After leaving the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study, Director Li didn't stay in Jinling. Instead, he rushed back to Beijing overnight.
He spent two days visiting the top experts in the field of quantum computing at the major semiconductor research institutes in Beijing. He also asked them about the security aspects of quantum computing technology.
Director's office at the Microelectronics Research Center.
After Director Li explained his intentions and expressed his concerns about the security of quantum computer technology, Director Wu Jiancheng, who was over seventy years old, smiled and rejected his idea without hesitation.
"Your worries are unnecessary. In theory, quantum computers do pose a threat to the security of asymmetric encryption algorithms, but this technology can't be broken through in a short period of time.
"From the looks of it, even the most advanced quantum computer can only reach 20 qubits. Google's D-Wave is unique in this regard, achieving 80 qubits. However, that thing is actually very weak. It doesn't use quantum gates to control the qubits. Instead, it uses the quantum annealing algorithm to take a shortcut. Traditional supercomputers that use the same algorithm can even do better than it. There is a lot of controversy in the academic and industrial circles.
"Whether it's a real quantum computer with more than 20 qubits or a pseudo-quantum computer with more than 80 qubits, it's still a bit difficult to crack modern encryption technology. Take the most common RSA encryption algorithm as an example. With the difficulty of the widely used prime factorization problem, there is no problem at all with a quantum computer with less than 200 qubits. "
Director Li said cautiously, "What do you mean by no problem at all?"
Director Wu Jiancheng continued, "The cracking period is more than a year, which means that even a quantum computer with 200 qubits will take more than a year to crack your bank card password. During this time, if the key changes, everything will have to start from the beginning. "
In theory, no encryption rule would allow a public key to be used forever. When either party assessed that there might be a security risk, they would apply to replace the public key.
Director Li still didn't let him pass. He sighed and spoke in a comforting tone.
"The development of technology is a smooth process. When we master a real quantum computer, we will naturally develop corresponding encryption algorithms. We really don't need to worry too much about this!"
"But if …" Director Li tried to make up a reason and continued, "If … something like a technological explosion happens, and we or our enemies suddenly master quantum computer technology —"
"This is impossible." Director Wu Jiancheng interrupted Director Li and said without hesitation, "The so-called technological explosion is just a layman's term! For any new technology, there is a linear progression in time from discovery to maturity, especially in the 21st century. Scientific research has changed from individual work to team work. "
"If you think that quantum computer technology can make a breakthrough tomorrow, then you can definitely find earlier papers on 'decoherence' and 'noise processing' problems! I can give you the latest data in the database right now, and I can tell you with certainty that there is no good solution to the problems I mentioned so far! "
Director Li looked at Director Wu's confident expression and felt a little awkward.
He really wanted to tell him the truth, but this matter was a little too important. Everyone who knew about the situation had been repeatedly warned by him to keep it a secret, so he couldn't break this rule himself.
"… Isn't this just an assumption? You can't guarantee that other people won't hide the results. "
Director Wu Jiancheng was too lazy to argue with him. He reluctantly nodded and spoke.
"If it's like what you said, where a quantum computer pops out of a rock."
"Maybe it can really threaten the security of our information."
Hearing this, Director Li's heart was finally relieved, but another heavier stone was placed in his heart.
Sure enough, his worries weren't unfounded!
Fortunately, he discovered it in time, so there was still a chance to remedy everything …
After today's visit, Director Li went straight back to his office.
It took him a whole day to write the report, and then he took it to Chang 'an Street.
When he stood in the familiar office, he saw the old man sitting behind the mahogany table. He was wearing glasses and staring at the letter in his hand meticulously.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he felt like this letter was a bit familiar.
However, he didn't think too much about it. He reached out and gently knocked on the open door.
The old man looked at Director Li at the door and smiled faintly. He lowered the letter in his hand a few inches and spoke in a gentle tone.
"You're here?"
"Yeah … There is one thing I have to report to you."
Director Li nodded and walked forward. He said in a serious tone, "I went to Jinling two days ago, and our Academician Lu brought us another surprise."
"If it's a surprise, why are you so serious?"
After hearing Director Li's words, the old man smiled and raised his hand to signal him to stop. He then handed over the letter in his hand.
"You can take a look at this letter first."
Director Li hesitated for a second before he took the letter from the old man's hand.
After glancing through it, he was stunned at first, then a helpless smile appeared on his face, and he returned the letter to the smiling old man.
"It seems that Professor Lu has thought it through."
"Yeah." The old man nodded with a smile and said emotionally, "It is a blessing for China to have a scholar like Academician Lu."
After a pause, the smile on his face disappeared, and he put on a business-like expression as he continued.
"Tell me what you think about this letter."
Director Li pondered for a long time before speaking.
"My suggestion is to keep it a secret for now."
The old man's expression didn't change.
"Why?"
"Even though quantum computer technology has made a breakthrough, as Professor Lu warned us in the letter, our society doesn't have an encryption algorithm that can deal with this kind of decryption method."
Director Li paused for a second and observed the expression on the old man's face.
When he saw the old man nod, he relaxed and continued to speak.
"I suggest that we let the Chinese Academy of Sciences release some information first, so that society can be prepared for this advanced research. After all, if it's Professor Lu … "
Director Li had a helpless smile on his face.
"I'm afraid it will cause panic."
The old man nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with this point.
If this was a long-term process, it would be fine.
From the birth of a technology to maturity, society might have already adapted to the changes brought about by this technology.
However, if it was suddenly announced that quantum computer technology had achieved a breakthrough from less than a hundred qubits to more than a thousand qubits, it would undoubtedly be equivalent to announcing that the original encryption rules were invalid.
This would have an impact on the financial industry and all industries that relied on information security. It would be like an atomic bomb being dropped on people's heads. The entire society would have to use a drastic method to adapt to this drastic change.
If someone fanned the flames and added fuel to the fire, crazy things like "withdrawing all the money from the bank" and "stopping all online transactions" might really happen.
Considering how influential Professor Lu was …
There was no doubt that these things were going to happen.
After all, for this scholar who was a man of his word and never exaggerated, most people wouldn't doubt that the news that came out of his mouth might be fake.
After thinking for a long time, the old man said, "We can't hide this matter forever, we have to consider Academician Lu's feelings. Also, we have to consider the risks brought about by new technology, but preventing the birth of new technology is against the trend of history, so we can't do this. "
"I think so too." Director Li nodded and said, "So my suggestion is to let the Chinese Academy of Sciences release some rumors first. Then, use a research team that isn't so sensitive, but it's not small either. This way, we can artificially create hype in this area. Then, with the help of other propaganda, we can make quantum computers the next technological innovation. "
The old man: "What about on the other hand?"
Director Li: "On the other hand, just like what Academician Lu proposed! We must master an encryption algorithm that even a quantum computer can't crack! Once we can master this algorithm, all the risks that quantum computing may bring will be transformed into our advantage in this round of information technology revolution! "
The old man slapped his thigh and spoke with approval.
"Good point! Then who do you think … should we give this task to? "
Director Li looked at the old man's pupils and made a helpless expression.
Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the old man already had a suitable candidate in mind, he just wanted Director Li to suggest it.
"Information encryption is the specialty of mathematicians, and Academician Lu is the top mathematician in our country. Not to mention that he was the one who made the quantum computer, so no one knows how sharp this spear is. Even if it's just a psychological effect, the 'shield' created by him will be more secure than anyone else's. "
"I suggest that we let Professor Lu be in charge."
Hearing the answer that he expected, the old man's face showed a smile of approval.
"This is a good proposal, I will personally write a reply to Academician Lu and appoint him to complete this difficult and glorious task!
"As for the rest, just do as you say."
Director Li felt the heavy pressure on his shoulders, and he nodded heavily.
"Okay!"
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