A 2D Cryptographic Hash Function Incorporating Homomorphic Encryption for Secure Digital Signatures.

Abstract

User authentication is a critical aspect of any information exchange systemwhich verifies the identities of individuals seeking access to sensitive information. Conventionally, this approachrelies on establishing robust digital signature protocolswhich employ asymmetric encryption techniques involving a key pair consisting of a public key and its matching private key. In this article, a user verification platform constructed using integrated circuits (ICs) with atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) memtransistors is presented. First, generation of secure cryptographic keys is demonstrated by exploiting the inherent stochasticity of carrier trapping and detrapping at the 2D/oxide interface trap sites. Subsequently, the ability to manipulate the functionality of logical NOR is leveraged to create a secure one-way hash function which when homomorphically operated upon with NAND, XOR, OR, NOT, and AND logic circuits generate distinct digital signatures. These signatures when subsequently decrypted, verify the authenticity of the receiver while ensuring complete preservation of data integrity and confidentiality as the underlying information is never revealed. Finally, the advantages of implementing a NOR-based hashing techniques in comparison to the conventional XOR-based encryption method are established. This demonstration highlights the potential of 2D-based ICs in developing critical hardware information security primitives.