Abstract
We outline a quantum-enabled blockchain architecture based on a consortium of quantum servers. The network is hybridised, utilising digital systems for sharing and processing classical information combined with a fibre-optic infrastructure and quantum devices for transmitting and processing quantum information. We deliver an energy efficient interactive mining protocol enacted between clients and servers which uses quantum information encoded in light and removes the need for trust in network infrastructure. Instead, clients on the network need only trust the transparent network code, and that their devices adhere to the rules of quantum physics. To demonstrate the energy efficiency of the mining protocol, we elaborate upon the results of two previous experiments (one performed over 1km of optical fibre) as applied to this work. Finally, we address some key vulnerabilities, explore open questions, and observe forward-compatibility with the quantum internet and quantum computing technologies.
Highlights
Blockchain technology has shown potential for transforming traditional industry with its key characteristics of decentralization, transparency, persistency, and auditability
A single bit of quantum information is called a quantum bit, or qubit, and in the case of optical encodings, information is encoded onto a photonic qubit using degrees of freedom which correspond to physical parameters of the photon.[11]
The architecture we propose consists of i) a network consortium of quantum servers, comprised of quantum optical devices which generate light for encoding quantum information, ii) a pool of clients who operate quantum modems for decoding quantum information stored in light, and iii) an optical fibre network which connects the client’s quantum modems to the quantum servers
Summary
Blockchain technology has shown potential for transforming traditional industry with its key characteristics of decentralization, transparency, persistency, and auditability. Blockchain consensus faces challenges too, for example, some popular proof-of-work algorithms result in energy waste whereas proof-of-stake may result in resource or wealth concentration.[5,6,7,8] As a result, fundamental redesign of blockchain architectures may be required to ensure the technology is capable of widespread acceptance whilst retaining its attractive qualities.[9, 10]. Quantum optical devices are a new type of network infrastructure for secure transmission and processing of quantum information. These devices offer advantages over traditional network infrastructures due to the fact that the information is transmitted, encoded, LEDGER VOL 4 (2019) 82-107 and decoded using physical systems which adhere to the laws of quantum physics. Devices never trust unauthenticated data or code during boot-time; v. Devices never trust unauthenticated data during run-time; and vii. Cryptographic keys are protected, or are one-time use only (depending on protocol).[142]
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