Glossary
A
AURORA-9 AuroraQ's hybrid quantum processor featuring 256 error-corrected logical qubits. Combines superconducting and neutral atom architectures for optimal cryptographic testing performance.
AURORA-10 Next-generation quantum processor planned for 2027 with 1,024 logical qubits and enhanced capabilities for testing cryptographically relevant attack scenarios.
C
CRYSTALS-Dilithium A lattice-based digital signature algorithm selected by NIST for post-quantum cryptography standardization. Used in HALO-Core for quantum-resistant signatures.
CRYSTALS-Kyber A lattice-based key encapsulation mechanism selected by NIST for PQC standardization. Used in HALO-Core for quantum-safe key exchange.
Coherence Time The duration a qubit can maintain its quantum state before decoherence occurs. AURORA-9 achieves >100 microseconds, allowing for complex cryptographic circuits.
Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer (CRQC) A quantum computer powerful enough to break real-world cryptographic systems (e.g., 2048-bit RSA or 256-bit ECDSA). Estimated to require ~4,000 logical qubits.
D
Duality Principle AuroraQ's core philosophy: "The same technology that can break the world must also be the one that saves it." Building quantum attack and defense simultaneously.
DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) Governance structure for $HALO token holders to propose and vote on protocol changes, treasury spending, and ecosystem decisions.
E
ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) Current standard for blockchain signatures used in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most cryptocurrencies. Vulnerable to Shor's algorithm on quantum computers.
Error Correction Techniques for detecting and correcting errors in quantum computations caused by decoherence and noise. AURORA-9 uses surface codes with 7-distance error correction.
Entropy Folding AuroraQ's innovation combining quantum random entropy with post-quantum key material to create unforgeable cryptographic signatures.
F
Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing Quantum computing with error correction sufficient to run long algorithms reliably. AURORA-9 achieves fault tolerance with 256 logical qubits from ~10,000 physical qubits.
FALCON A lattice-based signature algorithm (Fast Fourier Lattice-based Compact Signatures over NTRU) selected by NIST as an alternative PQC standard.
G
Grover's Algorithm A quantum algorithm providing quadratic speedup for unstructured search problems. Effectively halves the security of symmetric encryption (e.g., AES-256 becomes AES-128 equivalent).
H
HALO Post-quantum cryptographic framework developed by AuroraQ in partnership with NIST and QRL. Stands for the project name representing quantum defense.
HALO-Core Software library implementing post-quantum cryptographic primitives (signatures, key exchange) with quantum-verified security. Drop-in replacement for classical crypto.
HALO-Net Blockchain layer supporting quantum-safe transactions natively. Built on Solana for performance, with hybrid signature support (PQC + legacy).
HALO-Bridge Migration toolkit enabling existing blockchains to upgrade to quantum-safe addresses and transactions without hard forks or fund loss.
HALIP (HALO Improvement Proposal) Formal process for proposing technical upgrades to the HALO protocol. Similar to BIPs (Bitcoin) or EIPs (Ethereum).
Harvest Now, Decrypt Later Attack strategy where adversaries capture encrypted data today and store it for future decryption once quantum computers become available. Threatens long-term data confidentiality.
Hybrid Quantum Computer Quantum computer combining multiple qubit technologies (e.g., superconducting + neutral atoms) to leverage complementary strengths. AURORA-9's key innovation.
L
Lattice-Based Cryptography Post-quantum cryptographic schemes based on hard problems in lattice mathematics (e.g., Learning With Errors). Foundation of Dilithium and Kyber.
Lattice-XMSS Fusion AuroraQ's innovation combining lattice-based signatures (Dilithium) with hash-based signatures (XMSS) for enhanced security and auditability.
Logical Qubit Error-corrected qubit formed from multiple physical qubits using quantum error correction. AURORA-9 has 256 logical qubits from ~10,000 physical qubits.
N
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) U.S. agency responsible for setting cryptographic standards. Led the Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization process (2016-2024).
Neutral Atom Quantum Computer Quantum computer using individual atoms trapped in optical tweezers and manipulated via Rydberg interactions. Offers long coherence times.
P
PQC (Post-Quantum Cryptography) Cryptographic algorithms designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers. Also called quantum-resistant or quantum-safe cryptography.
Physical Qubit Individual quantum bit subject to errors from decoherence and noise. Multiple physical qubits are combined to form one logical qubit.
Q
QRL (Quantum Resistant Ledger) The first blockchain designed with quantum-resistant signatures from launch (using XMSS). AuroraQ's primary blockchain integration partner.
Quantum Volume Holistic metric for quantum computer performance combining qubit count, gate fidelity, connectivity, and error rates. AURORA-9 achieves quantum volume of 128.
Quantum Verification Layer (QVL) AuroraQ's process for testing cryptographic schemes against actual quantum hardware (AURORA-9) to provide empirical validation of quantum resistance.
QRNG (Quantum Random Number Generator) True random number generator using quantum phenomena (e.g., photon polarization). AURORA-9 includes integrated QRNG providing 1 Gbps entropy.
Qubit (Quantum Bit) Basic unit of quantum information. Unlike classical bits (0 or 1), qubits exist in superposition of both states simultaneously.
R
RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) Widely-used public-key cryptography algorithm based on factoring large numbers. Vulnerable to Shor's algorithm on quantum computers.
S
Shor's Algorithm Quantum algorithm for efficiently factoring large numbers and solving discrete logarithm problems. Threatens RSA, ECDSA, and most current public-key cryptography.
SPL (Solana Program Library) Token standard on Solana blockchain. $HALO is deployed as an SPL token.
Superconducting Qubit Type of qubit using superconducting circuits operating at cryogenic temperatures (~15 mK). Offers fast gate operations. Used in AURORA-9.
Surface Code Type of quantum error correction code arranging qubits in a 2D lattice. Efficient for fault-tolerant quantum computing. Used in AURORA-9.
T
TPS (Transactions Per Second) Measure of blockchain throughput. HALO-Net achieves 10,000+ TPS using Solana infrastructure.
X
XMSS (eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme) Hash-based digital signature algorithm providing quantum-resistant signatures using Merkle trees. Stateful but highly secure. Used by QRL and integrated into HALO-Core.
Token-Specific Terms
$HALO Token Native utility and governance token of the AuroraQ ecosystem. SPL token on Solana with 1 billion fixed supply.
Access Credits Usage fees paid in $HALO for quantum compute time, API calls, and HALO-Bridge services. 50% burned, 50% to treasury.
Staking Locking $HALO tokens to secure the network and earn rewards (8-12% APY). Required for running validator nodes.
Slashing Penalty mechanism where misbehaving validators lose a portion of staked $HALO (permanently burned). Protects network integrity.
Unbonding Period 7-day waiting period after unstaking before tokens become transferable. Prevents rapid exit during attacks.
Acronyms
APY: Annual Percentage Yield
DAO: Decentralized Autonomous Organization
DEX: Decentralized Exchange
ECDSA: Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm
HALIP: HALO Improvement Proposal
NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology
PQC: Post-Quantum Cryptography
QRL: Quantum Resistant Ledger
QRNG: Quantum Random Number Generator
QVL: Quantum Verification Layer
RSA: Rivest-Shamir-Adleman
SPL: Solana Program Library
TGE: Token Generation Event
TPS: Transactions Per Second
XMSS: eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme
Mathematical Terms
Discrete Logarithm Problem Mathematical problem underlying ECDSA security. Solvable by quantum computers using Shor's algorithm.
Factoring Decomposing a number into prime factors. RSA security relies on factoring being hard. Quantum computers can factor efficiently.
Lattice Problem Mathematical problem involving finding short vectors in high-dimensional lattices. Believed to be quantum-resistant.
Learning With Errors (LWE) Mathematical problem forming the basis of lattice-based cryptography. Considered hard even for quantum computers.
Timeline Terms
Q-Day Hypothetical day when a cryptographically relevant quantum computer first breaks real-world encryption. Estimated 2027-2035.
NIST PQC Standards Finalized in 2024, these are the first globally recognized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms (Dilithium, Kyber, FALCON, SPHINCS+).
Quantum Advantage Point at which quantum computers outperform classical computers for specific tasks. Achieved for some problems, not yet for cryptography breaking.
Quantum Supremacy Demonstrating a quantum computer can perform a calculation no classical computer can complete in reasonable time. Achieved by Google (2019).
This glossary is continuously updated. Last revision: 2025
Last updated