unforgeable optical tokens?

[Derek Atkins]

eli+ at zimbs4.srv.cs.cmu.edu writes:

> I can't dig up the memory, but I think I heard of a similar idea --
> random structure in transparent solid, difficult to copy -- used in
> some kind of tag or seal for nuclear security.  Can anyone remind me
> what this might have been?

This isn't security -- this is a small-form-factor physical ROM.  This
"read-only data crystal".  The fact that they cannot be duplicated
easily just means that you cannot use these tokens for real data
storage.  Imagine if they _were_ replicable..  Imagine keeping a
terabyte of backup data on one of these tokens!

>      Eli Brandt  |  eli+ at cs.cmu.edu  |  http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~eli/
>     (finished Ph.D., woohoo; looking for good work in the Seattle area)

-derek

PS: My Master's degree is from the Media Lab, so I can vouch for the
fact that reasonable work is done there ... ;)

-- 
       Derek Atkins
       Computer and Internet Security Consultant
       derek at ihtfp.com             www.ihtfp.com

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