UPDATES

Progress Update – Authenticated Randomness Infrastructure Service (ARIS)

Date: 11/6/2025

Project Description

The Authenticated Randomness Infrastructure Service (ARIS) is a system that converts physical entropy into verified and cryptographically authenticated random data. It uses a helium–neon laser and the Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) to demonstrate how magnetic domain fluctuations can serve as a stable source of true randomness. On the software side, the project will include validation and authentication processes that apply test suites such as NIST SP 800-22, Dieharder, TestU01, and FIPS 140-3 to ensure statistical quality and reliability. The final goal is to deliver a trusted randomness platform that can provide verifiable and tamper-resistant random data to industries such as cryptography, finance, and gaming.

Completed Work and Current Status

• Laser Demonstration: The team has successfully demonstrated the laser’s functionality and confirmed its safe operation according to the required specifications.

• Materials Acquisition: The full materials list has been finalized, and all necessary components for the optical and electronic systems have been collected.

• Project Proposal 1: The team has completed and submitted the initial project proposal outlining the engineering goals, requirements, and ethical standards for ARIS . (To be made available soon)

• Team Coordination: Weekly meetings with Dr. Sakrat Khizroev and Dr. Stephen Murrell are ongoing to help guide the group’s progress, maintain focus on the project scope, and prevent misdirection.

• Project Naming: The group officially named the system Authenticated Randomness Infrastructure Service (ARIS) to reflect its goal of providing authenticated and verifiable randomness as a service.
  
  

Next Week’s Goals

• Hardware Preparation: Begin assembling the optical setup for the MOKE experiment using the finalized materials and verify that the laser alignment and optical path are stable.

• Initial Testing: Perform early measurements to observe random domain fluctuations and verify that balanced photodiodes can detect the expected optical variations.

• Software Pipeline: Continue developing the validation and authentication framework that will receive raw entropy data, perform statistical testing, and attach timestamps and digital signatures.

• Documentation: Start recording experimental data, calibration settings, and hardware configurations for the upcoming interim report.

• Advisory Meetings: Discuss laser testing progress with Dr. Khizroev and review the software validation approach with Dr. Murrell to ensure all components remain on schedule.

Potential Risks and Discussion Points

• Hardware Calibration Delays: Misalignment or instability in the optical system could delay initial testing and require additional time for calibration.

• Data Integration: Synchronizing the FPGA output with the software validation pipeline may introduce unexpected challenges during data transfer.

• Safety Protocols: Adherence to Class 3R laser safety standards remains essential, particularly during the early testing phase.

• Project Scope: Maintaining focus on the auditing and certification functions of ARIS is critical to avoid spreading resources too thin across unrelated goals.

MOCK DESIGN 2 (11/6/25)

MOCK DESIGN (10/11/25)

Progress Update – Quantum RNG Auditing Project

Date: 9/22/2025

Project Description

Our project focuses on building a quantum random number generation (QRNG) system using laser-based quantum effects and integrating it with a software platform that validates, certifies, and delivers randomness for use in financial modeling. The hardware side involves setting up and calibrating the laser system to produce physically unpredictable random numbers. The software side will implement validation pipelines using industry-standard test suites (NIST STS, Dieharder, TestU01, FIPS 140-3) to ensure continuous quality monitoring. The ultimate goal is to deliver randomness that is auditable, tamper-resistant, and easy to integrate into Monte Carlo simulation frameworks for applications such as financial auditing and risk modeling

Completed Work / Current Status

• Laser Research & Setup: The team has learned how the engineering building’s laser system works, including maintenance and safe operation procedures.

• Randomness Validation Research: Johnathon investigated multiple test suites for randomness quality (NIST STS, Dieharder, TestU01, FIPS 140-3) and started planning quality checks for variance and reliability
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• Application Focus: As a group, we narrowed our target use case to financial auditing, identifying where hardware-based randomness provides a measurable advantage over pseudo-random generators.

• Knowledge Building: Joel deepened understanding of laser-based quantum effects and QRNG principles; Cami researched data pipelines and auditing systems, learning where hardware randomness can improve trustworthiness; Max investigated potential applications and concluded that auditing was the most impactful choice.
  
  

Next Week’s Goals

• Lab Preparation: Clean up and organize the lab space dedicated to the project by 9/26.

• Laser Setup: Finalize resource list and order parts needed for laser calibration; begin preparation for physical setup.

• Software Architecture: Continue designing the data pipeline and backend structure for the auditing platform, with a target of completing the high-level design by fall break.

• Knowledge Sharing: Joel and Johnathon will continue studying the Kerr effect and present a short briefing to the team on how it may be integrated into the hardware approach by the end of September.
  
  

Potential Risks / Discussion Points

• Hardware Delays: There is a risk of delays in ordering or calibrating laser components, which could push back our testing schedule.

• Safety and Access: Ensuring safe access and use of the laser remains a priority; additional training may be needed before initial testing.

• Software Complexity: Balancing thorough validation pipelines with timely development is crucial to avoid bottlenecks later in the semester.

• Project Scope: Keeping the focus narrow (auditing application) is important to avoid overextending resources while still demonstrating the hardware’s value.

Brainstorm Update - Senior Design Project

Date: 9/5/2025

Project Description

The senior design project is focused on the analysis of magnetic nanoparticles as a medium for data signal generation. The core concept involves shooting a laser through a thin film containing these nanoparticles. The subsequent measurement of the laser's properties as it passes through the film will produce a signal. This signal, potentially random, will then be processed using a variety of tools, including an FPGA board or a more accessible software solution like MATLAB. The final processed data will be used for statistical modeling, with potential applications in financial analysis, specifically for stock option pricing, and/or auditing.

A key component of this project is the ability to calibrate the magnetic nanoparticles. This will be achieved by using a high-powered magnet in our lab, capable of producing a magnetic field of one Tesla. Measurements from this calibration process will be taken using one of our lab's specialized machines to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Next Week's Goals

• Initial Information Gathering: Conduct preliminary research on the components and methodologies involved, specifically focusing on the properties of magnetic nanoparticles and the equipment required for the laser and measurement setup.

• Weekly Advisor Meeting: Meet with the project advisor to discuss the progress and clarify key aspects. The specific goals for this meeting are to:

  • Establish a rough timeline for the project, outlining major milestones and deadlines.

  • Discuss and identify materials for learning more about the specific laser and magnet technologies required.

  • Gain clarification on the software components, specifically the choice between an FPGA board and MATLAB, and the required programming knowledge for each.

Potential Risks and Discussion Points

1. Sourcing Materials: A major potential risk is the need to acquire higher-quality films of magnetic nanoparticles. It has been identified that the best quality may require sourcing from a specialized location like Zurich, which could introduce delays and logistical challenges.

2. AI Integration: One group member has expressed a strong desire to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into the project. This is a point that needs to be clarified with the advisor and the group to determine if and how AI can be integrated in a meaningful way that aligns with the project's overall scope and goals.

3. Project Marketing/Angle: A crucial discussion point for the advisor meeting is defining the primary angle or focus of the project for presentation and marketing purposes. This will help frame the project's narrative, whether it is marketed as an advanced statistical modeling tool, a novel material science application, or a cutting-edge sensor technology.