Bilinear Groups

Definition ∞ Bilinear groups are a fundamental cryptographic construct that supports advanced cryptographic operations, particularly in areas like pairing-based cryptography. They consist of two groups, G1 and G2, and a target group G_T, linked by a non-degenerate bilinear map called ‘e’. This map, e(g1, g2), takes elements from G1 and G2 and produces an element in G_T, satisfying bilinearity and non-degeneracy properties. These properties are crucial for constructing protocols that require efficient verifiable computations and advanced encryption schemes.
Context ∞ The development and application of bilinear groups are of considerable interest in the research community for their potential to enhance the security and efficiency of cryptographic systems. Discussions often revolve around their role in enabling advanced functionalities within blockchain protocols, such as zero-knowledge proofs and more robust digital signature schemes, which are increasingly relevant for privacy-preserving digital assets and scalable distributed ledger technologies.