Solving the Shortest Vector Problem in $2^n$ Time via Discrete Gaussian Sampling

Abstract: We give a randomized $2<sup>{n+o(n)}$-time and space algorithm for solving the Shortest Vector Problem (SVP) on n-dimensional Euclidean lattices. This improves on the previous fastest algorithm: the deterministic $\widetilde{O}(4<sup>n)$-time and $\widetilde{O}(2<sup>n)$-space algorithm of Micciancio and Voulgaris (STOC 2010, SIAM J. Comp. 2013). In fact, we give a conceptually simple algorithm that solves the (in our opinion, even more interesting) problem of discrete Gaussian sampling (DGS). More specifically, we show how to sample $2<sup>{n/2}$ vectors from the discrete Gaussian distribution at any parameter in $2<sup>{n+o(n)}$ time and space. (Prior work only solved DGS for very large parameters.) Our SVP result then follows from a natural reduction from SVP to DGS. We also show that our DGS algorithm implies a $2^{n + o(n)}$-time algorithm that approximates the Closest Vector Problem to within a factor of $1.97$. In addition, we give a more refined algorithm for DGS above the so-called smoothing parameter of the lattice, which can generate $2<sup>{n/2}$ discrete Gaussian samples in just $2<sup>{n/2+o(n)}$ time and space. Among other things, this implies a $2<sup>{n/2+o(n)}$-time and space algorithm for $1.93$-approximate decision SVP.