Track: Rank metric

Prereqs: Fundamentals · Finite fields beyond F₂ · Linear codes
Next: From Hamming to rank · Code-based KEMs track · index

Secondary curated path for rank-metric code-based PQC. Goal: leave the Hamming-only story with a clear metric change, then reach LRPC / rank syndrome decoding intuition before optional TIT leaves and lab WIP.

How to use

1. Finish shared Fundamentals (especially vectors / matrices and polynomials).
2. On the main bridge, at least reach Finite fields beyond F₂ and Linear codes.
3. Walk this track’s bridge + concepts below.
4. Optional: TIT / ePrint explainers when added via research-pqc-learn.
5. Frontier: lab WIP under projects/wip/ (ideal blockwise LRPC, related cryptanalysis) — research, not default curriculum.

Core path

A. Shared entry

1. Finite fields beyond F₂
2. Linear codes
3. (Helpful) Syndrome decoding — Hamming twin for contrast

B. Rank bridge

1. From Hamming to rank

C. Rank concepts

1. Rank metric
2. LRPC codes
3. Rank syndrome decoding

D. Papers (optional leaves — no explainers required yet)

Prefer digested papers/tit-pqc/ rank / LRPC papers when expanding with research-pqc-learn (e.g. blockwise rank decoding). Keep them as leaves until must-prereqs above are solid.

E. Frontier / gaps

• Lab WIP: ideal blockwise LRPC / related projects under projects/wip/
• Research gaps ledger stays in gaps.yaml (scientific opens), not pedagogy holes

Mindmap (textual)

shared fundamentals + F_q + linear codes
                 ↓
     bridge: Hamming distance → rank distance
                 ↓
     concepts: rank metric → LRPC → rank SD
                 ↓
     optional TIT leaves / lab WIP cryptanalysis

Return anytime to the Hamming code-based KEMs track.