A CRT algorithm for constructing genus 2 curves over finite fields

Kirsten Eisentraeger, Kristin Lauter

Published 2004-05-15, updated 2007-01-11Version 2

We present a new method for constructing genus 2 curves over a finite field with a given number of points on its Jacobian. This method has important applications in cryptography, where groups of prime order are used as the basis for discrete-log based cryptosystems. Our algorithm provides an alternative to the traditional CM method for constructing genus 2 curves. For a quartic CM field K with primitive CM type, we compute the Igusa class polynomials modulo p for certain small primes p and then use the Chinese remainder theorem (CRT) and a bound on the denominators to construct the class polynomials. We also provide an algorithm for determining endomorphism rings of ordinary Jacobians of genus 2 curves over finite fields, generalizing the work of Kohel for elliptic curves.