Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1309.4114 · Scientific Reports

Random bits, true and unbiased, from atmospheric turbulence

Davide G. Marangon, Giuseppe Vallone, Paolo Villoresi

Published Jun 30, 2014• 31 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Random numbers represent a fundamental ingredient for secure communications and numerical simulation as well as to games and in general to Information Science. Physical processes with intrinsic unpredictability may be exploited to generate genuine random numbers. The optical propagation in strong atmospheric turbulence is here taken to this purpose, by observing a laser beam after a 143 km free-space path. In addition, we developed an algorithm to extract the randomness of the beam images at the receiver without post-processing. The numbers passed very selective randomness tests for qualification as genuine random numbers. The extracting algorithm can be easily generalized to random images generated by different physical processes.

DOI
10.1038/srep05490

Related papers

Characterization of the atmosphere as a random bit-stream generator

Carlos O. Font, David Bonanno, Hunter Long +2 more

Characterizing atmospheric turbulence through modeling dates back to the 1960's. For decades scientists have studied how to mitigate the effects of the atmospheric turbulence on communications and imaging systems, but learning how to use those properties of the atmosphere instead of mitigate them raise new challenges. Due to the fact that atmospheric turbulence is inherently a random process, it can be an ideal "key generator" for strongly secure information transfer. The purpose of this effort is to investigate to what extent the atmospheric turbulence can be exploited as a robust random number generator. In this paper we report the progress in characterizing the atmosphere and a random bitstream generator.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 1, 2012•1 citation

Random number generation and distribution out of thin (or thick) air

N Bornman, A Forbes, Achim Kempf

Abstract Much scientific work has focused on the generation of random numbers as well as the distribution of said random numbers for use as a cryptographic key. However, emphasis is often placed on one of the two to the exclusion of the other, but both are often simultaneously important. Here we present a simple hybrid free-space link scheme for both the generation and secure distribution of (pseudo-)random numbers between two remote parties, drawing the randomness from the stochastic nature of atmospheric turbulence. The atmosphere is simulated using digital micro-mirror devices for efficient, all-digital control. After outlining one potential algorithm for extracting random numbers based on finding the centre-of-mass (COM) of turbulent beam intensity profiles, the statistics of our experimental COM measurements is studied and found to agree well with the literature. After implementing the scheme in the laboratory, Alice and Bob are able to establish a string of correlated random bits with an 84% fidelity. Finally, we make a simple modification to the original setup in an attempt to thwart the hacking attempts of an eavesdropper, Eve, who has access to the free-space portion of the link. We find that the fidelity between Eve’s key and that of Alice/Bob is 54%, only slightly above the theoretical minimum. Atmospheric turbulence could hence be leveraged as an added security measure, rather than being seen as a drawback.

arXiv:1912.08677•Journal of Optics•May 20, 2020•8 citations

Optical key distribution system using atmospheric turbulence as the randomness generating function: classical optical protocol for information assurance

Marvin D. Drake, Christophe F. Bas, David R. Gervais +6 more

We describe an experimental laboratory system that generates and distributes random binary sequence bit streams between two optical terminals (labeled Alice and Bob). The random binary sequence is generated through probing the optical channel of a turbulent atmosphere between the two terminals with coincident laser beams. The two laser beams experience differential phase delays while propagating through the atmospheric optical channel. The differential phase delays are detected and sampled at each terminal to yield raw random bit streams. The random bit streams are processed to remove bit errors and, through privacy amplification, to yield a bit stream known only to Alice and Bob. The same chaotic physical mechanism that provides randomness also provides confidentiality. The laboratory system yielded secret key bit rates of a few bits/second . For external optical channels over longer channel lengths with atmospheric turbulence levels, secret bit rates of 10 s of bits/second are predicted.

Optical Engineering•May 29, 2013•15 citations

Characterization of the temporal phase fluctuations in a weak atmospheric turbulence regime as a random bit-stream generator

Carlos O. Font, G. C. Gilbreath, Sergio R. Restaino +3 more

This paper investigates the extent to which atmospheric turbulence can be exploited as a random bit generator. Atmospheric turbulence is considered an inherently random process due to the complex inhomogeneous system composition and its sensitivity to changes in pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. A self-calibrating Mach-Zehnder interferometer was used to collect phase fluctuations in the temporal domain introduced to an optical beam propagating through the atmosphere. The recorded phase fluctuations were converted into bit streams that were further analyzed in order to search for evidence of randomness. Empirical data and results that characterize the degree of randomness produced in the temporal phase component of an optical wave propagating through the atmosphere are presented.

Applied Optics•Jul 29, 2015•1 citation

Quantum optics in the turbulent atmosphere: fundamental issues and applications

Andrii Semenov, M. Klen, I. Pechonkin

Quantum light propagation through turbulent atmosphere has become a subject of intensive research, spanning both theoretical and experimental studies. This interest is driven by its important applications in free-space quantum communication, remote quantum sensing, and environmental monitoring. At the same time, this phenomenon itself poses an intriguing fundamental problem. A consistent theoretical description typically makes explicit assumptions about the measurement scheme at the receiver station and/or the method of quantum-information encoding. A common and straightforward approach encodes the information in quantum states of a quasi-monochromatic mode, representing a pulsed Gaussian beam. Atmospheric turbulence induces random distortions of the pulse shape and, consequently, random fluctuations of the transmittance through the receiver aperture. These fluctuations, characterized by the probability distribution of transmittance (PDT), directly affect the quantum state of the received light. In this paper we examine various analytical models of the PDT, validate them through numerical simulations, and assess their range of applicability. Furthermore, we extend the analysis beyond the standard ensemble-averaging approach, recognizing that realistic experiments typically involve time averaging. This requires a detailed examination of the underlying random process, including the study of temporal correlations and their impact on nonclassical properties of electromagnetic radiation.

arXiv:2509.06022•SPIE Quantum Technologies for Defence and Security•Oct 29, 2025•1 citation

High-Speed and Bias-Free Optical Random Number Generator

Wei Wei, Guodong Xie, Anhong Dang +1 more

True randomness is critical to secure communication in both quantum and classical regimes. We propose an approach of true random number generation based on the intrinsic randomness of spontaneous emission. In this approach, a method of random bit extraction was employed to extract true random bits simultaneously as the measurement of the physical entropy source. The random bits generated by the true random number generators have been statistically verified to be bias-free and mutually independent. With the current experimental setup, 7 random bits can be generated in parallel at a rate up to 40 GHz.

IEEE Photonics Technology Letters•Dec 20, 2011•59 citations
Random numbers represent a fundamental ingredient for secure communications and numerical simulation as well as to games and in general to Information Science. Physical processes with intrinsic unpredictability may be exploited to generate genuine random numbers. The optical propagation in strong atmospheric turbulence is here taken to this purpose, by observing a laser beam after a 143 km free-space path. In addition, we developed an algorithm to extract the randomness of the beam images at the receiver without post-processing. The numbers passed very selective randomness tests for qualification as genuine random numbers. The extracting algorithm can be easily generalized to random images generated by different physical processes.
Characterizing atmospheric turbulence through modeling dates back to the 1960's. For decades scientists have studied how to mitigate the effects of the atmospheric turbulence on communications and imaging systems, but learning how to use those properties of the atmosphere instead of mitigate them raise new challenges. Due to the fact that atmospheric turbulence is inherently a random process, it can be an ideal "key generator" for strongly secure information transfer. The purpose of this effort is to investigate to what extent the atmospheric turbulence can be exploited as a robust random number generator. In this paper we report the progress in characterizing the atmosphere and a random bitstream generator.
Abstract Much scientific work has focused on the generation of random numbers as well as the distribution of said random numbers for use as a cryptographic key. However, emphasis is often placed on one of the two to the exclusion of the other, but both are often simultaneously important. Here we present a simple hybrid free-space link scheme for both the generation and secure distribution of (pseudo-)random numbers between two remote parties, drawing the randomness from the stochastic nature of atmospheric turbulence. The atmosphere is simulated using digital micro-mirror devices for efficient, all-digital control. After outlining one potential algorithm for extracting random numbers based on finding the centre-of-mass (COM) of turbulent beam intensity profiles, the statistics of our experimental COM measurements is studied and found to agree well with the literature. After implementing the scheme in the laboratory, Alice and Bob are able to establish a string of correlated random bits with an 84% fidelity. Finally, we make a simple modification to the original setup in an attempt to thwart the hacking attempts of an eavesdropper, Eve, who has access to the free-space portion of the link. We find that the fidelity between Eve’s key and that of Alice/Bob is 54%, only slightly above the theoretical minimum. Atmospheric turbulence could hence be leveraged as an added security measure, rather than being seen as a drawback.
We describe an experimental laboratory system that generates and distributes random binary sequence bit streams between two optical terminals (labeled Alice and Bob). The random binary sequence is generated through probing the optical channel of a turbulent atmosphere between the two terminals with coincident laser beams. The two laser beams experience differential phase delays while propagating through the atmospheric optical channel. The differential phase delays are detected and sampled at each terminal to yield raw random bit streams. The random bit streams are processed to remove bit errors and, through privacy amplification, to yield a bit stream known only to Alice and Bob. The same chaotic physical mechanism that provides randomness also provides confidentiality. The laboratory system yielded secret key bit rates of a few bits/second . For external optical channels over longer channel lengths with atmospheric turbulence levels, secret bit rates of 10 s of bits/second are predicted.
This paper investigates the extent to which atmospheric turbulence can be exploited as a random bit generator. Atmospheric turbulence is considered an inherently random process due to the complex inhomogeneous system composition and its sensitivity to changes in pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. A self-calibrating Mach-Zehnder interferometer was used to collect phase fluctuations in the temporal domain introduced to an optical beam propagating through the atmosphere. The recorded phase fluctuations were converted into bit streams that were further analyzed in order to search for evidence of randomness. Empirical data and results that characterize the degree of randomness produced in the temporal phase component of an optical wave propagating through the atmosphere are presented.
Quantum light propagation through turbulent atmosphere has become a subject of intensive research, spanning both theoretical and experimental studies. This interest is driven by its important applications in free-space quantum communication, remote quantum sensing, and environmental monitoring. At the same time, this phenomenon itself poses an intriguing fundamental problem. A consistent theoretical description typically makes explicit assumptions about the measurement scheme at the receiver station and/or the method of quantum-information encoding. A common and straightforward approach encodes the information in quantum states of a quasi-monochromatic mode, representing a pulsed Gaussian beam. Atmospheric turbulence induces random distortions of the pulse shape and, consequently, random fluctuations of the transmittance through the receiver aperture. These fluctuations, characterized by the probability distribution of transmittance (PDT), directly affect the quantum state of the received light. In this paper we examine various analytical models of the PDT, validate them through numerical simulations, and assess their range of applicability. Furthermore, we extend the analysis beyond the standard ensemble-averaging approach, recognizing that realistic experiments typically involve time averaging. This requires a detailed examination of the underlying random process, including the study of temporal correlations and their impact on nonclassical properties of electromagnetic radiation.
True randomness is critical to secure communication in both quantum and classical regimes. We propose an approach of true random number generation based on the intrinsic randomness of spontaneous emission. In this approach, a method of random bit extraction was employed to extract true random bits simultaneously as the measurement of the physical entropy source. The random bits generated by the true random number generators have been statistically verified to be bias-free and mutually independent. With the current experimental setup, 7 random bits can be generated in parallel at a rate up to 40 GHz.