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:1608.05155 · Optics Express

Quantum random number generation enhanced by weak-coherent states interference

Thiago Ferreira da Silva, GUILHERME BARRETO XAVIER, Gustavo Castro do Amaral, Guilherme P. Temporão, Jean Pierre von der Weid

Published Aug 15, 2016• 12 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose and demonstrate a technique for quantum random number generation based on the random population of the output spatial modes of a beam splitter when both inputs are simultaneously fed with indistinguishable weak coherent states. We simulate and experimentally validate the probability of generation of random bits as a function of the average photon number per input, and compare it to the traditional approach of a single weak coherent state transmitted through a beam-splitter, showing an improvement of up to 32%. The ensuing interference phenomenon reduces the probability of coincident counts between the detectors associated with bits 0 and 1, thus increasing the probability of occurrence of a valid output. A long bit string is assessed by a standard randomness test suite with good confidence. Our proposal can be easily implemented and opens attractive performance gains without a significant trade-off.

DOI
10.1364/oe.24.019574

Related papers

Proposal for a quantum random number generator using coherent light and a non-classical observable

Christopher C. Gerry, Richard J. Birrittella, Paul M. Alsing +3 more

The prototype quantum random number (random bit) generator (QRNG) consists of one photon at a time falling on a 50:50 beam splitter followed by random detection in one or the other output beams due to the irreducible probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Due to the difficulties in producing single photons on demand, in practice, pulses of weak coherent (laser) light are used. In this paper, we take a different approach, one that uses moderate coherent light. It is shown that a QRNG can be implemented by performing photon-number parity measurements. For moderate coherent light, the probabilities of obtaining even or odd parity in photon counts are 0.5 each. Photon counting with single-photon resolution can be performed through use of a cascade of beam splitters and single-photon detectors, as was done recently in a photon-number parity-based interferometry experiment involving coherent light. We highlight the point that unlike most quantum-based random number generators, our proposal does not require the use of classical de-biasing algorithms or post-processing of the generated bit sequence.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Feb 15, 2022•5 citations

Proposal for a quantum random number generator using coherent light an a non-classical observable

Christopher C. Gerry, Richard J. Birrittella, Paul M. Alsing +3 more

The prototype quantum random number (random bit) generators (QRNG) consists of one photon at a time falling on a $50:50$ beam splitter followed by random detection in one or the other other output beams due to the irreducible probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Due to the difficulties in producing single photons on demand, in practice, pulses of weak coherent (laser) light are used. In this paper we take a different approach, one that uses moderate coherent light. It is shown that a QRNG can be implemented by performing photon-number parity measurements. For moderate coherent light, the probabilities for obtaining even or odd parity in photon counts are $0.5$ each. Photon counting with single-photon resolution can be performed through use of a cascade of beam splitters and single-photon detectors as was done recently in a photon-number parity-based interferometry experiment involving coherent light.

arXiv:2108.08743•Aug 19, 2021•0 citations

Random bit generation using coherent state and threshold detectors at 1550 nanometers

Elisa F. Carneiro, Felipe Calliari, Gustavo Castro do Amaral +1 more

We theoretically propose and experimentally validate a practical random bit generation method based on the detections of a coherent state in the few-photon regime by a gated single-photon threshold detector, operating at the telecom wavelength of 1550 nanometers. By fine tuning the mean number of photons per pulse of a laser beam directed to the single-photon detector, a 50-50 chance of detection or no-detection is reached; under this condition, detections inside the gate window are treated as "1"s, while "0"s are associated with the absence of detections. The same method could also be applied in a free-running single-photon detector for increased throughput by chopping the light signal instead of gating the detector. Both hardware implementations yielded bit strings, which were evaluated by a standard randomness test suite with good confidence. Despite the yet low rates achieved by the proposed method, its hardware compatibility with quantum key distribution setups makes it an interesting candidate for random number generation within the context of practical quantum communications.

Applied Optics•Aug 11, 2017•3 citations

Light on a beam splitter: More randomness with single photons

Lukas Oberreiter, Ilja Gerhardt

Abstract One of the most fundamental quantum random number generators is implemented with light impinging onto a beam splitter, and two single photon detectors at its output. Often, this generator is described as “a photon which takes one or other path towards a detector”. The input state of light in conjunction with the detector response is relevant for the amount, the pattern, and the correlation of the generated clicks. Only a fraction of all generator outcomes, the min‐entropy, can be used as a further resource for true randomness. This paper addresses the difference in the common description with incoming single photons and the often implemented scheme with a weak coherent light source, such as an attenuated laser. For this very fundamental and widely used configuration the amount of usable entropy is compared. If single photons from an anti‐bunched light source are supplied, the amount of entropy is higher than for the case of a supplied coherent state – although the latter can be arbitrarily bright unlike the single photon source. image

arXiv:1411.3499•Laser & Photonics Review•Nov 18, 2015•29 citations

Quantum random number generator using photon-number path entanglement

Osung Kwon, Young‐Wook Cho, Yoon-Ho Kim

We report an experimental implementation of quantum random number generator based on the photon-number-path entangled state. The photon-number-path entangled state is prepared by means of two-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel quantum interference at a beam splitter. The randomness in our scheme is of truly quantum mechanical origin as it comes from the projection measurement of the entangled two-photon state. The generated bit sequences satisfy the standard randomness test.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jul 29, 2010•9 citations

Quantum random number generator based on quantum nature of vacuum fluctuations

A. E. Ivanova, Sergey A. Chivilikhin, Artur V. Gleim

Quantum random number generator (QRNG) allows obtaining true random bit sequences. In QRNG based on quantum nature of vacuum, optical beam splitter with two inputs and two outputs is normally used. We compare mathematical descriptions of spatial beam splitter and fiber Y-splitter in the quantum model for QRNG, based on homodyne detection. These descriptions were identical, that allows to use fiber Y-splitters in practical QRNG schemes, simplifying the setup. Also we receive relations between the input radiation and the resulting differential current in homodyne detector. We experimentally demonstrate possibility of true random bits generation by using QRNG based on homodyne detection with Y-splitter.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Nov 1, 2017•4 citations
We propose and demonstrate a technique for quantum random number generation based on the random population of the output spatial modes of a beam splitter when both inputs are simultaneously fed with indistinguishable weak coherent states. We simulate and experimentally validate the probability of generation of random bits as a function of the average photon number per input, and compare it to the traditional approach of a single weak coherent state transmitted through a beam-splitter, showing an improvement of up to 32%. The ensuing interference phenomenon reduces the probability of coincident counts between the detectors associated with bits 0 and 1, thus increasing the probability of occurrence of a valid output. A long bit string is assessed by a standard randomness test suite with good confidence. Our proposal can be easily implemented and opens attractive performance gains without a significant trade-off.
The prototype quantum random number (random bit) generator (QRNG) consists of one photon at a time falling on a 50:50 beam splitter followed by random detection in one or the other output beams due to the irreducible probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Due to the difficulties in producing single photons on demand, in practice, pulses of weak coherent (laser) light are used. In this paper, we take a different approach, one that uses moderate coherent light. It is shown that a QRNG can be implemented by performing photon-number parity measurements. For moderate coherent light, the probabilities of obtaining even or odd parity in photon counts are 0.5 each. Photon counting with single-photon resolution can be performed through use of a cascade of beam splitters and single-photon detectors, as was done recently in a photon-number parity-based interferometry experiment involving coherent light. We highlight the point that unlike most quantum-based random number generators, our proposal does not require the use of classical de-biasing algorithms or post-processing of the generated bit sequence.
The prototype quantum random number (random bit) generators (QRNG) consists of one photon at a time falling on a 50:5050:5050:50 beam splitter followed by random detection in one or the other other output beams due to the irreducible probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Due to the difficulties in producing single photons on demand, in practice, pulses of weak coherent (laser) light are used. In this paper we take a different approach, one that uses moderate coherent light. It is shown that a QRNG can be implemented by performing photon-number parity measurements. For moderate coherent light, the probabilities for obtaining even or odd parity in photon counts are 0.50.50.5 each. Photon counting with single-photon resolution can be performed through use of a cascade of beam splitters and single-photon detectors as was done recently in a photon-number parity-based interferometry experiment involving coherent light.
We theoretically propose and experimentally validate a practical random bit generation method based on the detections of a coherent state in the few-photon regime by a gated single-photon threshold detector, operating at the telecom wavelength of 1550 nanometers. By fine tuning the mean number of photons per pulse of a laser beam directed to the single-photon detector, a 50-50 chance of detection or no-detection is reached; under this condition, detections inside the gate window are treated as "1"s, while "0"s are associated with the absence of detections. The same method could also be applied in a free-running single-photon detector for increased throughput by chopping the light signal instead of gating the detector. Both hardware implementations yielded bit strings, which were evaluated by a standard randomness test suite with good confidence. Despite the yet low rates achieved by the proposed method, its hardware compatibility with quantum key distribution setups makes it an interesting candidate for random number generation within the context of practical quantum communications.
Abstract One of the most fundamental quantum random number generators is implemented with light impinging onto a beam splitter, and two single photon detectors at its output. Often, this generator is described as “a photon which takes one or other path towards a detector”. The input state of light in conjunction with the detector response is relevant for the amount, the pattern, and the correlation of the generated clicks. Only a fraction of all generator outcomes, the min‐entropy, can be used as a further resource for true randomness. This paper addresses the difference in the common description with incoming single photons and the often implemented scheme with a weak coherent light source, such as an attenuated laser. For this very fundamental and widely used configuration the amount of usable entropy is compared. If single photons from an anti‐bunched light source are supplied, the amount of entropy is higher than for the case of a supplied coherent state – although the latter can be arbitrarily bright unlike the single photon source. image
Quantum random number generator (QRNG) allows obtaining true random bit sequences. In QRNG based on quantum nature of vacuum, optical beam splitter with two inputs and two outputs is normally used. We compare mathematical descriptions of spatial beam splitter and fiber Y-splitter in the quantum model for QRNG, based on homodyne detection. These descriptions were identical, that allows to use fiber Y-splitters in practical QRNG schemes, simplifying the setup. Also we receive relations between the input radiation and the resulting differential current in homodyne detector. We experimentally demonstrate possibility of true random bits generation by using QRNG based on homodyne detection with Y-splitter.