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:2306.13490 · New Journal of Physics

Quantum random number generation using an on-chip nanowire plasmonic waveguide

Conrad Strydom, Sina Soleymani, Şahin Kaya Özdemir, Mark Tame

Published Feb 26, 2024• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract Quantum random number generators employ the inherent randomness of quantum mechanics to generate truly unpredictable random numbers, which are essential in cryptographic applications. While a great variety of quantum random number generators have been realized using photonics, few exploit the high-field confinement offered by plasmonics, which enables device footprints an order of magnitude smaller in size. Here we integrate an on-chip nanowire plasmonic waveguide into an optical time-of-arrival based quantum random number generation setup. Despite loss, we achieve a random number generation rate of 14.4 Mbits s − 1 using low light intensity, with the generated bits passing industry standard tests without post-processing. By increasing the light intensity, we were then able to increase the generation rate to 41.4 Mbits s − 1 , with the resulting bits only requiring a shuffle to pass all tests. This is an order of magnitude increase in the generation rate and decrease in the device size compared to previous work. Our experiment demonstrates the successful integration of an on-chip nanoscale plasmonic component into a quantum random number generation setup. This may lead to new opportunities in compact and scalable quantum random number generation.

DOI
10.1088/1367-2630/ad2d1c

Related papers

Quantum random number generation using an on-chip plasmonic beamsplitter

Jason Francis, Xia Zhang, Şahin K Özdemir +1 more

Abstract We report an experimental realisation of a quantum random number generator using a plasmonic beamsplitter. Free-space single photons are converted into propagating single surface plasmon polaritons on a gold stripe waveguide via a grating. The surface plasmons are then guided to a region where they are scattered into one of two possible outputs. The presence of a plasmonic excitation in a given output determines the value of a random bit generated from the quantum scattering process. Using a stream of single surface plasmons injected into the beamsplitter we achieve a quantum random number generation rate of 2.37 Mbits s −1 even in the presence of loss. We characterise the quality of the random number sequence generated, finding it to be comparable to sequences from other quantum photonic-based devices. The compact nature of our nanophotonic device makes it suitable for tight integration in on-chip applications, such as in quantum computing and communication schemes.

arXiv:1610.06300•Quantum Science and Technology•Jul 28, 2017•10 citations

Enhanced on-chip quantum random number generation using combined path and time-delay encoding

P. Pewkhom, N. Palakachen, Poompong Chaiwongkhot +2 more

We present an integrated photonic quantum random number generator combining photon-path selection and time-delay encoding methods to efficiently produce high-quality random bits. True random number generators, particularly quantum-based random number generators, play a critical role in secure communications, cryptographic protocols, and simulations, as they provide genuine unpredictability derived from fundamental quantum processes. This study presents the development of an optical random number generator utilizing a photonic chip, resulting in a very stable, compact, and high key-to-signal ratio device. Our setup employs an attenuated pulsed laser source combined with a photonic circuit featuring a multi-mode interference, whose outputs are monitored by single-photon avalanche diodes. For photon-path encoding, a von Neumann extractor effectively reduces output bias by discarding correlated detection events. In addition, we measure photon arrival times (time-delay encoding) using a novel bin-merging and modulo-based encoding strategy to counteract hardware-induced biases, achieving near-ideal bit uniformity. Experimental results show that combining both encoding techniques doubles the bit-generation rate compared to path-encoding only, achieving 0.49 bits per signal while simultaneously meeting stringent randomness criteria validated by passing all tests in the NIST statistical test suite.

AIP Advances•Jul 1, 2025•1 citation

Micro-LED-based quantum random number generators

Heming Lin, Hang Lu, Matthew S. Wong +7 more

Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) leverage the inherent unpredictability of quantum mechanical phenomena to produce random numbers. However, the performance of many QRNGs is hindered by limitations such as low generation rates and the bulkiness of systems utilizing single-photon detectors (SPDs). In this study, we present a QRNG that addresses these challenges by using a micro-LED as an entropy source, utilizing the intensity fluctuations of spontaneous emissions. By applying post-processing techniques, our 5 × 5 µm 2 micro-LED-based system achieves a PD bandwidth-limited generation rate of 9.375 Gbit/s while successfully passing the required randomness tests outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Importantly, systematic testing across micro-LEDs of varying sizes demonstrates consistently high performance, highlighting the robustness of this approach. The compact, small footprint, scalable design, and surface emission characteristics of micro-LEDs pave the way for the development of parallel QRNG-integrated chips, which hold the potential to deliver ultra-high random number generation rates in practical, miniaturized platforms.

Optics Express•May 5, 2025•5 citations

Compact Quantum Random Number Generator with Silicon Nanocrystals Light Emitting Device Coupled to a Silicon Photomultiplier

Zahra Bisadi, Fabio Acerbi, Giorgio Fontana +4 more

A small-sized photonic quantum random number generator, easy to be implemented in small electronic devices for secure data encryption and other applications, is highly demanding nowadays. Here, we propose a compact configuration with Silicon nanocrystals large area light emitting device (LED) coupled to a Silicon photomultiplier to generate random numbers. The random number generation methodology is based on the photon arrival time and is robust against the non-idealities of the detector and the source of quantum entropy. The raw data show high quality of randomness and pass all the statistical tests in national institute of standards and technology tests (NIST) suite without a post-processing algorithm. The highest bit rate is 0.5 Mbps with the efficiency of 4 bits per detected photon.

Frontiers in Physics•Feb 14, 2018•14 citations

Scalable quantum random number generator for cryptography based on the random flip-flop approach

Mario Stipčević, Ivan Michel Antolović, Claudio E. Bruschini +1 more

For globally connected devices like smart phones, personal computers and Internet-of-things devices, the ability to generate random numbers is essential for execution of cryptographic protocols responsible for information security. Generally, a random number generator should be small, robust, utilize as few hardware and energy resources as possible, yet provide excellent randomness at a high enough speed (bitrate) for a given purpose. In this work we present a quantum random number generator (QRNG) which makes use of a photoelectric effect in single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) as a source of randomness and is scalable to any desired bitrate. We use the random flip-flop method in which random bits are obtained by periodic sampling of a randomly toggling flip-flop. For the first time we investigate this method in detail and find that, out of two main imperfections, bias is due only to hardware imperfections while autocorrelation predominantly resides with the method itself. SPADs are integrated on a silicon chip together with passive quenching and digital pulse-shaping circuitry, using a standard 180 nm CMOS process. A separate FPGA chip derives random numbers from the detection signals. The basic QRNG cell, made of only two SPADs and a few logic circuits, can generate up to 20 Mbit/s that pass NIST statistical tests without any further postprocessing. This technology allows integration of a QRNG on a single silicon chip using readily available industrial processes.

arXiv:2102.12204•Feb 24, 2021•2 citations

Real-time interferometric quantum random number generation on chip

Thomas Roger, Taofiq K. Paraïso, Innocenzo De Marco +3 more

We demonstrate on-chip quantum random number generation at high data rates using the random phases of gain-switched laser pulses. Interference of the gain-switched pulses produced by two independent semiconductor lasers is performed on a photonic integrated circuit and the resulting pulse train is received and processed in real time using homebuilt capture electronics consisting of a field programmable gate array and a 10-bit digitizer. Random numbers with low correlation coefficient are shown for pulse clock rates of 1 GHz and data rates of 8 Gbps. The random numbers are also shown to successfully pass all tests within the National Institute for Standards and Technology test suite. The system provides genuine random numbers in a compact platform that can be readily integrated into existing quantum cryptographic technology.

arXiv:1906.01903•Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Feb 28, 2019•38 citations
Abstract Quantum random number generators employ the inherent randomness of quantum mechanics to generate truly unpredictable random numbers, which are essential in cryptographic applications. While a great variety of quantum random number generators have been realized using photonics, few exploit the high-field confinement offered by plasmonics, which enables device footprints an order of magnitude smaller in size. Here we integrate an on-chip nanowire plasmonic waveguide into an optical time-of-arrival based quantum random number generation setup. Despite loss, we achieve a random number generation rate of 14.4 Mbits s − 1 using low light intensity, with the generated bits passing industry standard tests without post-processing. By increasing the light intensity, we were then able to increase the generation rate to 41.4 Mbits s − 1 , with the resulting bits only requiring a shuffle to pass all tests. This is an order of magnitude increase in the generation rate and decrease in the device size compared to previous work. Our experiment demonstrates the successful integration of an on-chip nanoscale plasmonic component into a quantum random number generation setup. This may lead to new opportunities in compact and scalable quantum random number generation.
Abstract We report an experimental realisation of a quantum random number generator using a plasmonic beamsplitter. Free-space single photons are converted into propagating single surface plasmon polaritons on a gold stripe waveguide via a grating. The surface plasmons are then guided to a region where they are scattered into one of two possible outputs. The presence of a plasmonic excitation in a given output determines the value of a random bit generated from the quantum scattering process. Using a stream of single surface plasmons injected into the beamsplitter we achieve a quantum random number generation rate of 2.37 Mbits s −1 even in the presence of loss. We characterise the quality of the random number sequence generated, finding it to be comparable to sequences from other quantum photonic-based devices. The compact nature of our nanophotonic device makes it suitable for tight integration in on-chip applications, such as in quantum computing and communication schemes.
We present an integrated photonic quantum random number generator combining photon-path selection and time-delay encoding methods to efficiently produce high-quality random bits. True random number generators, particularly quantum-based random number generators, play a critical role in secure communications, cryptographic protocols, and simulations, as they provide genuine unpredictability derived from fundamental quantum processes. This study presents the development of an optical random number generator utilizing a photonic chip, resulting in a very stable, compact, and high key-to-signal ratio device. Our setup employs an attenuated pulsed laser source combined with a photonic circuit featuring a multi-mode interference, whose outputs are monitored by single-photon avalanche diodes. For photon-path encoding, a von Neumann extractor effectively reduces output bias by discarding correlated detection events. In addition, we measure photon arrival times (time-delay encoding) using a novel bin-merging and modulo-based encoding strategy to counteract hardware-induced biases, achieving near-ideal bit uniformity. Experimental results show that combining both encoding techniques doubles the bit-generation rate compared to path-encoding only, achieving 0.49 bits per signal while simultaneously meeting stringent randomness criteria validated by passing all tests in the NIST statistical test suite.
Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) leverage the inherent unpredictability of quantum mechanical phenomena to produce random numbers. However, the performance of many QRNGs is hindered by limitations such as low generation rates and the bulkiness of systems utilizing single-photon detectors (SPDs). In this study, we present a QRNG that addresses these challenges by using a micro-LED as an entropy source, utilizing the intensity fluctuations of spontaneous emissions. By applying post-processing techniques, our 5 × 5 µm 2 micro-LED-based system achieves a PD bandwidth-limited generation rate of 9.375 Gbit/s while successfully passing the required randomness tests outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Importantly, systematic testing across micro-LEDs of varying sizes demonstrates consistently high performance, highlighting the robustness of this approach. The compact, small footprint, scalable design, and surface emission characteristics of micro-LEDs pave the way for the development of parallel QRNG-integrated chips, which hold the potential to deliver ultra-high random number generation rates in practical, miniaturized platforms.
A small-sized photonic quantum random number generator, easy to be implemented in small electronic devices for secure data encryption and other applications, is highly demanding nowadays. Here, we propose a compact configuration with Silicon nanocrystals large area light emitting device (LED) coupled to a Silicon photomultiplier to generate random numbers. The random number generation methodology is based on the photon arrival time and is robust against the non-idealities of the detector and the source of quantum entropy. The raw data show high quality of randomness and pass all the statistical tests in national institute of standards and technology tests (NIST) suite without a post-processing algorithm. The highest bit rate is 0.5 Mbps with the efficiency of 4 bits per detected photon.
For globally connected devices like smart phones, personal computers and Internet-of-things devices, the ability to generate random numbers is essential for execution of cryptographic protocols responsible for information security. Generally, a random number generator should be small, robust, utilize as few hardware and energy resources as possible, yet provide excellent randomness at a high enough speed (bitrate) for a given purpose. In this work we present a quantum random number generator (QRNG) which makes use of a photoelectric effect in single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) as a source of randomness and is scalable to any desired bitrate. We use the random flip-flop method in which random bits are obtained by periodic sampling of a randomly toggling flip-flop. For the first time we investigate this method in detail and find that, out of two main imperfections, bias is due only to hardware imperfections while autocorrelation predominantly resides with the method itself. SPADs are integrated on a silicon chip together with passive quenching and digital pulse-shaping circuitry, using a standard 180 nm CMOS process. A separate FPGA chip derives random numbers from the detection signals. The basic QRNG cell, made of only two SPADs and a few logic circuits, can generate up to 20 Mbit/s that pass NIST statistical tests without any further postprocessing. This technology allows integration of a QRNG on a single silicon chip using readily available industrial processes.
We demonstrate on-chip quantum random number generation at high data rates using the random phases of gain-switched laser pulses. Interference of the gain-switched pulses produced by two independent semiconductor lasers is performed on a photonic integrated circuit and the resulting pulse train is received and processed in real time using homebuilt capture electronics consisting of a field programmable gate array and a 10-bit digitizer. Random numbers with low correlation coefficient are shown for pulse clock rates of 1 GHz and data rates of 8 Gbps. The random numbers are also shown to successfully pass all tests within the National Institute for Standards and Technology test suite. The system provides genuine random numbers in a compact platform that can be readily integrated into existing quantum cryptographic technology.