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arXiv:2509.13105 · Physical Review Applied

Real-time vacuum-state quantum random-number generator on a chip

Guan-Ru Qiao, Bing Bai, Zi-Xuan Weng, H. F. Chen, Wei Zheng, Zhi-Yuan Zheng, You-Qi Nie, Jun Zhang, Jian-Wei Pan

Published Sep 15, 2025• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quantum random-number generators (QRNGs) produce true random numbers, which are guaranteed by the fundamental principles of quantum physics. Miniaturization of QRNGs is crucial for a wide range of communication and cryptography applications. Here, we first report a fully functional QRNG chip based on vacuum-state fluctuations, with dimensions of $16.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7.8\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$. The quantum entropy source, which is achieved via hybrid photonic integration with an ${\mathrm{Si}\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ waveguide, generates raw quantum random numbers. The hybrid photonic and electrical components are assembled into a compact ceramic package using system-in-package technology. A microcontroller unit acquires the raw data and outputs the processed quantum random numbers via a serial peripheral interface. According to the characterization results, the QRNG chip achieves a constant real-time output rate of 5.2 Mbps across the industrial temperature range of $\ensuremath{-}40$ to $85{\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}\mathrm{C}$, making it suitable for practical applications.

DOI
10.1103/q23p-l2z7

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Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can produce true random numbers. Yet, the two most important QRNG parameters highly desired for practical applications, i.e., speed and size, have to be compromised during implementations. Here, we present the fastest and miniaturized QRNG with a record real-time output rate as high as 18.8 Gbps by combining a photonic integrated chip and the technology of optimized randomness extraction. We assemble the photonic integrated circuit designed for vacuum state QRNG implementation, an InGaAs homodyne detector, and a high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifier into a single chip using hybrid packaging, which exhibits the excellent characteristics of integration and high-frequency response. With a sample rate of 2.5 GSa/s in a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter and subsequent paralleled postprocessing in a field programmable gate array, the QRNG outputs ultrafast random bitstreams via a fiber optic transceiver, whose real-time speed is validated in a personal computer.
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Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) harness the inherent unpredictability of quantum processes to generate true randomness, a critical resource for cryptography, secure communications, and emerging quantum technologies. In this paper, I will present a compact and scalable QRNG architecture based on micro-light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs), which serve as entropy sources by exploiting the intensity fluctuations of spontaneous emission. Our system, using a micro-LED, achieves a bandwidth-limited generation rate of 9.375 Gbit/s, while meeting the statistical randomness requirements specified by the NIST test suite. Our work lays the foundation for parallel QRNG integration on chip, enabling ultra-high-rate quantum random number generation in miniaturized, energy-efficient, and practical platforms. The implications of this advancement span from secure data and hardward to next-generation cryptographic systems.
Random numbers find applications in a range of different fields, from quantum key distribution and classical cryptography to fundamental science.They also find extensive use in gambling and lotteries.By exploiting the probabilistic nature of Quantum Mechanics, quantum random number generators (QRNGs) provide a secure and efficient means to produce random numbers.Most of the quantum random number generators demonstrated so far have been built in bulk optics, either using free space or fibre-optic components.While showing good performance, most of these demonstrations are strongly limited in real life applications, due to issues such as size, costs and the manufacturing process.In this thesis I report the demonstration of three different QRNGs based on integrated photonics.First, I demonstrated a QRNG based on homodyne measurement of optical vacuum states on a Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) chip.Second, I developed a SOI QRNG based on phase fluctuations from a laser diode.In these two schemes all the optical and opto-electronic components, excluding the laser, were integrated onto a silicon-on-insulator device.These schemes, being built on a silicon-on-insulator chip are potentially CMOS compatible and pave the way for being integrated onto other more complex systems.These QRNGs showed Gbps generation rates and passed the statistical tests provided by NIST.Third, I report the preliminary study of a QRNG based on homodyne measurement of optical vacuum states onto a Indium Phosphide (InP) chip.In this third experiment, all the components, including a laser diode, were monolithically integrated in the same chip, which provide a great advantage in terms of the overall size of the optics of the device.First, I would like to thank Jonathan, for the opportunity to pursue my PhD and for guiding my research in these four years.Thank you for giving me the chance to follow my curiosity and for pushing me to get the best out of my research.Thank you, Dylan, for being so helpful, always ready to answer my questions.I would like to thank Giacomo for sharing a big part of my research in these years
Quantum resources offer intrinsic randomness that is valuable for applications such as cryptography, scientific simulation, and computing. Silicon-based photonics chips present an excellent platform for the cost-effective deployment of next-generation quantum systems on a large scale, even at room temperature. Nevertheless, the potential susceptibility of these chips to hacker control poses a challenge in ensuring security for on-chip quantum random number generation, which is crucial for enabling extensive utilization of quantum resources. Here, we introduce and implement an on-chip source-device-independent quantum random number generator (SDI-QRNG). The randomness of this generator is achieved through distortion-free on-chip detection of quantum resources, effectively eliminating classical noise interference. The security of the system is ensured by employing on-chip criteria for estimating security entropy in a practical chip environment. By incorporating a photoelectric package, the SDI-QRNG chip achieves a secure bit rate of 146.2 Mbps and a bare chip rate of 248.47 Gbps, with all extracted secure bits successfully passing the randomness test. Our experimental demonstration of this chip-level SDI-QRNG shows significant advantages in practical applications, paving the way for the widespread and cost-effective implementation of room-temperature secure QRNG, which marks a milestone in the field of QRNG chips.
A compact quantum random number generator (QRNG) based on an array of Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) is presented here. The main feature of the proposed chip is the capability to generate random numbers without the use of any external source of light. In this view, SPADs are configured to be used in two ways: 1) as a controlled light emitter and 2) as a detector. An embedded logic is able to distinguish dark events against detected emitted photon in such a way to make the system sensitive only to the presence of light. The extracted random bits show a uniform distribution and the QRNG, thanks to an integrated conditioning block maximizing the output entropy, eventually passes all AIS31 tests. The average raw bit rate in the default device configuration (one enabled column) is measured equal to 800 kbps.