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Robust self-unbiased, quantum random number generator based on avalanche photodiodes

Fang‐Xiang Wang, Chao Wang, Wei Chen, Shuang Wang, De‐Yong He, Fu-Sheng Lv, Zhen−Qiang Yin, Hongwei Li, Guang-Can Guo, Zheng‐Fu Han

Published Feb 4, 2015• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We propose and demonstrate a scheme to realize a high-efficiency truly quantum random number generator (RNG) at room temperature. With the effective time bin encoding method, the avalanche pulses of APD is converted into intrinsically self-unbiased random number bits that is robust to slow varying noise. Light source is not necessary in this scheme. Furthermore, the experiment result indicates that a high speed RNG chip based on the scheme is potentially available with integratable APD array.

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We propose and demonstrate a scheme to realize a high-efficiency truly quantum random number generator (RNG) at room temperature. Using an effective extractor with simple time bin encoding method, the avalanche pulses of avalanche photodiode (APD) are converted into high-quality random numbers that are robust to slow varying noise such as fluctuations of pulse intensity and temperature. A light source is compatible but not necessary in this scheme. Therefor the robustness of the system is effective enhanced. The random bits generation rate of this proof-of-principle system is 0.69 Mb/s with double APDs and 0.34 Mb/s with single APD. The results indicate that a high-speed RNG chip based on the scheme is potentially available with an integrable APD array.

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arXiv:2102.12204•Feb 24, 2021•2 citations
We propose and demonstrate a scheme to realize a high-efficiency truly quantum random number generator (RNG) at room temperature. With the effective time bin encoding method, the avalanche pulses of APD is converted into intrinsically self-unbiased random number bits that is robust to slow varying noise. Light source is not necessary in this scheme. Furthermore, the experiment result indicates that a high speed RNG chip based on the scheme is potentially available with integratable APD array.
We propose and demonstrate a scheme to realize a high-efficiency truly quantum random number generator (RNG) at room temperature. Using an effective extractor with simple time bin encoding method, the avalanche pulses of avalanche photodiode (APD) are converted into high-quality random numbers that are robust to slow varying noise such as fluctuations of pulse intensity and temperature. A light source is compatible but not necessary in this scheme. Therefor the robustness of the system is effective enhanced. The random bits generation rate of this proof-of-principle system is 0.69 Mb/s with double APDs and 0.34 Mb/s with single APD. The results indicate that a high-speed RNG chip based on the scheme is potentially available with an integrable APD array.
Quantum random number generators adopting single photon detection have been restricted due to the non-negligible dead time of avalanche photodiodes (APDs). We propose a new approach based on an APD array to improve the generation rate of random numbers significantly. This method compares the detectors' responses to consecutive optical pulses and generates the random sequence. We implement a demonstration experiment to show its simplicity, compactness and scalability. The generated numbers are proved to be unbiased, post-processing free, ready to use, and their randomness is verified by using the national institute of standard technology statistical test suite. The random bit generation efficiency is as high as 32.8% and the potential generation rate adopting the 32 × 32 APD array is up to tens of Gbits/s.
We present an efficient and robust quantum random number generator based upon high-rate room temperature photon number detection. We employ an electric field-modulated silicon avalanche photodiode, a type of device particularly suited to high-rate photon number detection with excellent photon number resolution to detect, without an applied dead-time, up to 4 photons from the optical pulses emitted by a laser. By both measuring and modeling the response of the detector to the incident photons, we are able to determine the illumination conditions that achieve an optimal bit rate that we show is robust against variation in the photon flux. We extract random bits from the detected photon numbers with an efficiency of 99% corresponding to 1.97 bits per detected photon number yielding a bit rate of 143 Mbit/s, and verify that the extracted bits pass stringent statistical tests for randomness. Our scheme is highly scalable and has the potential of multi-Gbit/s bit rates.
In this paper, we present a high-speed physical quantum random number generator using analog/digital converter (ADC), which is based on the random time distribution of single photons emitted by the stongly attenuated pulsed laser diode. With this scheme, the generation rate of random numbers can increase more than tenfold. A preliminary experiment consists of the time amplitude converter and 16 bit ADC, and the data generated by the system pass the pseudo-random number test program test standards. The experimental setup is efficient and robust against mechanical and temperature disturbances.
The security of electronic devices has become a key requisite for the rapidly-expanding pervasive and hyper-connected world. Robust security protocols ensuring secure communication, device's resilience to attacks, authentication control and users privacy need to be implemented. Random Number Generators (RNGs) are the fundamental primitive in most secure protocols but, often, also the weakest one. Establishing security in billions of devices requires high quality random data generated at a sufficiently high throughput. On the other hand, the RNG should exhibit a high integration level with on-chip extraction to remove, in real time, potential imperfections. We present the first integrated Quantum RNG (QRNG) in a standard CMOS technology node. The QRNG is based on a parallel array of independent Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), homogeneously illuminated by a DC-biased LED, and co-integrated logic circuits for postprocessing. We describe the randomness generation process and we prove the quantum origin of entropy. We show that co-integration of combinational logic, even of high complexity, does not affect the quality of randomness. Our CMOS QRNG can reach up to 400 Mbit/s throughput with low power consumption. Thanks to the use of standard CMOS technology and a modular architecture, our QRNG is suitable for a highly scalable solution.
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.