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Applied Physics Letters

Efficient Raman generation in a waveguide: A route to ultrafast quantum random number generation

Duncan G. England, Philip J. Bustard, Douglas J. Moffatt, J. Nunn, Rune Lausten, Benjamin Sussman

Published Feb 3, 2014• 25 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The inherent uncertainty in quantum mechanics offers a source of true randomness which can be used to produce unbreakable cryptographic keys. We discuss the development of a high-speed random number generator based on the quantum phase fluctuations in spontaneously initiated stimulated Raman scattering (SISRS). We utilize the tight confinement and long interaction length available in a Potassium Titanyl Phosphate waveguide to generate highly efficient SISRS using nanojoule pulse energies, reducing the high pump power requirements of the previous approaches. We measure the random phase of the Stokes output using a simple interferometric setup to yield quantum random numbers at 145 Mbps.

DOI
10.1063/1.4864095

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The inherent uncertainty in quantum mechanics offers a source of true randomness which can be used to produce unbreakable cryptographic keys. We discuss the development of a high-speed random number generator based on the quantum phase fluctuations in spontaneously initiated stimulated Raman scattering (SISRS). We utilize the tight confinement and long interaction length available in a Potassium Titanyl Phosphate waveguide to generate highly efficient SISRS using nanojoule pulse energies, reducing the high pump power requirements of the previous approaches. We measure the random phase of the Stokes output using a simple interferometric setup to yield quantum random numbers at 145 Mbps.
Random number sequences are a critical resource in modern information processing systems, with applications in cryptography, numerical simulation, and data sampling. We introduce a quantum random number generator based on the measurement of pulse energy quantum fluctuations in Stokes light generated by spontaneously-initiated stimulated Raman scattering. Bright Stokes pulse energy fluctuations up to five times the mean energy are measured with fast photodiodes and converted to unbiased random binary strings. Since the pulse energy is a continuous variable, multiple bits can be extracted from a single measurement. Our approach can be generalized to a wide range of Raman active materials; here we demonstrate a prototype using the optical phonon line in bulk diamond.
Quantum mechanics has remained one of the most fascinating topics in physics ever since it was first formalized by the Copenhagen interpretation in the 1920’s. While much of the early experimental work focused on verification of quantum mechanical theory, focus has now shifted towards utilizing the remarkable features of quantum mechanics in emerging quantum technologies. For example, the evolution of complex quantum-mechanical systems could be used to perform calculations beyond the capability of classical computers and the inherent randomness involved in making measurements on a quantum state provides a source of unbreakable cryptographic keys for secure communications. In this talk, we introduce a high-speed quantum random number generator based on integrated photonics, and a high-bandwidth quantum memory for light; we will discuss the impact of these technologies on long-distance quantum communication and local photonic quantum processing.
From a classical point of view the generation of Stokes light by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) is not possible unless a Stokes input signal is supplied. On the other hand, the gain in SRS can be so large that without input the spontaneous build-up of strong Stokes waves can be observed. A proper quantum theoretical description1 shows that this spontaneous initiation of Stokes generation is due to microscopic random fluctuations originating from quantum noise associated with the dynamical variable Q(t) which is active in the Raman process, e.g., a molecular normal mode coordinate. In highly transient SRS -when the duration of the excitation pulse is shorter than the dephasing time- the Stokes field is proportional to the initial Heisenberg operator Q(0) describing the state of the system just before the excitation pulse is turned on (t=0). In this case the statistics of the final Stokes pulse energy is determined by quantum mechanical uncertainties associated with the random Raman polarization of the initial state2. On the other hand, in a steady state situation the Stokes pulse fluctuations are substantially reduced and the Stokes pulse energy is stabilized as a result of damping processes.
Random number sequences are a critical resource in a wide variety of information systems, including applications in cryptography, simulation, and data sampling. We introduce a quantum random number generator based on the phase measurement of Stokes light generated by amplification of zero-point vacuum fluctuations using stimulated Raman scattering. This is an example of quantum noise amplification using the most noise-free process possible: near unitary quantum evolution. The use of phase offers robustness to classical pump noise and the ability to generate multiple bits per measurement. The Stokes light is generated with high intensity and as a result, fast detectors with high signal-to-noise ratios can be used for measurement, eliminating the need for single-photon sensitive devices. The demonstrated implementation uses optical phonons in bulk diamond.
We investigate the generation of random numbers via the quantum process of spontaneous Raman scattering. Spontaneous Raman photons are produced by illuminating a highly nonlinear chalcogenide glass (As2S3) fiber with a CW laser at a power well below the stimulated Raman threshold. Single Raman photons are collected and separated into two discrete wavelength detuning bins of equal scattering probability. The sequence of photon detection clicks is converted into a random bit stream. Postprocessing is applied to remove detector bias, resulting in a final bit rate of ∼650 kb/s. The collected random bit-sequences pass the NIST statistical test suite for one hundred 1 Mb samples, with the significance level set to α=0.01. The fiber is stable, robust and the high nonlinearity (compared to silica) allows for a short fiber length and low pump power favourable for real world application.