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Physical Review A

Quantum random-number generator based on a photon-number-resolving detector

Min Ren, E Wu, Yan Liang, Jian Yi, Guang Wu, Heping Zeng

Published Feb 23, 2011• 138 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrated a high-efficiency quantum random number generator which takes inherent advantage of the photon number distribution randomness of a coherent light source. This scheme was realized by comparing the photon flux of consecutive pulses with a photon number resolving detector. The random bit generation rate could reach $2.4$ MHz with a system clock of $6.0$ MHz, corresponding to a random bit generation efficiency as high as $40%$. The random number files passed all the stringent statistical tests.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.83.023820

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We demonstrated a high-efficiency quantum random number generator which takes inherent advantage of the photon number distribution randomness of a coherent light source. This scheme was realized by comparing the photon flux of consecutive pulses with a photon number resolving detector. The random bit generation rate could reach 2.42.42.4 MHz with a system clock of 6.06.06.0 MHz, corresponding to a random bit generation efficiency as high as 4040%40. The random number files passed all the stringent statistical tests.
Here we present a new fast two-bit quantum random number generator based on the intrinsic randomness of the quantum physical phenomenon of photon statistics of coherent light source. Two-bit random numbers were generated according to the number of detected photons in each light pulse by a photon-number-resolving detector. Poissonian photon statistics of the coherent light source guaranteed the complete randomness of the bit sequences. Multi-bit true random numbers were generated for the first time based on the multi-photon events from a coherent light source.
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