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

Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Testing quantum randomness in single-photon polarization measurements with the NIST test suite

David A. Branning, Matthew Bermudez

Published Jul 21, 2010• 23 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A binary sequence was constructed from 1.7×107 polarization measurements of single photons from a spontaneous parametric downconversion source, under pumping conditions similar to those used in optical quantum cryptography. To search for correlations in the polarization measurement outcomes, we subjected the sequence to a suite of tests developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the assessment of algorithmic random-number generators. The bias of the sequence was low enough to allow all fifteen tests to be applied directly to the polarization outcomes without using any numerical unbiasing procedures. No statistically significant deviations from randomness were observed, other than those related to this small uncorrected bias.

DOI
10.1364/josab.27.001594

Related papers

Search for patterns in sequences of single-photon polarization measurements

David A. Branning, Adam Katcher, Wayne Strange +1 more

Sequences of random binary numbers created from polarization measurements of single photons were subjected to a comprehensive runs analysis. Photon pairs from a spontaneous parametric downconversion source were detected in coincidence, with one photon acting as a trigger while the other was analyzed for horizontal or vertical polarization. The resulting sequences of polarization measurements were tested for runs of consecutive vertical or horizontal outcomes against a theory of nonoverlapping runs, without numerical unbiasing. The sequences produced no statistically significant discrepancies with the predicted numbers of runs, even with multiphoton events retained.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•May 18, 2011•4 citations

A quantum random number generator implementation with polarized photons

Santiago Aguirre, Juan Diego Arango-Montoya, David Jaramillo-Duque +3 more

In this letter, we present an implementation of a random number generator based on photon polarization superposition. We prepare photons in a superposition state of vertical and horizontal polarizations, let them pass through a polarizing beamsplitter and set two detectors at each path to get a 50–50 chance of finding the photon at each detector. We present the results of the NIST test suite for random number generators for our binary sequence of approximately 1.4 × 107 bits and analyze the different p-values obtained to statistically assess its randomness. In doing so, we use von Neumann’s algorithm for bias removal and briefly explain how the statistical tests work.

Emergent Scientist•Jan 1, 2017•1 citation

Adjustable unbalanced quantum random-number generator

Manli Xu Manli Xu, Jingzheng Huang, Wen-Ye Liang +5 more

We report an adjustable unbalanced quantum random-number generator based on the polarization of photons, which can produce nondeterministic true random unbalanced numbers.The underlying physical process is inherently quantum mechanical.To prove the quality of the output sequence of the proposed generator, we test the obtained bias-free sequence through the 3-standard-deviation criteria and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology test suite.Another type of nondeterministic unbalanced random-number generator is also studied in this work, to evaluate the quality of the output biased random numbers.

Chinese Optics Letters•Jan 1, 2015•5 citations

Adjustable unbalanced quantum random-number generator

许曼莉, 黄靖正, 梁文烨 +5 more

We report an adjustable unbalanced quantum random-number generator based on the polarization of photons,which can produce nondeterministic true random unbalanced numbers. The underlying physical process is inherently quantum mechanical. To prove the quality of the output sequence of the proposed generator, we test the obtained bias-free sequence through the 3-standard-deviation criteria and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology test suite. Another type of nondeterministic unbalanced random-number generator is also studied in this work, to evaluate the quality of the output biased random numbers.

Chinese Optics Letters•Jan 1, 2015•0 citations

Improving randomness characterization through Bayesian model selection

Rafael Díaz Hernández Rojas, Aldo Solís, Alí Angulo +4 more

Random number generation plays an essential role in technology with important applications in areas ranging from cryptography to Monte Carlo methods, and other probabilistic algorithms. All such applications require high-quality sources of random numbers, yet effective methods for assessing whether a source produce truly random sequences are still missing. Current methods either do not rely on a formal description of randomness (NIST test suite) on the one hand, or are inapplicable in principle (the characterization derived from the Algorithmic Theory of Information), on the other, for they require testing all the possible computer programs that could produce the sequence to be analysed. Here we present a rigorous method that overcomes these problems based on Bayesian model selection. We derive analytic expressions for a model's likelihood which is then used to compute its posterior distribution. Our method proves to be more rigorous than NIST's suite and Borel-Normality criterion and its implementation is straightforward. We applied our method to an experimental device based on the process of spontaneous parametric downconversion to confirm it behaves as a genuine quantum random number generator. As our approach relies on Bayesian inference our scheme transcends individual sequence analysis, leading to a characterization of the source itself.

arXiv:1608.05119•Scientific Reports•Jun 2, 2017•4 citations

Parity-based, bias-free optical quantum random number generation with min-entropy estimation

Mathew R. Coleman, Kaylin G. Ingalls, John T. Kavulich +4 more

We describe the generation of sequences of random bits from the parity of photon counts produced by polarization measurements on a polarization-entangled state. The resulting sequences are bias free, pass the applicable tests in the NIST battery of statistical randomness tests, and are shown to be Borel normal, without the need for experimental calibration stages or postprocessing of the output. Because the photon counts are produced in the course of a measurement of the violation of the Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt inequality, we are able to concurrently verify the nonclassical nature of the photon statistics and estimate a lower bound on the min-entropy of the bit-generating source. The rate of bit production in our experiment is around 13 bits/s.

arXiv:2006.11425•Journal of the Optical Society of America B•May 28, 2020•3 citations
A binary sequence was constructed from 1.7×107 polarization measurements of single photons from a spontaneous parametric downconversion source, under pumping conditions similar to those used in optical quantum cryptography. To search for correlations in the polarization measurement outcomes, we subjected the sequence to a suite of tests developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the assessment of algorithmic random-number generators. The bias of the sequence was low enough to allow all fifteen tests to be applied directly to the polarization outcomes without using any numerical unbiasing procedures. No statistically significant deviations from randomness were observed, other than those related to this small uncorrected bias.
Sequences of random binary numbers created from polarization measurements of single photons were subjected to a comprehensive runs analysis. Photon pairs from a spontaneous parametric downconversion source were detected in coincidence, with one photon acting as a trigger while the other was analyzed for horizontal or vertical polarization. The resulting sequences of polarization measurements were tested for runs of consecutive vertical or horizontal outcomes against a theory of nonoverlapping runs, without numerical unbiasing. The sequences produced no statistically significant discrepancies with the predicted numbers of runs, even with multiphoton events retained.
In this letter, we present an implementation of a random number generator based on photon polarization superposition. We prepare photons in a superposition state of vertical and horizontal polarizations, let them pass through a polarizing beamsplitter and set two detectors at each path to get a 50–50 chance of finding the photon at each detector. We present the results of the NIST test suite for random number generators for our binary sequence of approximately 1.4 × 107 bits and analyze the different p-values obtained to statistically assess its randomness. In doing so, we use von Neumann’s algorithm for bias removal and briefly explain how the statistical tests work.
We report an adjustable unbalanced quantum random-number generator based on the polarization of photons, which can produce nondeterministic true random unbalanced numbers.The underlying physical process is inherently quantum mechanical.To prove the quality of the output sequence of the proposed generator, we test the obtained bias-free sequence through the 3-standard-deviation criteria and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology test suite.Another type of nondeterministic unbalanced random-number generator is also studied in this work, to evaluate the quality of the output biased random numbers.
We report an adjustable unbalanced quantum random-number generator based on the polarization of photons,which can produce nondeterministic true random unbalanced numbers. The underlying physical process is inherently quantum mechanical. To prove the quality of the output sequence of the proposed generator, we test the obtained bias-free sequence through the 3-standard-deviation criteria and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology test suite. Another type of nondeterministic unbalanced random-number generator is also studied in this work, to evaluate the quality of the output biased random numbers.
Random number generation plays an essential role in technology with important applications in areas ranging from cryptography to Monte Carlo methods, and other probabilistic algorithms. All such applications require high-quality sources of random numbers, yet effective methods for assessing whether a source produce truly random sequences are still missing. Current methods either do not rely on a formal description of randomness (NIST test suite) on the one hand, or are inapplicable in principle (the characterization derived from the Algorithmic Theory of Information), on the other, for they require testing all the possible computer programs that could produce the sequence to be analysed. Here we present a rigorous method that overcomes these problems based on Bayesian model selection. We derive analytic expressions for a model's likelihood which is then used to compute its posterior distribution. Our method proves to be more rigorous than NIST's suite and Borel-Normality criterion and its implementation is straightforward. We applied our method to an experimental device based on the process of spontaneous parametric downconversion to confirm it behaves as a genuine quantum random number generator. As our approach relies on Bayesian inference our scheme transcends individual sequence analysis, leading to a characterization of the source itself.
We describe the generation of sequences of random bits from the parity of photon counts produced by polarization measurements on a polarization-entangled state. The resulting sequences are bias free, pass the applicable tests in the NIST battery of statistical randomness tests, and are shown to be Borel normal, without the need for experimental calibration stages or postprocessing of the output. Because the photon counts are produced in the course of a measurement of the violation of the Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt inequality, we are able to concurrently verify the nonclassical nature of the photon statistics and estimate a lower bound on the min-entropy of the bit-generating source. The rate of bit production in our experiment is around 13 bits/s.