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Scientific Reports

Novel pseudo-random number generator based on quantum random walks

Yu‐Guang Yang, Qianqian Zhao

Published Feb 4, 2016• 58 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the potential application of quantum computation for constructing pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) and further construct a novel PRNG based on quantum random walks (QRWs), a famous quantum computation model. The PRNG merely relies on the equations used in the QRWs, and thus the generation algorithm is simple and the computation speed is fast. The proposed PRNG is subjected to statistical tests such as NIST and successfully passed the test. Compared with the representative PRNG based on quantum chaotic maps (QCM), the present QRWs-based PRNG has some advantages such as better statistical complexity and recurrence. For example, the normalized Shannon entropy and the statistical complexity of the QRWs-based PRNG are 0.999699456771172 and 1.799961178212329e-04 respectively given the number of 8 bits-words, say, 16Mbits. By contrast, the corresponding values of the QCM-based PRNG are 0.999448131481064 and 3.701210794388818e-04 respectively. Thus the statistical complexity and the normalized entropy of the QRWs-based PRNG are closer to 0 and 1 respectively than those of the QCM-based PRNG when the number of words of the analyzed sequence increases. It provides a new clue to construct PRNGs and also extends the applications of quantum computation.

DOI
10.1038/srep20362

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In this paper, we investigate the potential application of quantum computation for constructing pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) and further construct a novel PRNG based on quantum random walks (QRWs), a famous quantum computation model. The PRNG merely relies on the equations used in the QRWs, and thus the generation algorithm is simple and the computation speed is fast. The proposed PRNG is subjected to statistical tests such as NIST and successfully passed the test. Compared with the representative PRNG based on quantum chaotic maps (QCM), the present QRWs-based PRNG has some advantages such as better statistical complexity and recurrence. For example, the normalized Shannon entropy and the statistical complexity of the QRWs-based PRNG are 0.999699456771172 and 1.799961178212329e-04 respectively given the number of 8 bits-words, say, 16Mbits. By contrast, the corresponding values of the QCM-based PRNG are 0.999448131481064 and 3.701210794388818e-04 respectively. Thus the statistical complexity and the normalized entropy of the QRWs-based PRNG are closer to 0 and 1 respectively than those of the QCM-based PRNG when the number of words of the analyzed sequence increases. It provides a new clue to construct PRNGs and also extends the applications of quantum computation.
Generating high-quality random numbers is essential for cryptography, statistical simulations, and cybersecurity. While pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) are computationally efficient, their deterministic nature introduces potential security vulnerabilities. Recent research has explored chaotic systems as entropy sources due to their sensitivity to initial conditions-a key property for randomness generation. An emerging direction involves leveraging chaos in quantum systems. This paper proposes a quantum-inspired PRNG based on the Quantum Kicked Rotor (QKR), a well-known model in quantum chaos exhibiting complex dynamics such as dynamical localization. The method simulates the QKR and extracts pseudo-random sequences through momentum basis measurements. The generated sequences are evaluated for statistical quality, including the NIST 800-22 standard, which passed all 15 test. The sequences exhibit strong non-periodicity, a critical property for secure cryptographic applications. The proposed approach combines the unpredictability of quantum chaos with the scalability of classical simulation, offering a practical and efficient alternative for secure random number generation.
Cryptographic random number generation is critical for any quantum-safe encryption. Based on the natural uncertainty of some quantum processes, a variety of quantum random number generators, or QRNGs, have been created with physical quantum processes. These typically generate random numbers with good unpredictable randomness. Of course, physical QRNGs are costic and require physical integrations with computing systems. This paper proposes a pseudo quantum random number generator with a quantum algorithm called a quantum permutation pad, or QPP, leveraging the high entropy of quantum permutation space for its bijective transformation. Unlike Boolean algebra, where the size of information space is 2nfor an n-bit system, an n-bit quantum permutation space consists of 2n! quantum permutation matrices, representing all quantum permutation gates over an n-bit computational basis. This permutation space holds an equivalent Shannon information entropy of log2(2n!). A QPP can be used to create a pseudo-QRNG or pQRNG capable of integration with any classical computing system, or directly with any application, for good-quality deterministic random number generation. Using a QPP pad with 64 8-bit permuation matrices, a pQRNG holds 107,776 bits of entropy for pseudo-random number generation, compared with 4,096 bits of entropy in Linux /dev/random. It can be used as a deterministic PRNG or as an entropy booster for other PRNGs. It can also be used as a whitening algorithm for any hardware random number generator, including QRNGs, without discarding physical bias bits.
The generation of true randomness remains a significant challenge in computer science, particularly when relying solely on classical algorithms. Many current approaches employ pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs), which, despite their computational efficiency, are inherently predictable and lack genuine randomness. This paper proposes a novel method for algorithmic randomness generation leveraging the principles of quantum walks. We demonstrate that the inherent uncertainty and superposition properties of quantum systems provide a robust mechanism for generating truly random numbers. Specifically, we outline a framework for designing quantum walks on graphs, where the evolution of the walker's state is fundamentally probabilistic and unpredictable. The core of our approach resides in exploiting the quantum walk's non-deterministic nature to produce sequences of numbers that exhibit statistical properties consistent with true randomness. The theoretical framework is presented, including a detailed description of the mathematical formalism underlying the quantum walk and the probability distribution of the walker's positions. We highlight the potential advantages of this approach, particularly in scenarios demanding high-quality randomness for cryptographic applications or simulations. The key concept is to translate a classical problem into a quantum one, where the inherent probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics offers a superior solution to the problem of generating genuine randomness.
Abstract Quantum realizations have opened a new ways for computer science. The new characteristics and phenomenons allow us to create new algorithms for general proposes. An interesting topic is random number generation. There are two perspectives for this proposes. True random numbers generator (TRN) and pseudo random numbers generator (PRNG). True Random Number Generators has four significant characteristics: randomness, long Period, insensitivity to seeds, repeatability. Additionally, Pseudo Random Number Generators is a fascinating topic that leverages the principles of computer science to craft deterministic algorithms, enabling the creation of a sequence of pseudo-random numbers. A crucial element in this process is the 'seed', which serves as the initial value to generate the entire sequence. This document proposes a algorithm based on a quantum system and the quasi-probability of its possible states to generate a long set of numbers which has pseudo random properties. The quantum system is compound by n qubits, its initial conditions and a small set of rotation gates with a fixed angle. The tests were realized using the battery test called NIST SP800-22, and alpha=0.01 as a threshold to ensures 99\% of precision. The results demonstrate that it is possible generate a long set of pseudo numbers with random characteristics using a quantum simple operation. However, the experiments reveal that a real world implementation require a quantum system with at least 10-9 precision order.
This work presents a comparative study of pseudo-random (PRNG) and quantum-random (QRNG) number generators based on a combination of random-walk-based variance analysis and uniformity assessment. The analysis shows that the quantum source presents the expected variability patterns and exhibits closer agreement with an ideal uniform distribution, while pseudo-random shows wider dispersion and bias. These findings indicate that QRNG presents better performance for applications that require the highest levels of randomness integrity.
We discuss the current state of the art of Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG) and their possible applications in the search for quantum advantages. To this aim, we first discuss a possible way of benchmarking QRNG by applying them to the computation of complicated and hard to realize classical simulations, such as critical dynamics in two-dimensional Ising lattices. These are performed with the help of computing devices based on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or graphic processing units (GPUs). The results obtained for QRNG are compared with those obtained by classical pseudo-random number generators (PRNG) of various qualities. Monte Carlo simulations of critical dynamics in moderate lattice sizes (128$\times$128) start to be sensitive to the correlations present in pseudo-random numbers sequences, allowing us to detect them. By comparing our analysis with that of Ref. [PRE {\bf 93}, 022113 (2016)], we estimate the requirements for QRNGs in terms of speed, rapidity of access, and efficiency to achieve the objective of quantum advantage with respect to the best PRNGs. We discuss the technical challenges associated with this objective.