Physics and simulation of optoelectronic devices. Conference
Fast physical-random number generation using laser diode's frequency noise: influence of frequency discriminator
Kouhei Matsumoto, Yuki Kasuya, Mitsuki Yumoto, Takashi G. Sato, Masashi Ohkawa, Hideaki Arai, Shuichi Sakamoto, Yasuo Ohdaira
Abstract
Not so long ago, pseudo random numbers generated by numerical formulae were considered to be adequate for encrypting important data-files, because of the time needed to decode them. With today’s ultra high-speed processors, however, this is no longer true. So, in order to thwart ever-more advanced attempts to breach our system’s protections, cryptologists have devised a method that is considered to be virtually impossible to decode, and uses what is a limitless number of physical random numbers. This research describes a method, whereby laser diode’s frequency noise generate a large quantities of physical random numbers. Using two types of photo detectors (APD and PIN-PD), we tested the abilities of two types of lasers (FP-LD and VCSEL) to generate random numbers. In all instances, an etalon served as frequency discriminator, the examination pass rates were determined using NIST FIPS140-2 test at each bit, and the Random Number Generation (RNG) speed was noted.