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 Lightwave Technology

Model, Validation, and Characterization of a Robust Quantum Random Number Generator Based on Photon Arrival Time Comparison

Alessandro Tomasi, Alessio Meneghetti, Nicola Massari, Leonardo Gasparini, Daniele Rucatti, Hesong Xu

Published Jun 5, 2018• 13 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) based on the detection of the arrival time of photons is presented. A stochastic model of the QRNG prototype is derived, showing its consistency with output data sets, in order to estimate the entropy produced by the device. Experimental data, in accord with the model, demonstrates the robustness of the approach versus possible variations of external parameters such as temperature or intensity of the light.

DOI
10.1109/jlt.2018.2829210

Related papers

Experimental demonstration of high-entropy time of arrival based optical QRNG qualifying stringent statistical tests

Anindita Banerjee, Anuj Sethia, Vijayalaxmi Mogiligidda +4 more

We report a demonstration of a high-entropy optical quantum random number generator (QRNG) based on photon arrival time. We have implemented the scheme with high-speed and high-precision electronics with a time resolution of 1 ps generating 115 Mbps raw data. The random bit generation efficiency is 8 bits per detection. The experimental data is quite consistent with theoretical estimation showing minimum bias. We apply a real-time information-theoretic randomness extractor to generate a final data rate of 109 Mbps. The randomness is rigorously evaluated against well-known statistical test suites of NIST, ENT, Diehard, TU-01 and Dieharder.

arXiv:2108.06112•Aug 13, 2021•2 citations

Secure post-processing for non-ideal photon arrival time based quantum random number generator

Balázs Solymos, László Bacsárdi

Utilizing the inherently unpredictable nature of quantum mechanics, quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can provide randomness for applications where quality entropy (like in the case of cryptography) is essential. We present a post-processing scheme utilizing min-entropy estimation and hashing for optical QRNGs based on measuring individual photon arrival times. Our method allows for the handling of possible errors due to non-ideal components or even a potential attacker, given some basic assumptions to reliably produce a safe, good quality, uniformly distributed bitstream as output. We validate our results with an intentionally non-ideal measurement setup to show robustness, while also statistically testing our final output with four popular statistical test suites.

Híradástechnika/Infocommunications journal•Jan 1, 2024•1 citation

Evaluating quantumness, efficiency and cost of quantum random number generators via photon statistics*

Goutam Paul, Nirupam Basak, Soumya Das

Abstract This work presents two significant contributions from the perspectives of quantum random number generator (QRNG) manufacturers and users. For manufacturers, the conventional method of assessing the quantumness of single-photon-based QRNGs through mean and variance comparisons of photon counts is statistically unreliable due to finite sample sizes. Given the sub-Poissonian statistics of single photons, confirming the underlying distribution is crucial for validating a QRNG’s quantumness. We propose a more efficient two-fold statistical approach to ensure the quantumness of optical sources with the desired confidence level. Additionally, we demonstrate that the output of QRNGs from exponential and uniform distributions exhibits similarity under device noise, deriving corresponding photon statistics and conditions for ε-randomness. From the user’s perspective, the fundamental parameters of a QRNG are quantumness, efficiency (entropy and random number generation rate), and cost. Our analysis reveals that these parameters depend on three factors, namely, expected photon count per unit time, external reference cycle duration, and detection efficiency. A lower expected photon count enhances entropy but increases cost and decreases the generation rate. A shorter external reference cycle boosts entropy but must exceed a minimum threshold to minimize timing errors, with minor impacts on cost and rate. Lower detection efficiency enhances entropy and lowers cost but reduces the generation rate. Finally, to validate our results, we perform statistical tests like NIST, Dieharder, AIS-31, ENT etc over the data simulated with different values of the above parameters. Our findings can empower manufacturers to customize QRNGs to meet user needs effectively.

arXiv:2405.14085•Journal of Optics•Aug 1, 2025•0 citations

A Bias-Free Quantum Random Number Generation Using Photon Arrival Time Selectively

Jian-min Wang, Tianyu Xie, Hongfei Zhang +3 more

We present a high-quality bias-free quantum random number generator (QRNG) using photon arrival time selectively, in accordance with the number of photon detection events within a sampling time interval in attenuated light. It is well shown in both theoretical analysis and experimental verification that this random number production method eliminates both bias and correlation perfectly without more postprocessing and that the random number can clearly pass the standard randomness tests. We fulfill theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the method whose rate can reach up to 45 Mb/s.

arXiv:1412.0171•IEEE photonics journal•Feb 10, 2015•295 citations

A SPAD-Based Random Number Generator Pixel Based on the Arrival Time of Photons

Nicola Massari, Leonardo Gasparini, Alessio Meneghetti +1 more

A quantum random generator based on photon detection is here presented. The system consists of a source of photons, typically a commercial LED, coupled with a detector with single photon detection capability. The detector in this case is represented by a single pixel consisting of a SPAD and a time stamp circuit, which samples the arrival time of impinging photons within a predefined temporal window. The proposed implementation increases the efficiency of random bit extraction and reduces the afterpulsing probability, which can introduce undesirable correlation to the measurement. Preliminary results are reported, showing that the pixel has a flat behavior for a relevant range of intensity of the light, which makes the pixel robust against variations of external PVT parameters

IEEE International Conference on New Generation of Circuits and Systems (NGCAS)•Sep 1, 2017•5 citations

Experimental Time-of-Arrival Quantum Random Number Generation with Dead Time Overestimation

Ágoston Schranz, Balázs Solymos, Miklós Telek

A measurement-based validation of theoretical results on quantum random number generators (QRNGs) is considered in the paper. We have designed an experimental setup built around a single-photon detector to record random datasets of photon arrival time differences with various parameter settings. The collected datasets are used to generate random bit sequences with and without dead time overestimation. The statistical properties of the bit sequences are compared with analytical results on the one hand and assessed with four of the most popular statistical test suites on the other hand. The measurement results validate that the dead time overestimation algorithm helps to eliminate unwanted correlations from the generated bit sequences in practice.

International Balkan Conference on Communications and Networking (BalkanCom)•Jun 3, 2024•0 citations
A Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) based on the detection of the arrival time of photons is presented. A stochastic model of the QRNG prototype is derived, showing its consistency with output data sets, in order to estimate the entropy produced by the device. Experimental data, in accord with the model, demonstrates the robustness of the approach versus possible variations of external parameters such as temperature or intensity of the light.
We report a demonstration of a high-entropy optical quantum random number generator (QRNG) based on photon arrival time. We have implemented the scheme with high-speed and high-precision electronics with a time resolution of 1 ps generating 115 Mbps raw data. The random bit generation efficiency is 8 bits per detection. The experimental data is quite consistent with theoretical estimation showing minimum bias. We apply a real-time information-theoretic randomness extractor to generate a final data rate of 109 Mbps. The randomness is rigorously evaluated against well-known statistical test suites of NIST, ENT, Diehard, TU-01 and Dieharder.
Utilizing the inherently unpredictable nature of quantum mechanics, quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can provide randomness for applications where quality entropy (like in the case of cryptography) is essential. We present a post-processing scheme utilizing min-entropy estimation and hashing for optical QRNGs based on measuring individual photon arrival times. Our method allows for the handling of possible errors due to non-ideal components or even a potential attacker, given some basic assumptions to reliably produce a safe, good quality, uniformly distributed bitstream as output. We validate our results with an intentionally non-ideal measurement setup to show robustness, while also statistically testing our final output with four popular statistical test suites.
Abstract This work presents two significant contributions from the perspectives of quantum random number generator (QRNG) manufacturers and users. For manufacturers, the conventional method of assessing the quantumness of single-photon-based QRNGs through mean and variance comparisons of photon counts is statistically unreliable due to finite sample sizes. Given the sub-Poissonian statistics of single photons, confirming the underlying distribution is crucial for validating a QRNG’s quantumness. We propose a more efficient two-fold statistical approach to ensure the quantumness of optical sources with the desired confidence level. Additionally, we demonstrate that the output of QRNGs from exponential and uniform distributions exhibits similarity under device noise, deriving corresponding photon statistics and conditions for ε-randomness. From the user’s perspective, the fundamental parameters of a QRNG are quantumness, efficiency (entropy and random number generation rate), and cost. Our analysis reveals that these parameters depend on three factors, namely, expected photon count per unit time, external reference cycle duration, and detection efficiency. A lower expected photon count enhances entropy but increases cost and decreases the generation rate. A shorter external reference cycle boosts entropy but must exceed a minimum threshold to minimize timing errors, with minor impacts on cost and rate. Lower detection efficiency enhances entropy and lowers cost but reduces the generation rate. Finally, to validate our results, we perform statistical tests like NIST, Dieharder, AIS-31, ENT etc over the data simulated with different values of the above parameters. Our findings can empower manufacturers to customize QRNGs to meet user needs effectively.
We present a high-quality bias-free quantum random number generator (QRNG) using photon arrival time selectively, in accordance with the number of photon detection events within a sampling time interval in attenuated light. It is well shown in both theoretical analysis and experimental verification that this random number production method eliminates both bias and correlation perfectly without more postprocessing and that the random number can clearly pass the standard randomness tests. We fulfill theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the method whose rate can reach up to 45 Mb/s.
A quantum random generator based on photon detection is here presented. The system consists of a source of photons, typically a commercial LED, coupled with a detector with single photon detection capability. The detector in this case is represented by a single pixel consisting of a SPAD and a time stamp circuit, which samples the arrival time of impinging photons within a predefined temporal window. The proposed implementation increases the efficiency of random bit extraction and reduces the afterpulsing probability, which can introduce undesirable correlation to the measurement. Preliminary results are reported, showing that the pixel has a flat behavior for a relevant range of intensity of the light, which makes the pixel robust against variations of external PVT parameters
A measurement-based validation of theoretical results on quantum random number generators (QRNGs) is considered in the paper. We have designed an experimental setup built around a single-photon detector to record random datasets of photon arrival time differences with various parameter settings. The collected datasets are used to generate random bit sequences with and without dead time overestimation. The statistical properties of the bit sequences are compared with analytical results on the one hand and assessed with four of the most popular statistical test suites on the other hand. The measurement results validate that the dead time overestimation algorithm helps to eliminate unwanted correlations from the generated bit sequences in practice.