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Optics Letters

Experimental three-party quantum random number generator based on dimension witness violation and weak measurement

Xue-Bi An, Hong-Wei Li, Zhen−Qiang Yin, Mengjun Hu, Wei Huang, Bingjie Xu, Shuang Wang, Wei Chen, Guang‐Can Guo, Zheng‐Fu Han

Published Jul 12, 2018• 14 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Random number generation is an important task in modern science. A variety of quantum random number generation protocols have been proposed and realized. These protocols, however, are all based on two parties. Based on the weak measurement technique, we propose and realize a quantum random number generator among three observers. The violation of a double classical dimension witness based on the determinant value is first observed in experiment. With the heralding single-photon source, our experimental setup attains the independent assumption and the dimension assumption, which means our setup is semi-device-independent (DI). This Letter sheds new light on generating DI-type random number among multi-user and it has potential application prospect on the quantum cryptography and quantum random number in network environment.

DOI
10.1364/ol.43.003437

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Random number generation is an important task in modern science. A variety of quantum random number generation protocols have been proposed and realized. These protocols, however, are all based on two parties. Based on the weak measurement technique, we propose and realize a quantum random number generator among three observers. The violation of a double classical dimension witness based on the determinant value is first observed in experiment. With the heralding single-photon source, our experimental setup attains the independent assumption and the dimension assumption, which means our setup is semi-device-independent (DI). This Letter sheds new light on generating DI-type random number among multi-user and it has potential application prospect on the quantum cryptography and quantum random number in network environment.
Abstract Dimension is an important resource in quantum information theory. Based on weak measurement technology, we propose the three-observer dimension witness protocol in a prepare-and-measure setup. By applying the dimension witness inequality based on the quantum random access code and the nonlinear determinant value, we demonstrate that double classical dimension witness violation is achievable if we choose appropriate weak measurement parameters. Analysis of the results will shed new light on the interplay between the multi-observer quantum dimension witness and the weak measurement technology, which can also be applied in the generation of semi-device-independent quantum random numbers and quantum key distribution protocols.
The random number is a paramount issue in modern science. How to estimate the genuine randomness of the data generated by a given device is a central problem. Lunghi et al. proposed a self-testing quantum random number generator from a prepare-and-measure scenario with independent devices. Based on this Letter, Han et al. proposed a more efficient method (Han16 protocol for short) to estimate the genuine randomness. Here we report a proof-of-principle realization of the Han16 protocol with a HSPS. The experimental results demonstrate that the Han16 protocol almost doubles the generation rate of the quantum random number with regard to the previous protocol. In addition, the results of the experiment show that the Han16 protocol is practical, and the experimental device can tolerate loss and noise.
Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) produce true random numbers based on the inherent randomness of quantum theory, rendering them a foundational segment of quantum cryptography. Distinguished from trusted-device QRNGs whose security depends on characterized devices, semi-device-independent (semi-DI) QRNGs permit partial devices to be defective or even maliciously manipulated, which achieves a good trade-off between generation rate and security. In this paper, we propose a semi-DI QRNG that resists general attacks while accounting for finite-size effects. The protocol requires no rigorous characterization of the source and measurement devices other than limiting the energy of the emitted states, significantly reducing the demands on practical QRNG systems. Leveraging the tight Kato inequality for correlated variables, we show that our protocol generates more randomness than it consumes. Furthermore, we demonstrate the scheme on a continuous-variable system with ternary inputs of states. Heterodyne detection is employed to enable phase compensation through data postprocessing, alleviating the stringent requirement on system stability. The system operates at 100 MHz, achieving a net random number generation rate of 1.165 Mbps at 5.3x10^9 rounds. Our work offers a promising approach to achieve both the robust security and high generation rate with a simple experimental setup.
Randomness is a very important resource for cryptography, algorithms, and scientific simulations. Since all classical processes are considered to be intrinsically deterministic, we must build quantum random number generators which utilize quantum processes to generate true randomness. Quantum random number generators have been realized in different quantum systems, including quantum optical systems, and trapped ions. Here we present a proof-of-concept random number generator based on a nuclear spin system for the first time. The state preparation and measurements are performed with high-fidelity operations in our system. The entropy of randomness in the experimental data is quantified by two dimension witness certification protocols, which require no detailed models to describe the experimental devices but only some general assumptions, such as the limited dimensionality and the independence of the experimental devices.
Random number generation is vital for cryptography. The classical world faces inherent limitations in generating provably true random numbers. Quantum mechanics, however, provides a natural foundation for genuinely unpredictable outcomes. In random number generation protocols, source-independent protocols ensure security even with untrusted source devices. Hence, we propose a sourceindependent expansion protocol with partially free sources to balance security and feasibility. In our proposed protocol, an untrusted source is interrogated by trusted measurement devices, utilizing a partially free source for randomness expansion. Based on Quantum random access codes (QRACs) in a three-dimensional Hilbert space with partially free source, we construct a quantum witness, derive the relationship between randomness generation efficiency and the violation of this witness. This demonstrates the advantage of utilizing higher-dimensional systems to generate more certified randomness.
By testing the classical correlation violation between two systems, true random numbers can be generated and certified without applying classical statistical method. In this work, we propose a true random-number expansion protocol without entanglement, where the randomness can be guaranteed only by the two-dimensional quantum witness violation. Furthermore, we only assume that the dimensionality of the system used in the protocol has a tight bound, and the whole protocol can be regarded as a semi-device-independent black-box scenario. Compared with the device-independent random-number expansion protocol based on entanglement, our protocol is much easier to implement and test.