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A 2-Gbps low-SWaP quantum random number generator with photonic integrated circuits for satellite applications

Oliver M. Crampton, Toby J. Dowling, Thomas Roger, Peter Raymond Smith, J. F. Dynes, Matthew S. Winnel, Davide G. Marangon, Mirko Sanzaro, Ravinder Singh, Chithrabhanu Perumangatt, Joseph A. Dolphin, Taofiq K. Paraïso, Andrew J. Shields

Published Sep 26, 2025• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We introduce a low size, weight and power quantum random number generator (QRNG) utilizing compact integrated photonic asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs). Our QRNG is based on phase-diffusion in two gain-switched lasers interfered within two separate chip-AMZIs. By substituting the high-bit analog-to-digital converters, typically employed to digitize the random intensity signal from each laser, with clocked comparators we significantly reduce both the complexity and power consumption of the device. Furthermore, by performing the exclusive OR (XOR) operation on the output random bits of each channel we are able to reduce the processing requirements. The QRNG architecture can be integrated with an overhead power consumption of just 7.93 W, accounting for the opto-electronics and FPGA implementation, providing fast random number generation at up to 2 Gbps. We demonstrate the real-time seeding of a free-space decoy-state quantum key distribution system using our QRNG. Our design and implementation provides a practical solution for QRNGs requiring low-power and high bit rates. This advancement is important for practical QRNGs and particularly for application in resource-constrained environments such as space-based quantum key distribution.

DOI
10.1038/s41534-025-01100-2

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We introduce a low size, weight and power quantum random number generator (QRNG) utilizing compact integrated photonic asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZIs). Our QRNG is based on phase-diffusion in two gain-switched lasers interfered within two separate chip-AMZIs. By substituting the high-bit analog-to-digital converters, typically employed to digitize the random intensity signal from each laser, with clocked comparators we significantly reduce both the complexity and power consumption of the device. Furthermore, by performing the exclusive OR (XOR) operation on the output random bits of each channel we are able to reduce the processing requirements. The QRNG architecture can be integrated with an overhead power consumption of just 7.93 W, accounting for the opto-electronics and FPGA implementation, providing fast random number generation at up to 2 Gbps. We demonstrate the real-time seeding of a free-space decoy-state quantum key distribution system using our QRNG. Our design and implementation provides a practical solution for QRNGs requiring low-power and high bit rates. This advancement is important for practical QRNGs and particularly for application in resource-constrained environments such as space-based quantum key distribution.
Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can produce true random numbers. Yet, the two most important QRNG parameters highly desired for practical applications, i.e., speed and size, have to be compromised during implementations. Here, we present the fastest and miniaturized QRNG with a record real-time output rate as high as 18.8 Gbps by combining a photonic integrated chip and the technology of optimized randomness extraction. We assemble the photonic integrated circuit designed for vacuum state QRNG implementation, an InGaAs homodyne detector, and a high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifier into a single chip using hybrid packaging, which exhibits the excellent characteristics of integration and high-frequency response. With a sample rate of 2.5 GSa/s in a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter and subsequent paralleled postprocessing in a field programmable gate array, the QRNG outputs ultrafast random bitstreams via a fiber optic transceiver, whose real-time speed is validated in a personal computer.
Recent advancements in integrated photonics have shown great promise for the serial production of chip-scale quantum random number generators (QRNG). Considerable progress has been made towards developing fully on-chip QRNGs that exploit the interference of phase-randomized fields from two independent lasers. While a common alternative design, based on a single laser and interferometer, would further improve power consumption and ease of operation, monolithic integration of such a design has thus far faced challenges, including high losses and crosstalk. We solve these key challenges and report fast single-laser interferometric QRNGs integrated onto monolithic chips. By combining on-chip optical amplification with electronic common-mode rejection techniques, our photonic integrated circuits (PICs) stably convert the spontaneous emission phase noise of a diode laser into electronic pulses of high-contrast random intensity at GHz clock rates. Using real-time, hash-function-based randomness extraction, uniformly distributed, truly unpredictable random numbers are generated at a rate of 3 Gbps.
The quantum random number generator (QRNG) operates based on fundamental quantum mechanical principles to produce high-quality random numbers. Recently, chip-based QRNGs have garnered significant attention due to their compact size, low cost, and reduced power consumption. In this work, we demonstrate a hybrid integrated QRNG leveraging continuous-wave (CW) laser phase fluctuations. Using advanced hybrid packaging techniques, we integrate a tunable, unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer (uMZI), laser, and InGaAs photodiode (PD) within a 14-pin butterfly package. To enhance the long-term stability and reliability of the QRNG, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor is also attached to the chip for thermal regulation. The resulting integrated QRNG has a footprint of just 30 mm × 12.7 mm, and delivers a random number generation rate of 4.68 Gbps after min-entropy evaluation and post-processing. The combination of compact size and high-speed performance makes this hybrid integrated QRNG ideal for high-speed, large-scale applications.
Real-time high-speed mutually independent two-channel quantum random number generator (QRNG) device has been proposed using a programmable photonic integrated circuit in silicon photonics platform. Broadband random fluctuations of quantum photonic waveguide vacuum mode is harnessed in each of the mutually independent channels by mixing a guided coherent laser light operating at λ ∼ 1550 nm. All classical noises arising out of electrical, mechanical, thermal disturbances, etc. are minimized by the use of homodyne detection and appropriate programming of the photonic integrated circuit. The method of classical noise elimination has been supported with an appropriate theoretical modeling and experimental observations. The raw random number generation rate per channel was 4 Gbps, when the output signal from the homodyne detectors (bandwidth 1.6 GHz) was sampled at 500 MSa/s and subsequently digitized by a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter. We have also shown that the proposed PPIC design can be scaled up to higher number of channels using CMOS fabrication process compatible silicon photonics technology. Such mutually independent multi-channel QRNG sources are especially useful for high-speed chip-scale quantum key distribution (QKD) transceivers.
We demonstrate on-chip quantum random number generation at high data rates using the random phases of gain-switched laser pulses. Interference of the gain-switched pulses produced by two independent semiconductor lasers is performed on a photonic integrated circuit and the resulting pulse train is received and processed in real time using homebuilt capture electronics consisting of a field programmable gate array and a 10-bit digitizer. Random numbers with low correlation coefficient are shown for pulse clock rates of 1 GHz and data rates of 8 Gbps. The random numbers are also shown to successfully pass all tests within the National Institute for Standards and Technology test suite. The system provides genuine random numbers in a compact platform that can be readily integrated into existing quantum cryptographic technology.
Real-time high-speed mutually independent two-channel quantum random number generator (QRNG) device has been proposed using a programmable photonic integrated circuit in silicon photonics platform. Broadband random fluctuations of quantum photonic waveguide vacuum mode is harnessed in each of the mutually independent channels by mixing a guided coherent laser light operating at λ ∼ 1550 nm. All classical noises arising out of electrical, mechanical, thermal disturbances, etc. are minimized by the use of homodyne detection and appropriate programming of the photonic integrated circuit. The method of classical noise elimination has been supported with an appropriate theoretical modeling and experimental observations. The raw random number generation rate per channel was 4 Gbps, when the output signal from the homodyne detectors (bandwidth 1.6 GHz) was sampled at 500 MSa/s and subsequently digitized by a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter. We have also shown that the proposed PPIC design can be scaled up to higher number of channels using CMOS fabrication process compatible silicon photonics technology. Such mutually independent multi-channel QRNG sources are especially useful for high-speed chip-scale quantum key distribution (QKD) transceivers.