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Nanomaterials

Quantum Random Number Generation Using Nanodiamonds and Nanopillar-Isolated Single NV Centers

Oskars Rudzitis, Reinis Lazda, V. Krumins, Heinrihs Meilerts, Mona Jani, Marcis P. Auzinsh

Published Mar 27, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum random number generation (QRNG) provides fundamentally unpredictable randomness derived from intrinsic quantum processes. In this work we demonstrate two solid-state, room-temperature QRNG implementations based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, i.e., ensemble fluorescence from nanodiamonds and single-photon emission from single NV centers located at the tips of fabricated diamond nanopillars for enhanced light collection efficiency, spatial isolation and minimized crosstalk. We compare entropy rates (above 0.98 bits), statistical performance, and robustness of both approaches in our experimental setup, the results contribute to establishing diamond-based QRNG as a scalable solution for quantum-secure randomness generation.

DOI
10.3390/nano16070404

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Quantum random number generation (QRNG) provides fundamentally unpredictable randomness derived from intrinsic quantum processes. In this work we demonstrate two solid-state, room-temperature QRNG implementations based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, i.e., ensemble fluorescence from nanodiamonds and single-photon emission from single NV centers located at the tips of fabricated diamond nanopillars for enhanced light collection efficiency, spatial isolation and minimized crosstalk. We compare entropy rates (above 0.98 bits), statistical performance, and robustness of both approaches in our experimental setup, the results contribute to establishing diamond-based QRNG as a scalable solution for quantum-secure randomness generation.
Quantum random number generation (QRNG) relies on the inherent unpredictability of quantum mechanical phenomena to efficiently generate high-quality random numbers that can be used in a wide range of cryptography and simulation applications. Here we report the experimental demonstration of QRNG from the arrival times of photons emitted by nitrogen vacancy (NV) centres in fluorescent nanodiamonds. The generation rates achieved range from 0.173 Mbits/s for a region with a single NV centre to 4.77 Mbits/s for a region with just under 50 NV centres, where the latter demonstrates an order of magnitude improvement compared to the highest generation rate previously achieved with NV centres. For all the regions investigated, the generated bits passed the ENT and NIST Statistical Test Suites without post-processing. The results are consistent with our theoretical analysis, where we show that the min-entropy is very close to the ideal value of one per bit for all the regions investigated. This work opens up new possibilities for robust QRNG in highly compact on-chip settings.
The development of reliable devices to generate single photons is crucial for applications in quantum cryptography, as well as for fundamental quantum optics experiments. Due to their extremely high photostability at room temperature, optically active defects in solids, the so called color centers, are among the most promising candidates. Single NV (nitrogen-vacancy) centers in diamond have been demonstrated to be able to generate single photons and have already shown advantages compared to attenuated laser pulses in a quantum cryptography experiment. The nitrogen-vacancy center (NV center) in diamond consists of a substitutional nitrogen atom and an adjacent vacancy. This complex exhibits an optical transition with a fluorescence lifetime of 11.6 ns. The room temperature spectrum of the NV center consists of the zero-phonon line at 637 nm and broad phononic sidebands with a FWHM of more than 100 nm. Due to the existence of a shelving level the efficiency of the NV center as a single photon source is limited. Additionally, the high diffraction index of bulk diamond restricts the efficiency to collect the fluorescence light.
Single-photon sources are essential for quantum technologies, supporting secure communication, quantum computing, and integrated photonic systems. Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds are robust emitters that operate at room temperature and can be positioned on-chip, but efficient coupling to photonic modes remains challenging. We present the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a silicon nitride photonic structure engineered to enhance and extract emission from NV centers. The device features a subwavelength gap between waveguides, a Bragg reflector for emission redirection, and an output waveguide for collection. Simulations guided the optimization of the geometry to increase the spontaneous emission rate through photonic confinement. Nanodiamonds were deposited into the gap using lithographic patterning and drop-casting. Fluorescence lifetime measurements confirm that the structure modifies the emission dynamics of the NV centers. The approach is compatible with scalable fabrication techniques and offers a practical route toward integrated, chip-based single-photon sources.
Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamond are photostable single photon emitters at room temperature and are considered to be promising candidates for integrated nanophotonics and quantum information processing. A successful implementation of NV centers in nanophotonic devices requires knowledge about the photophysical properties of each emitter such as brightness, decay rate and quantum efficiency. Recent reports show that not all NV centers in diamond nanocrystals are identical and indeed show distributions in brightness and decay rate [1,2]. Here, we report on experimental quantification of the quantum efficiency (QE) of individual nanodiamonds containing single NV centers. Additionally, we report on measurements of decay rate and brightness of single nanodiamond NV centers and discuss if/which NV centers are suitable emitters to be integrated in nanophotonic devices.
The development of a robust light source that emits one photon at a time is an outstanding challenge in quantum science and technology. Here, at the transition from many to single photon optical communication systems, fully quantum mechanical effects may be utilized to achieve new capabilities, most notably perfectly secure communication via quantum cryptography. Practical implementations place stringent requirements on the device properties, including stable photon generation, room temperature operation, and efficient extraction of many photons. Single photon light emitting devices based on fluorescent dye molecules, quantum dots, and carbon nanotube material systems have all been explored, but none have simultaneously demonstrated all criteria. Here, we describe the design, fabrication, and characterization of a bright source of single photons consisting of an individual Nitrogen-vacancy color center (NV center) in a diamond nanowire operating in ambient conditions. The nanowire plays a positive role in increasing the number of single photons collected from the NV center by an order of magnitude over devices based on bulk diamond crystals, and allows operation at an order of magnitude lower power levels. This result enables a new class of nanostructured diamond devices for room temperature photonic and quantum information processing applications, and will also impact fields as diverse as biological and chemical sensing, opto-mechanics, and scanning-probe microscopy.