A High Speed, Post-Processing Free, Quantum Random Number Generator

TL;DR

This paper presents a high-speed quantum random number generator that produces bias-free random bits at over 4 Mbps without the need for post-processing, utilizing photon wavefunction collapse and random photon arrival times.

Contribution

The authors demonstrate a novel QRNG that operates at GHz frequencies, generating bias-free random numbers without post-processing, simplifying the device design.

Findings

Achieved a random bit generation rate of 4.01 Mbps.

Generated bias-free random sequences passing statistical tests.

Operates at GHz frequency using gated single photon detection.

Abstract

A quantum random number generator (QRNG) based on gated single photon detection of an InGaAs photodiode at GHz frequency is demonstrated. Owing to the extremely long coherence time of each photon, each photons' wavefuntion extends over many gating cycles of the photodiode. The collapse of the photon wavefunction on random gating cycles as well as photon random arrival time detection events are used to generate sequences of random bits at a rate of 4.01 megabits/s. Importantly, the random outputs are intrinsically bias-free and require no post-processing procedure to pass random number statistical tests, making this QRNG an extremely simple device.