Full randomness from arbitrarily deterministic events

TL;DR

This paper proves that full randomness can be certified from arbitrarily weak sources using quantum non-locality, under minimal assumptions, challenging the classical view of a deterministic universe and enabling new device-independent protocols.

Contribution

It demonstrates that quantum non-locality allows for full randomness amplification from weak sources with minimal assumptions, expanding foundational understanding and practical applications.

Findings

Full randomness can be certified with weak sources.

Quantum non-locality enables randomness amplification.

Results have implications for device-independent protocols.

Abstract

Do completely unpredictable events exist in nature? Classical theory, being fully deterministic, completely excludes fundamental randomness. On the contrary, quantum theory allows for randomness within its axiomatic structure. Yet, the fact that a theory makes prediction only in probabilistic terms does not imply the existence of any form of randomness in nature. The question then remains whether one can certify randomness independent of the physical framework used. While standard Bell tests approach this question from this perspective, they require prior perfect randomness, which renders the approach circular. Recently, it has been shown that it is possible to certify full randomness using almost perfect random bits. Here, we prove that full randomness can indeed be certified using quantum non-locality under the minimal possible assumptions: the existence of a source of arbitrarily weak (but non-zero) randomness and the impossibility of instantaneous signalling. Thus we are left with a strict dichotomic choice: either our world is fully deterministic or there exist in nature events that are fully random. Apart from the foundational implications, our results represent a quantum protocol for full randomness amplification, an information task known to be impossible classically. Finally, they open a new path for device-independent protocols under minimal assumptions.