Randomness generation based on spontaneous emissions of lasers

TL;DR

This paper investigates the quantum randomness generated from laser phase fluctuations, attributing it to spontaneous emissions, and provides a physical model to optimize the speed of random number generation.

Contribution

It develops a physical model explaining laser phase fluctuation randomness from spontaneous emissions and guides optimal experimental design for maximum speed.

Findings

Randomness stems from spontaneous emissions in lasers.

Laser phase fluctuations can be modeled by Brownian motion.

Detection device resolution limits randomness generation speed.

Abstract

Random number plays a key role in information science, especially in cryptography. Based on the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, quantum random number generators can produce genuine randomness. In particular, random numbers can be produced from laser phase fluctuations with a very high speed, typically in the Gbps regime. In this work, by developing a physical model, we investigate the origin of the randomness in quantum random number generators based on laser phase fluctuations. We show how the randomness essentially stems from spontaneous emissions. The laser phase fluctuation can be quantitatively evaluated from basic principles and also qualitatively explained by the Brownian motion model. After taking account of practical device precision, we show that the randomness generation speed is limited by the finite resolution of detection devices. Our result also provides the optimal experiment design in order to achieve the maximum generation speed.