Loss-tolerant measurement-device-independent quantum random number generation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a loss-tolerant measurement-device-independent quantum random number generator that removes detector side channels and is practical with standard optical components, enhancing security and efficiency.

Contribution

It proposes a novel QRNG scheme that is robust against losses and detector imperfections without requiring high efficiency or nonlocality tests, simplifying implementation.

Findings

Protocol can be implemented with standard optical components.

Security analysis includes new techniques for randomness quantification.

Simulation shows practical feasibility with coherent state lasers.

Abstract

Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) output genuine random numbers based upon the uncertainty principle. A QRNG contains two parts in general --- a randomness source and a readout detector. How to remove detector imperfections has been one of the most important questions in practical randomness generation. We propose a simple solution, measurement-device-independent QRNG, which not only removes all detector side channels but is robust against losses. In contrast to previous fully device-independent QRNGs, our scheme does not require high detector efficiency or nonlocality tests. Simulations show that our protocol can be implemented efficiently with a practical coherent state laser and other standard optical components. The security analysis of our QRNG consists mainly of two parts: measurement tomography and randomness quantification, where several new techniques are developed to characterize the randomness associated with a positive-operator valued measure.