Enhanced security for multi-detector Quantum Random Number Generators

TL;DR

This paper introduces an efficient method to estimate quantum min-entropy in multi-detector QRNGs, accounting for potential detector control by attackers, enhancing security assessment in cryptographic applications.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to evaluate quantum min-entropy in multi-detector QRNGs, considering adversarial control of detector efficiency and photon emission knowledge.

Findings

Method successfully estimates quantum min-entropy in multi-detector QRNGs.

Applicable to QRNGs with up to 1000 detectors.

Enhances security evaluation for cryptographic use of QRNGs.

Abstract

Quantum random number generators (QRNG) represent an advanced solution for randomness generation, essential in every cryptographic applications. In this context, integrated arrays of single photon detectors have promising applications as QRNGs based on the spatial detection of photons. For the employment of QRNGs in Cryptography, it is necessary to have efficient methods to evaluate the so called quantum min-entropy that corresponds to the amount of the true extractable quantum randomness from the QRNG. Here we present an efficient method that allow to estimate the quantum min-entropy for a multi-detector QRNG. In particular, we will consider a scenario in which an attacker can control the efficiency of the detectors and knows the emitted number of photons. Eventually, we apply the method to a QRNG with $10^3$ detectors.