A quantum entropy source on an InP photonic integrated circuit for random number generation

TL;DR

This paper presents a high-speed quantum entropy source integrated on an InP photonic chip, utilizing two-laser interference and heterodyne detection, promising enhanced security and compactness for cryptography and data processing.

Contribution

It introduces a novel design for a quantum entropy source on an InP photonic integrated circuit, enabling high-speed, secure, and CMOS-compatible random number generation.

Findings

Achieved high-speed quantum random number generation.

Demonstrated integration compatibility with CMOS technology.

Provided security guarantees surpassing classical methods.

Abstract

Random number generators are essential to ensure performance in information technologies, including cryptography, stochastic simulations and massive data processing. The quality of random numbers ultimately determines the security and privacy that can be achieved, while the speed at which they can be generated poses limits to the utilisation of the available resources. In this work we propose and demonstrate a quantum entropy source for random number generation on an indium phosphide photonic integrated circuit made possible by a new design using two-laser interference and heterodyne detection. The resulting device offers high-speed operation with unprecedented security guarantees and reduced form factor. It is also compatible with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology, opening the path to its integration in computation and communication electronic cards, which is particularly relevant for the intensive migration of information processing and storage tasks from local premises to cloud data centres.