Phase diffusion quantum entropy source on a silicon chip

TL;DR

This paper presents a compact silicon photonics-based quantum entropy source utilizing laser phase diffusion for high-speed, CMOS-compatible entropy generation suitable for secure communication applications.

Contribution

It introduces an integrated silicon chip implementing accelerated laser phase diffusion and an interferometer for efficient quantum entropy generation in a small footprint.

Findings

Achieved Gbps raw entropy-generation rates.

Demonstrated all components in silicon photonics compatible with CMOS.

Implemented a compact 0.5 mm x 1 mm device.

Abstract

We report an accelerated laser phase diffusion quantum entropy source with all non-laser optical and optoelectronic elements implemented in silicon photonics. The device uses efficient and robust single-laser accelerated phase diffusion methods, and implements the whole quantum entropy source scheme including an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer with optimized splitting ratio, in a 0.5 mmx1 mm footprint. We demonstrate Gbps raw entropy-generation rates in a technology compatible with conventional CMOS fabrication techniques.