Unpredictable and Uniform RNG based on time of arrival using InGaAs Detectors

TL;DR

This paper presents a quantum random number generator based on the time of arrival of photons detected by InGaAs detectors, achieving high-quality randomness with a high data rate and eliminating the need for randomness extractors.

Contribution

The authors introduce a novel quantum RNG method using photon arrival times at telecommunication wavelengths, achieving the highest reported bits per arrival and simplifying the generation process.

Findings

Generated 16 bits per photon arrival, the highest reported.

Achieved an average data rate of 2.4 Mbps.

Validated randomness quality against standard tests.

Abstract

Quantum random number generators are becoming mandatory in a demanding technology world of high performing learning algorithms and security guidelines. Our implementation based on principles of quantum mechanics enable us to achieve the required randomness. We have generated high-quality quantum random numbers from a weak coherent source at telecommunication wavelength. The entropy is based on time of arrival of quantum states within a predefined time interval. The detection of photons by the InGaAs single-photon detectors and high precision time measurement of 5 ps enables us to generate 16 random bits per arrival time which is the highest reported to date. We have presented the theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the random number generation methodology. The method eliminates the requirement of any randomness extractor to be applied thereby, leveraging the principles of quantum physics to generate random numbers. The output data rate is on an average of 2.4 Mbps. The raw quantum random numbers are compared with NIST prescribed Blum-Blum-Shub pseudo random number generator and an in-house built hardware random number generator from FPGA, on the ENT and NIST Platform.