Practical Semi-Device Independent Randomness Generation Based on Quantum State's Indistinguishability

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a practical semi-device independent quantum random number generator using time-bin encoding, combining security, simplicity, and scalability for potential commercial applications.

Contribution

It introduces a new semi-DI QRNG protocol based on energy bounds and input-output correlations, with experimental validation using simple, off-the-shelf components.

Findings

Achieved secure randomness certification with a simple setup

Validated protocol's effectiveness through experiments with time-bin encoding

Provided a semidefinite programming approach for min-entropy bounds

Abstract

Semi-device independent (Semi-DI) quantum random number generators (QRNG) gained attention for security applications, offering an excellent trade-off between security and generation rate. This paper presents a proof-of-principle time-bin encoding semi-DI QRNG experiments based on a prepare-and-measure scheme. The protocol requires two simple assumptions and a measurable condition: an upper-bound on the prepared pulses' energy. We lower-bound the conditional min-entropy from the energy-bound and the input-output correlation, determining the amount of genuine randomness that can be certified. Moreover, we present a generalized optimization problem for bounding the min-entropy in the case of multiple-input and outcomes in the form of a semidefinite program (SDP). The protocol is tested with a simple experimental setup, capable of realizing two configurations for the ternary time-bin encoding scheme. The experimental setup is easy-to-implement and comprises commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) components at the telecom wavelength, granting a secure and certifiable entropy source. The combination of ease-of-implementation, scalability, high-security level, and output-entropy make our system a promising candidate for commercial QRNGs.