Abstract
A remarkable aspect of quantum theory is that certain measurement outcomes are entirely unpredictable to all possible observers. Such quantum events can be harnessed to generate numbers whose randomness is asserted based upon the underlying physical processes. We formally introduce, design and experimentally demonstrate an ultrafast optical quantum random number generator that uses a totally untrusted photonic source. While considering completely general quantum attacks, we certify and generate in real-time random numbers at a rate of $8.05\,$Gb/s with a rigorous security parameter of $10^{-10}$. Our security proof is entirely composable, thereby allowing the generated randomness to be utilised for arbitrary applications in cryptography and beyond. To our knowledge, this represents the fastest composably secure source of quantum random numbers ever reported.
Highlights
The inherent randomness of quantum theory, embodied by Born’s rule, creates fundamentally unpredictable events
Note that for the randomness generation experiment, measurement signals will be analyzed with an oscilloscope in order to precisely characterize the randomness found in each measurement while the realtime extraction of random numbers will be faithfully performed on a dedicated high-performance postprocessing board containing both an analog-todigital converter (ADC) and an field-programmable gate array (FPGA)
This work achieves the fastest generation of composably secure random numbers (i.e., quantum random number generator (QRNG) bit rate) ever reported, including the device-dependent homodyning result of [38], even though the latter implementation produces a higher quantum randomness generator (QRG) bit rate
Summary
The inherent randomness of quantum theory, embodied by Born’s rule, creates fundamentally unpredictable events. Perhaps the simplest conceptually is a so-called device-independent QRNG, which can take the form of a Bell test [3,4,5,6] In this case, the device must be composed of two isolated measurements that employ independently selected bases—a requirement that can be verified with high confidence. A series of intermediate approaches have appeared, commonly referred to as having partial device-independence, which yield a QRNG that permits abstraction from some of the devices while needing a detailed characterization of the remainder. These can be broadly classified as those that are independent of the measurement devices [10,11,12] or the sources [13]. Our framework is compatible with a wide range of optical detectors and avoids the need to trust or precisely characterize the source of light, as opposed to conventional vacuum homodyning wherein a trusted photonic source is a necessity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
