High-speed truly random number generator based on the random time distribution of single photons

Abstract

In this paper, we present a high-speed physical quantum random number generator using analog/digital converter (ADC), which is based on the random time distribution of single photons emitted by the stongly attenuated pulsed laser diode. With this scheme, the generation rate of random numbers can increase more than tenfold. A preliminary experiment consists of the time amplitude converter and 16 bit ADC, and the data generated by the system pass the pseudo-random number test program test standards. The experimental setup is efficient and robust against mechanical and temperature disturbances.