Physical Random Number Research Articles

Generation of physical random numbers by means of photon counting

AbstractRandom numbers were generated using the probabilistic behavior of a single photon in an optical fiber coupler. An optical fiber coupler (1:1 split ratio) distributes with equal probability a single photon to two optical paths. Therefore, a binary random number sequence was obtained. This random number generation rate was 2.94 Mbit/s. We found from the results of examining the obtained random number sequence that correlation appears between adjacent numbers of random numbers because there is a dead‐time (Td=50ns) in the photon detector. Therefore, we created a new random number sequence by sampling every second random number. This random number sequence did pass statistical tests for independence and uniformity. Consequently, the random number generation rate was 1.47 Mbit/s. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(2): 1–8, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20229

Generation of physical random number using the lowest bit of an A-D converter

One of the methods of generating physical random numbers is the use of electrical signals. Previously, when random numbers have been generated from electrical signals, a threshold value has been imposed on the signal level and “0” and “1” have been assigned depending on whether this threshold value was exceeded. In the present paper, the lowest bit of an A-D converter is used so as to demonstrate that high-speed generation of random numbers, which is not achievable by the conventional method, is now possible. Further, it is demonstrated that random numbers can be generated by fluctuations of an oscillator instead by a special noise generator. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 89(6): 13–21, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley. com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20215

Random number generators and causality

We advance a prescription to randomize physical or algorithmic Random Number Generators (RNG's) that do not pass Marsaglia's DIEHARD test suite and discuss a special physical quantifier, based on an intensive statistical complexity measure, that is able to adequately assess the improvements produced thereby. Eight RNG's are evaluated and the associated results are compared to those obtained by recourse to Marsaglia's DIEHARD test suite. Our quantifier, which is evaluated using causality arguments, can forecast whether a given RNG will pass the above mentioned test.

Generation of physical random number using frequency-modulated LC oscillation circuit with shot noise

The authors previously published a physical method for the generation of random numbers by a variable capacitance parametron, which can generate uniform random numbers without periodicity. It is considered possible to generate random numbers with an ordinary oscillator if the oscillation frequency is made unstable. As a method of introducing instability, frequency modulation of an LC oscillator with shot noise is considered. The present paper describes experiments with an LC oscillator to which shot noise is applied. An evaluation of statistical randomness (FIPS140-2) is carried out for the generated number sequence as cryptographic random numbers. It is shown that generation of random numbers is possible. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 88(5): 12–19, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20149

Physical random number generator based on MOS structure after soft breakdown

We present a novel physical random number generator (RNG) that uses a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitor after soft breakdown (SBD) as a random source. It is known that the electrical properties of MOS capacitors after SBD show large fluctuation. When the resistor in an astable multivibrator is replaced with an MOS capacitor after SBD, the multivibrator converts the noise signal into a rectangular wave whose period fluctuates randomly. A 1-bit counter and a flip-flop are used to generate random numbers from the fluctuating rectangular wave. Some high-level tests indicate that the generated random numbers have excellent quality for cryptographic applications. Even though our circuit is small and can be constructed using about 20 complementary-MOS logic gates and several passive devices, high-quality random numbers such as those generated by large physical RNGs can be obtained.

Biometric random number generators

Up to now biometric methods have been used in cryptography for authentication purposes. In this paper we propose to use biological data for generating sequences of random bits. We point out that this new approach could be particularly useful to generate seeds for pseudo-random number generators and so-called “key sessions”. Our method is very simple and is based on the observation that, for typical biometric readings, the last binary digits fluctuate “randomly”. We apply our method to two data sets, the first based on animal neurophysiological brain responses and the second on human galvanic skin response. For comparison we also test our approach on numerical samplings of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck stochastic process. To verify the randomness of the sequences generated, we apply the standard suite of statistical tests (FIPS 140-2) recommended by the National Institute of Standard and Technology for studying the quality of the physical random number generators, especially those implemented in cryptographic modules. Additionally, to confirm the high cryptographic quality of the biometric generators, we also use the often recommended Maurer's universal test and the Lempel–Ziv complexity test, which estimate the entropy of the source. The results of all these verifications show that, after appropriate choice of encoding and experimental parameters, the sequences obtained exhibit excellent statistical properties, which opens the possibility of a new design technology for true random number generators. It remains a challenge to find appropriate biological phenomena characterized by easy accessibility, fast sampling rate, high accuracy of measurement and variability of sampling rate.

CORRELATIONS OF CONTINUOUS RANDOM DATA WITH MAJOR WORLD EVENTS

The interaction of consciousness and physical systems is most often discussed in theoretical terms, usually with reference to the epistemo-logical and ontological challenges of quantum theory. Less well known is a growing literature reporting experiments that examine the mind-matter relationship empirically. Here we describe data from a global network of physical random number generators that shows unexpected structure apparently associated with major world events. Arbitrary samples from the continuous, four-year data archive meet rigorous criteria for randomness, but pre-specified samples corresponding to events of broad regional or global importance show significant departures of distribution parameters from expectation. These deviations also correlate with a quantitative index of daily news intensity. Focused analyses of data recorded on September 11, 2001, show departures from random expectation in several statistics. Contextual analyses indicate that these cannot be attributed to identifiable physical interactions and may be attributable to some unidentified interaction associated with human consciousness.

Physical Random Numbers Generated by Radioactivity

Physical Random Numbers Generated by Radioactivity

A fast and compact quantum random number generator

We present the realization of a physical quantum random number generator based on the process of splitting a beam of photons on a beam splitter, a quantum mechanical source of true randomness. By utilizing either a beam splitter or a polarizing beam splitter, single photon detectors and high speed electronics the presented devices are capable of generating a binary random signal with an autocorrelation time of 11.8 ns and a continuous stream of random numbers at a rate of 1 Mbit/s. The randomness of the generated signals and numbers is shown by running a series of tests upon data samples. The devices described in this paper are built into compact housings and are simple to operate.

Recurrence quantification analysis as an empirical test to distinguish relatively short deterministic versus random number series

A simple data analysis strategy based on the scoring of recurrences, allowed us to distinguish relatively short runs of (i) a chaotic system (logistic map), (ii) transcendental numbers ( π), (iii) pseudo-random numbers, and (iv) physical random numbers (atmospheric noise). Beside the theoretical implications of distinguishing transcendental and pseudo-random numbers from physical noise, these results suggest a test

Optical quantum random number generator

A physical random number generator based on the intrinsic randomness of quantum mechanics is described. The random events are realized by the choice of single photons between the two outputs of a beam splitter. We present a simple device, which minimizes the impact of the photon counters' noise, dead-time and after pulses.

Physical Random Number and Arithmetic Random Number

Physical Random Number and Arithmetic Random Number