A tunable quantum random number generator based on a fiber-optical Sagnac interferometer

• Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) are based on naturally random measurementresults performed on individual quantum systems. Here, we demonstrate a branching-pathphotonic QRNG implemented using a Sagnac interferometer with a tunable splitting ratio. Thefine-tuning of the splitting ratio allows us to maximize the entropy of the generated sequence ofrandom numbers and effectively compensate for tolerances in the components. By producingsingle-photons from attenuated telecom laser pulses, and employing commercially-availablecomponents we are able to generate a sequence of more than 2 gigabytes of random numberswith an average entropy of 7.99 bits/byte directly from the raw measured data. Furthermore, oursequence passes randomness tests from both the NIST and Dieharder statistical test suites, thuscertifying its randomness. Our scheme shows an alternative design of QRNGs based on thedynamic adjustment of the uniformity of the produced random sequence, which is relevant forthe construction of modern generators that rely on independent real-time testing of itsperformance.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Matematik -- Sannolikhetsteori och statistik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Mathematics -- Probability Theory and Statistics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

quantum random number generation

tunable beamsplitter

fiber-optic Sagnac interferometer

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