Massively parallel ultrafast random bit generation with a chip-scale laser

Abstract

The security of our digital networks is underpinned by the ability to generate streams of random numbers or bits. As networks expand in an ever-connected way, the challenge is to increase the generation rate of the random numbers to keep pace with demand. Kim et al. designed a chip-scale laser diode that generates random bits at an ultrahigh rate (see the Perspective by Fischer and Gauthier). By tailoring the geometry of the cavity, they were able to exploit the spatiotemporal interference of many lasing modes to generate picosecond-scale emission intensity fluctuations in space and time, producing ultrafast random bit streams in parallel. Such a device will find a wide range of applications requiring an ultrafast, compact, robust, and energy-efficient random bit generator.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Feb 26, 2021
Source ID
10.1126/science.abc2666

Entities

People

  • Hui Cao
  • Kyungduk Kim
  • Ortwin Hess
  • Qi Jie Wang
  • Stefan Bittner
  • Stefano Guazzotti
  • Yongquan Zeng

Organizations

  • CentraleSupélec
  • Imperial College London
  • Nanyang Technological University
  • National Research Foundation
  • National Science Foundation
  • Office of Naval Research
  • Science Foundation Ireland
  • Trinity College Dublin
  • Yale University

Tags

Readers

  • Applied Combinatorial Optimization and Logic Circuit Design.
  • Mathematical Modeling and Probability Theory.
  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space