Proposal for a quantum random number generator using coherent light and a non-classical observable
Abstract
The prototype quantum random number (random bit) generator (QRNG) consists of one photon at a time falling on a 50:50 beam splitter followed by random detection in one or the other output beams due to the irreducible probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Due to the difficulties in producing single photons on demand, in practice, pulses of weak coherent (laser) light are used. In this paper, we take a different approach, one that uses moderate coherent light. It is shown that a QRNG can be implemented by performing photon-number parity measurements. For moderate coherent light, the probabilities of obtaining even or odd parity in photon counts are 0.5 each. Photon counting with single-photon resolution can be performed through use of a cascade of beam splitters and single-photon detectors, as was done recently in a photon-number parity-based interferometry experiment involving coherent light. We highlight the point that unlike most quantum-based random number generators, our proposal does not require the use of classical de-biasing algorithms or post-processing of the generated bit sequence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1364/josab.441210
Entities
People
- Amr Hossameldin
- Christopher C. Gerry
- Miller Eaton
- Olivier Pfister
- Paul M. Alsing
- Richard J. Birrittella
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- City University of New York
- National Research Council
- National Science Foundation
- Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
- University of Virginia