Quantum Random Number Generation Using Photon Shot Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quantum random number generators rely on specialized and unreliable hardware, are not secure, and require dedicated infrastructure, making them impractical for widespread commercial use due to lack of reliability and environmental limitations.
Innovation Solution
A quantum random number generator system utilizing untrusted photon shot noise sources with a multisource quantum shot noise harvesting circuit, randomness extraction, and amplification modules, along with an oracle verification module to generate both true and pseudo random sequences, providing high security and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized hardware equipment (single photon sources, integrated electronics, optical control units, sensitive detectors) is used for quantum random number generation, then quantum randomness can be harvested, but the system becomes complex, expensive, and requires dedicated infrastructure (temperature controlled rooms, dark rooms)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential quantum shot noise signal from standard photodetectors, discarding the need for complex single-photon sources and specialized infrastructure. By focusing solely on harvesting randomness from the shot noise component of standard detector output, the system eliminates temperature control requirements, dark room requirements, and single-photon source complexity while maintaining quantum randomness quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, fragile quantum equipment with inexpensive, commercially available components. Standard photodetectors, microcontrollers, and software libraries are used instead of single-photon sources, integrated electronics, and optical control units. This makes the system disposable-friendly and suitable for widespread commercial deployment without dedicated infrastructure
2Productivity
If standard photodetectors with high bandwidth are used to increase generation rate, then more quantum entropy can be harvested, but the devices become expensive and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses excessive bandwidth in standard photodetectors (higher than strictly necessary) to ensure sufficient quantum entropy is captured, then applies software-based filtering and processing to extract only the relevant shot noise component. This approach allows using reliable, commercially available detectors rather than expensive specialized high-bandwidth devices, maintaining both productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces software-based signal processing and statistical analysis as an intermediary between the photodetector output and the final random number generation. This software layer filters out noise, validates the quantum shot noise signal, and ensures reliability without requiring expensive specialized hardware, thereby maintaining device trustworthiness while achieving high generation rates
3Device complexity
If single random source design is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but security and reliability cannot be guaranteed against vendor mistrust and device imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the random number generation system into multiple independent components: multiple photodetectors, separate signal processing chains, and independent entropy extraction modules. This segmentation allows cross-validation of outputs, detection of malicious behavior in individual components, and maintains security even if one component is compromised, without requiring complex centralized control infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves reliable, high-security, and cost-effective quantum random number generation, suitable for various applications, with improved generation rates and reduced environmental dependencies, making it suitable for commercial viability.
Implementation Method 1
harvesting the randomness from the nature through shot noises of quantum origin
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector with a high bandwidth to capture as much quantum shot noise as possible
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for secure and reliable generation of quantum random numbers based on various untrusted shot noise sources of quantum nature. The system includes multisource quantum shot noise harvesting circuit and a randomness extraction module to extract entropy of quantum origin from emitted noisy data and randomness amplification. The noise harvesting circuit includes a data acquisition module to collect and store the noise signals emitted by the untrusted sources. The randomness extraction module is configured to perform tensor and permutation circuitry operation on the received data and yields the quantum random sequences. The system includes a randomness amplification module configured to apply multiplication operation on several quantum random sequences to produce pseudo random sequences. The system includes an oracle verification module to verify and certify the output random sequences of quantum origin.