Zhao Zhengeng, Hua Xin, Du Yongqiang, Xu Chenyu, Xie Feng, Zhang Zhenrong, Xiao Xi, Wei Kejin
Opt Express. 2024 Oct 21;32(22):38793-38804. doi: 10.1364/OE.530045.
Random numbers are essential resources in science and engineering, with indispensable applications in simulation, cybersecurity, and finance. Quantum random number generators (QRNGs), based on the principles of quantum mechanics, ensure genuine randomness and unpredictability. Silicon photonics enables the large-scale deployment of integrated QRNGs due to its low cost, miniaturization, and compatibility with CMOS technology. However, current integrated QRNGs are typically based on perfect or partially perfect device models, deviating from real-world devices, which compromises the unpredictability of quantum random numbers. In this study, we implemented a silicon-based QRNG that makes no assumptions about the source and only uses trusted but uncharacterized measurement devices. In experimental demonstration, we show that our setup can generate secure random numbers with different choices of intensities of laser light, and achieve an optimized random number generation rate of up to 4.04 Mbps. Our work significantly advances the security, practicality, and commercial development of QRNGs by employing imperfect devices.
随机数是科学与工程领域的重要资源，在模拟、网络安全和金融等方面有着不可或缺的应用。基于量子力学原理的量子随机数发生器（QRNG）可确保真正的随机性和不可预测性。硅光子学因其低成本、小型化以及与CMOS技术的兼容性，使得集成QRNG能够大规模部署。然而，当前的集成QRNG通常基于完美或部分完美的器件模型，与实际器件存在偏差，这损害了量子随机数的不可预测性。在本研究中，我们实现了一种基于硅的QRNG，它对数据源不做任何假设，仅使用可信但未表征的测量设备。在实验演示中，我们表明我们的装置能够通过不同的激光强度选择生成安全的随机数，并实现高达4.04 Mbps的优化随机数生成速率。我们的工作通过采用不完美器件显著推动了QRNG的安全性、实用性和商业发展。
