A High-Quality Entropy Source Using van der Waals Heterojunction for True Random Number Generation

Area of Science:

• Quantum mechanics
• Materials science
• Information theory

Background:

• Random sequence generators are crucial for cryptography, often relying on natural entropy sources.
• Extracting sufficient entropy from quantum physical processes for real-world applications remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a compact, all-electronic device for extracting entropy from physical processes.
• To generate independent and identically distributed true random sequences for high-end applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a van der Waals heterostructure-based device to detect discrete charge fluctuations.
• Employed quantum mechanical physical processes as entropy sources.
• Validated random sequence quality using NIST SP 800-90B and NIST SP 800-22 standards.

Main Results:

• Achieved a record-high min-entropy value of over 0.98 bits/bit.
• Demonstrated a tunable entropy generation rate across multiple orders of magnitude.
• Confirmed process persistence from cryogenic to ambient temperatures.

Conclusions:

• The developed device offers a feasible method for high-entropy extraction from quantum processes.
• The generated random sequences meet rigorous statistical and cryptographic application standards.
• The device enables direct implementation of randomized algorithms without preconditioning.