True random number generation based on temporal fluctuations of abalone shell coherent random lasers

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optics
• Information Security
• Biomimetics

Background:

• Random lasers offer a promising physical entropy source due to their inherent randomness.
• Existing methods for random number generation often face limitations in speed or quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, high-speed, and high-quality random number generator.
• To utilize the unique properties of biomimetic random lasers for entropy source.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a low-cost abalone shell random laser.
• Simultaneous generation of forward and backward coherent random laser modes.
• Post-processing of temporal fluctuations using third-order difference and XOR operations.

Main Results:

• Successful generation of a random number sequence from coherent random laser modes.
• Achieved a preliminary instantaneous generation rate of 40 Gbps.
• Generated random bits passed the NIST SP800-22 standard, demonstrating high quality (random distribution, independence, no bias).

Conclusions:

• Biomimetic random lasers can serve as a high-quality physical entropy source.
• The developed method offers a novel pathway for high-speed random number generation.
• This technique validates the potential of controlled random laser modes for secure applications.