Efficient multidimensional quantum random number generator using a CMOS SPAD array

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science
• Photonics
• Applied Physics

Background:

• Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) are crucial for secure communication and computation.
• Current QRNGs are limited by the count rate of single-photon detectors.
• Improving the efficiency of individual photon detection events is key to increasing generation rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a new strategy for high-speed random number generation.
• To enhance the efficiency of random number generation per photon detection event.
• To leverage multidimensional photon detection for improved QRNG performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the temporal and spatial coherence of coherent-state photons.
• Implementing multidimensional photon detection.
• Employing a chip-scale CMOS-integrated single-photon avalanche diode array.
• Extracting time-space measurement collapsed randomness from single-photon events.

Main Results:

• Achieved simultaneous extraction of time-space randomness from single-photon detection.
• Effectively improved the efficiency of random number generation per detection event.
• Demonstrated extraction of up to 20 bits per photon detection event.
• Reached a maximum random number generation rate of 2.067 Gbps.

Conclusions:

• Multidimensional photon detection offers a viable strategy for high-speed QRNGs.
• The developed method significantly enhances the efficiency of random number generation.
• This approach represents a technical advancement for practical quantum random number generation systems.