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Source-device-independent monolithically integrated QRNG in a black box with generation rate in excess of 30 Gbit/s

Peter Seigo Kincaid, Lorenzo De Marinis, Francesco Testa, Nicola Andriolli, Giampiero Contestabile

TL;DR

This work addresses the need for secure, high-rate quantum random number generation by realizing a source-device-independent QRNG on a monolithic InP photonic integrated circuit, packaged as a black box with only electrical I/O. The device uses a vacuum-state entropy source sampled via heterodyne detection with a 1550 nm local oscillator and a 90-degree optical hybrid, achieving a final rate of $35 Gbit/s$ after Toeplitz hashing and post-processing, with a security bound $H_min(X|E)=17.5$ bits at maximum LO power. The system is validated by downsampling to $2 GS/s$, calibration to vacuum units, and passing the NIST SP 800-22 tests, while being designed to reach higher rates (potentially $41.6 Gbit/s$) with reduced optical losses. This compact, integrated, black-box QRNG is well suited for applications in QKD and other cryptographic tasks, highlighting the practical viability of high-rate, secure quantum randomness sources.

Abstract

Quantum mechanics provides a secure means of generating random numbers, with applications in fields spanning scientific simulation to cryptography. The first source-device-independent monolithically integrated quantum random number generator is reported. With a generation rate of 35 Gbit/s, the device is based on an InP photonic integrated circuit with a quantum vacuum state entropy source, sampled by heterodyne coherent detection using an optical local oscillator. The entire device is conveniently housed in a black box and includes all the necessary driving and signal conditioning electronics, with electrical interfaces only; the exhibited security, compactness, and fast generation rate make the generator suitable for applications in QKD.

Source-device-independent monolithically integrated QRNG in a black box with generation rate in excess of 30 Gbit/s

TL;DR

This work addresses the need for secure, high-rate quantum random number generation by realizing a source-device-independent QRNG on a monolithic InP photonic integrated circuit, packaged as a black box with only electrical I/O. The device uses a vacuum-state entropy source sampled via heterodyne detection with a 1550 nm local oscillator and a 90-degree optical hybrid, achieving a final rate of after Toeplitz hashing and post-processing, with a security bound bits at maximum LO power. The system is validated by downsampling to , calibration to vacuum units, and passing the NIST SP 800-22 tests, while being designed to reach higher rates (potentially ) with reduced optical losses. This compact, integrated, black-box QRNG is well suited for applications in QKD and other cryptographic tasks, highlighting the practical viability of high-rate, secure quantum randomness sources.

Abstract

Quantum mechanics provides a secure means of generating random numbers, with applications in fields spanning scientific simulation to cryptography. The first source-device-independent monolithically integrated quantum random number generator is reported. With a generation rate of 35 Gbit/s, the device is based on an InP photonic integrated circuit with a quantum vacuum state entropy source, sampled by heterodyne coherent detection using an optical local oscillator. The entire device is conveniently housed in a black box and includes all the necessary driving and signal conditioning electronics, with electrical interfaces only; the exhibited security, compactness, and fast generation rate make the generator suitable for applications in QKD.
Paper Structure (4 sections, 3 equations, 4 figures, 1 table)

This paper contains 4 sections, 3 equations, 4 figures, 1 table.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. InP Monolithic PIC Design and Packaging
  3. Results
  4. Discussion and Conclusions

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: a) Schematic: InP monolithic heterodyne-based QRNG with electrical amplification chain. b) Photo of the fabricated InP chip. c) Single module QRNG package. d) RF amplification chain and close-up of the wirebonded BPDs and TIAs.
  • Figure 2: a) Spectra of the p quadrature RF output, showing the difference when the LO is switched on at maximum power. b) Calibration procedure, variance of quadrature signals as a function of photodiode current.
  • Figure 3: a) Probability distribution of the received signals at both quadratures. The projections in the $P$ and $Q$ plane illustrate the individual shape of the $P$ and $Q$ quadratures, with height normalized to the 3D plot. b) Quadrature variance in vacuum units as a function of received photodiode current, expected vacuum quadrature variance shown for reference.
  • Figure 4: a) Conditional quantum minimum entropy as a function of received photodiode current. b) Sample autocorrelation before and after hashing for a sample length of 10788.