Randomness scaling in photonic quantum random number generators (Market Study)

光子量子随机数发生器中的随机性缩放（市场研究）

• 批准号: 560511-2021
• 负责人: Morandotti, Roberto
• 金额: $ 1.09万
• 依托单位: Institut national de la recherche scientifique
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Idea to Innovation
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=706399
• 关键词: Randomness; scaling; photonic; quantum; random

Random number generation is a critical security element in today's connected world to ensure our safety and trusted communications. While today's systems like Pseudo Random Number Generators (PRNGs) rely on deterministic - thus predictable - algorithms, Quantum RNGs exploit elementary quantum optic processes that are fundamentally probabilistic to produce true randomness. Thus, as we enter the quantum decade, Quantum Random Number Generation has established itself as the reference in terms of security, reliability, and ease-of-use.  With a variety of ways in which QRNGs can be produced, the photonics implementation appears to be the most promising strategy as it satisfies important requirements like an easy interfacing with communications protocols, high bit rates and increased security. The current proposal deals with a market study related to a new scheme of photonic QRNGs in which the efficiency of random bit generation can be scaled-up by cascading an increasing number of easy-to-realize fiber-based beam splitters and delay lines, while minimally increasing the device complexity. The implemented technique is highly versatile as it works independently from the source and the detection mechanism, while using, at the same time, simple, off-the-shelf telecommunications components in a time multiplexing scheme to increase the number of states a detected photon can occupy (thereby improving the randomness of the produced bits). Moreover, it provides a tunable control over both key performance parameters of commercial QRNGs (speed and security) in addition to being compatible with multiple integration/ free space/ fiber platforms. By improving photonic QRNGs performances, at a low-cost production, our new scheme opens the door to photonic QRNG commercial developments. Hence, we strongly believe that a market study for this innovative technology is extremely timely and will contribute to reinforce the impact of the high-technology Canadian industry on the international scene.