Quantum random number generator

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A Portable Quantum Random Number Generator For absolute security in communications, including emerging quantum encrypted communications, and also to achieve optimally trustworthy computational modeling that involves random sampling, a sequence of random numbers are required. This seemingly simple requirement is actually a challenge to meet. Many forms of random number generators have been developed but most output a sequence of numbers that are found to be not entirely random when assessed with rigorous statistical tests. Such a deviation from randomness, in other words any discernable pattern in the number sequence, can enable an eavesdropper to obtain information that was meant to be kept private. Most efforts to create random number generators are prone to imperfect randomness as a result of unintended systematic circuits effects, or to maliciously applied forces. The best sources of random numbers employ a quantum mechanical effect to generate numbers. These are preferred because quantum events can be chosen that are virtually immune to surrounding environmental perturbations such as vibration, nearby surges in electricity and radio waves. While quantum random number generators now exist, none are sufficiently small enough and operate with sufficiently low power requirements to enable truly portable battery operated deployment. This project will create the basis for the first truly portable quantum random number generator and lay the ground work for commercialization of that device.