Method and apparatus for generating true random numbers by way of a quantum optics process

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers by way of a quantum optics process uses a light source to produce a beam which illuminates a detector array. The detectors of the array are associated with random numbers values. Detection of a photon by one of the detectors yields a number whose value is equal to that associated with the detector. This procedure is repeated to produce sequences of true random numbers. The randomness of the numbers stems from the transverse spatial distribution of the detection probability of the photons in the beam. If the array comprises two detectors, the true random numbers produced are binary numbers. The process can be sped up using an array having pairs of two detectors. Using an array having more than two detectors also allows generating true random numbers of dimension higher than two. The primary object of the invention is to allow generating true random numbers by way of a quantum optics process.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to the field of random number generation, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for generating true random numbers based on a quantum optics process. [0002] Random numbers are essential in many applications and they constitute a very important resource. In cryptography, they are required, for example, in generation of cryptographic keys or the initialization of certain variables in cryptographic protocols. They also find applications in various others fields such as numerical simulations and statistics. [0003] Great attention must be paid to the way these random numbers are generated. Certain algorithms called pseudo-random number generators exist and produce sequences of numbers that have some of the properties of a sequence of random numbers. However a pseudo-random numbers sequence is not random, in the sense that the knowledge of one number in the sequence allows the prediction of all the other numbers...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers by way of a quantum optics process uses a light source to produce a beam which illuminates a detector array. The detectors of the array are associated with random number values. Detection of a photon by one of the detectors yields a number whose value is equal to that associated with the detector. This procedure is repeated to produce sequences of true random numbers. The randomness of the numbers stems from the transverse spatial distribution of the detection probability of the photons in the beam. If the array comprises two detectors, the true random numbers produced are binary numbers. The process can be sped up using an array having pairs of two detectors. Using an array having more than two detectors also allows generating true random numbers of dimension higher than two.

Problems solved by technology

Such pseudo-random number generators are fundamentally inappropriate in cryptography.

Alternatively, artifacts can appear in the results of the simulation.

Finally, when using a pseudo-random number generator, one always has to face the problem of how to choose the seed which much itself be random.

In this sense, the randomness of these processes is in appearance only and results from their complexity.

The fact that generators exploiting such processes described by classical physics are difficult to model implies that is difficult to gain confidence that experimental and environmental condition variations will not affect adversely the quality of the true random numbers output by creating some hidden structures.

Similarly, it is difficult to verify that they are operating properly.

In practice, producing single-photon states is difficult and impractical.

However, they each have some disadvantages when it comes to their practical realization.

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