100-Gbit/s integrated quantum random number generator based on vacuum fluctuations

Abstract

Emerging communication and cryptography applications call for reliable fast unpredictable random number generators. Quantum random number generation allows for the creation of truly unpredictable numbers due to the inherent randomness available in quantum mechanics. A popular approach is to use the quantum vacuum state to generate random numbers. While convenient, this approach has been generally limited in speed compared to other schemes. Here, through custom codesign of optoelectronic integrated circuits and side-information reduction by digital filtering, we experimentally demonstrate an ultrafast generation rate of 100 Gbit/s, setting a new record for vacuum-based quantum random number generation by one order of magnitude. Furthermore, our experimental demonstrations are well supported by an upgraded device-dependent framework that is secure against both classical and quantum side information and that also properly considers the nonlinearity in the digitization process. This ultrafast secure random number generator in the chip-scale platform holds promise for next-generation communication and cryptography applications