Open AccessA post-processing-free single-photon random number generator with ultra-low latency
Author(s) -
Michael A. Wayne,
Alan L. Migdall,
Zachary H. Levine,
Joshua C. Bienfang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.26.032788
Subject(s) - random number generation , computer science , bernoulli's principle , latency (audio) , jitter , predictability , generator (circuit theory) , optics , algorithm , physics , telecommunications , mathematics , statistics , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
The low-latency requirements of a practical loophole-free Bell test preclude time-consuming post-processing steps that are often used to improve the statistical quality of a physical random number generator (RNG). Here we demonstrate a post-processing-free RNG that produces a random bit within 2.4(2) ns of an input trigger. We use weak feedback to eliminate long-term drift, resulting in 24 hour operation with output that is statistically indistinguishable from a Bernoulli process. We quantify the impact of the feedback on the predictability of the output as less than 6.4×10 -7 and demonstrate the utility of the Allan variance as a tool for characterizing non-idealities in RNGs.