Quantum random number generator
A quantum random number generator is described. For example, a system for generating quantum random numbers is described. The system comprises at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation and one or more photon detector elements, each for converting received photons of the non-monochromatic light into a corresponding output value. The at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation is configured to illuminate the one or more photon detector elements such that non-monochromatic radiation from the at least one radiation source is incident on each of the one or more photon detector elements, whereby photons of the radiation are incident at random the one or more photon detector elements. The system further comprises means of converting output values generated from the incident non-monochromatic radiation by the one or more photon detector elements to random numbers each comprising quantum noise.
1 . A system for generating random numbers comprising:
at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation;
one or more photon detector elements, each for converting received photons of the non-monochromatic radiation into a corresponding output value;
wherein the at least one source of the non-monochromatic radiation is configured to illuminate the one or more photon detector elements such that the non-monochromatic radiation from the at least one source of the non-monochromatic radiation is incident on each of the one or more photon detector elements, whereby the non-monochromatic radiation is incident on random ones of the one or more photon detector elements; and
a converter for converting output values generated from the incident non-monochromatic radiation by the one or more photon detector elements to random numbers each comprising quantum noise;
wherein the one or more photon detector elements are configured such that each output value corresponds to a cumulative energy of the photons received by the respective photon detector element of the one or more photon detector elements within a pre-set period of time.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the non-monochromatic radiation comprises photons having a range of different wavelengths, wherein the system is configured such that photons of multiple different wavelengths are received by each photon detector element from the at least one source of the non-monochromatic radiation.
3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that the non-monochromatic radiation from the at least one source of the non-monochromatic radiation is incident directly on each of the one or more photon detector elements without passing through a filter.
4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more photon detector elements produces a separate random number comprising quantum noise.
5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation is a white light source.
6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation is configured relative to the one or more photon detector elements such that each of the one or more photon detector elements are illuminated with the non-monochromatic radiation during a single exposure period of the one or more photon detector elements.
7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation and the one or more photon detector elements are arranged such that the one or more photon detector elements respond linearly to the received photons of the non-monochromatic radiation.
8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is configured so as to not count the received photons.
9 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the converter comprises an analog-to-digital converter for converting the generated output values into digital values, the digital values being used to generate the random numbers.
10 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the converter is configured to perform a mapping in which the cumulative energy of the photons received by the respective photon detector element of the one or more photon detector elements is mapped to a random number comprising quantum noise.
11 . A method of generating random numbers comprising:
emitting photons from at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation such that the non-monochromatic radiation from the at least one source of non-monochromatic radiation is incident on each of one or more photon detector elements, each for converting received photons of the non-monochromatic radiation into a corresponding output value, whereby the non-monochromatic radiation is incident on random ones of the one or more photon detector elements;
converting the received photons of the non-monochromatic radiation at each of the one or more photon detector elements into a corresponding output value; and
converting output values of the one or more photon detector elements to random numbers each comprising quantum noise;
wherein each output value corresponds to a cumulative energy of the photons received by a respective photon detector element of the one or more photon detector elements within a pre-set period of time.
12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the non-monochromatic radiation comprises photons having a range of different wavelengths, wherein multiple different wavelengths are received by each photon detector element from the at least one source of the non-monochromatic radiation.
13 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising not counting the received photons.
14 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising converting the output values into digital values, the digital values being used to generate the random numbers.
15 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising performing a mapping in which the cumulative energy of the photons received by the respective photon detector element of the one or more photon detector elements is mapped to a random number comprising quantum noise.