Random Number Generation Using Quantum Physics

Introduction to randomness and random numbers

PRNG-s

TRNG-s

Comparison between PRNG-s and TRNG-s

Application of random numbers

Authentication

Confidentiality

Scientific calculations

-What is a random number-Testing randomness

Generating random numbers

Software solutions

Physical sources of randomness

- Biased and unbiased sequences

- Determinism hidden behind complexity

- Randomness revealed by simplicity

The Quantis QRNG

Figure 1: Optical system used to generate random numbers

Principles

High bit rate 4-16 Mb/s of truly random bits

Transmission upon semi-transparent mirror

Absolutely random transmission or reflection

Figure 2: Block diagram of the Quantis RNG

Three subsystems

1.The core of generator-comprises the diode and two single photon detectors

2.Synchronisation electronic circuit-comprises a clock, triggering electronics and acquisition electronics for a single photon detectors

3.The processing and interfacing subsystem –performs statistical and hardware checks , as well as unbiasing of the sequence, shaping the output electronic signals

Unbiasing of the random numbers

Status monitoring

Packaging

Conclusion

Parking lot test

Randomly place unit circles in a 100*100 square

If the circle overlaps an existing one, try again

After 12000 tries, the number of successfully ’’parked’’

circles should follow a certain normal distribution

Pi values for files between 0.001 and 0.009- TRNG satisfies test

References[1] Schneier, B., Applied Cryptography: Protocols,Algorithms, and Source Code in C, John Wiley &Sons, New York, (1996).[2] Knuth, D., The Art of Computer Programming,Vol. 2, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, Reading, (1981).[3] Maurer, U., "A universal statistical test forrandom bits generators", Journal of Cryptology, 5, 89-106 (1992).[4] Markoff, J., "Security flaw is discovered insoftware used in shopping", The New York Times (19September 1995)