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arXiv · quant-ph/9912118

A Fast and Compact Quantum Random Number Generator

Thomas Jennewein·Ulrich Achleitner·Gregor Weihs·Harald Weinfurter·Anton Zeilinger
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Abstract

We present the realization of a physical quantum random number generator based on the process of splitting a beam of photons on a beam splitter, a quantum mechanical source of true randomness. By utilizing either a beam splitter or a polarizing beam splitter, single photon detectors and high speed electronics the presented devices are capable of generating a binary random signal with an autocorrelation time of 11.8 ns and a continuous stream of random numbers at a rate of 1 Mbit/s. The randomness of the generated signals and numbers is shown by running a series of tests upon data samples. The devices described in this paper are built into compact housings and are simple to operate.

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Thomas Jennewein, Ulrich Achleitner, Gregor Weihs, Harald Weinfurter, Anton Zeilinger. 1999-12-28. A Fast and Compact Quantum Random Number Generator. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1150518

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