Micro-LED-based quantum random number generators

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics and photonics
• Semiconductor device engineering
• Information security

Background:

• Traditional quantum random number generators (QRNGs) often face performance bottlenecks, including low generation speeds and bulky system requirements.
• Existing QRNGs frequently rely on single-photon detectors (SPDs), contributing to system complexity and size.
• There is a need for compact, high-speed, and robust QRNG solutions for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel QRNG system utilizing micro-light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) as the primary entropy source.
• To achieve high random number generation rates exceeding the limitations of current SPD-based QRNGs.
• To validate the performance and robustness of the micro-LED-based QRNG across various device sizes.

Main Methods:

• Employed micro-light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) as the entropy source, exploiting intensity fluctuations from spontaneous emissions.
• Applied advanced post-processing techniques to enhance the randomness of the generated numbers.
• Conducted systematic testing of micro-LEDs with varying dimensions to assess performance consistency.

Main Results:

• Achieved a photodetector bandwidth-limited generation rate of 9.375 Gbit/s using a 5×5 µm² micro-LED.
• The generated random numbers successfully passed all randomness tests specified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
• Demonstrated consistent high performance across different micro-LED sizes, confirming the approach's robustness.

Conclusions:

• Micro-LEDs offer a viable and high-performance alternative entropy source for quantum random number generators.
• The compact, scalable design of micro-LEDs enables ultra-high random number generation rates in miniaturized platforms.
• This technology paves the way for integrated QRNG chips suitable for practical, high-throughput applications.