Extracting random numbers from quantum tunnelling through a single diode

Abstract

Random number generation is crucial in many aspects of everyday life, as online security and privacy depend ultimately on the quality of random numbers. Many current implementations are based on pseudo-random number generators, but information security requires true random numbers for sensitive applications like key generation in banking, defence or even social media. True random number generators are systems whose outputs cannot be determined, even if their internal structure and response history are known. Sources of quantum noise are thus ideal for this application due to their intrinsic uncertainty. In this work, we propose using resonant tunnelling diodes as practical true random number generators based on a quantum mechanical effect. The output of the proposed devices can be directly used as a random stream of bits or can be further distilled using randomness extraction algorithms, depending on the application.

Multilevel information fusion for cryptographic substitution box construction based on inevitable random noise in medical imaging

“…nonlinearity Substitution box Max. nonlinearity Özkaynak 130 , 2020 104 Azam 143 , 2019 108 El-Latif 131 , 2020 104 Özkaynak 120 , 2019 108 Zahir 132 , 2020 104 Hussam 144 , 2019 108 El-Latif 133 , 2020 106 Amjad 157 , 2019 108 Artuğer 134 , 2020 107 Özkaynak 46 , 2018 106 D. Lambić 135 , 2020 108 Tian 102 , 2018 106 H. Liu 136 , 2020 108 Silva 74 , 2018 106 Zhang 137 , 2020 108 Attaullah 146 , 2018 107 Cassal 138 , 2020 108 Alzaidi 147 , 2018 107 Bin 139 , 2020 104 Alzaid...…”

Simulation and Modeling of Novel Electronic Device Architectures with NESS (Nano-Electronic Simulation Software): A Modular Nano TCAD Simulation Framework

“…Owing to the ultra-high frequency capabilities and relatively simple structure, the RTDs are one of the most promising devices to date for wireless and optical THz generation and detection, hence addressing the feasibility of a wide range of concepts and devices involving THz communications [16,[99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107] and 5G/6G technology. Recently, the RTDs have been proposed as random number generators [108] and the main building blocks for the quantum-confinement (QC) based physically unclonable functions (QC-PUF) [18]. The resonance voltage in the I-V characteristics depends on the QC within the nanostructure.…”

Generating randomness: making the most out of disordering a false order into a real one

“…Their measurement outputs are truly random, given that the input state is a superposition of the eigenstates of the measurement operators [53]. QRNGs are ideal due to their intrinsic uncertainty [54]. Adversaries have no knowledge of their internal mechanisms, even though they have a full description of it [2].…”

“…Given that an electron has tunneled into an electronically unoccupied system from the source electrode at some particular time, the time it takes for it to tunnel out to the drain electrode is calculated [58]. Resonant tunneling diodes are thus used as practical true random number generators based on quantum mechanical effects [54]. A viable source of unbiased quantum random numbers was presented, the statistical properties of which can be arbitrarily programmed without the need for post-processing [59].…”