Vacuum-based quantum random number generator using multi-mode coherent states

Abstract

We present an optical quantum random number generator based on vacuum fluctuation measurements that uses multi-mode coherent states generated by electro-optical phase modulation of an intense optical carrier. In this approach the weak coherent multi-mode state (or a vacuum state) interferes with the carrier, which acts as a local oscillator, on each side mode independently. The proposed setup can effectively compensate for deviations between the two arms of a balanced detector by controlling the modulation index of the electro-optical phase modulator. We perform a proof-of-principle experiment and demonstrate random number generation with a possibility of real-time randomness extraction at the rate of 400 Mbit/s.

13 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables

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• Leftover Hashing Against Quantum Side Information
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