Single photon randomness originating from the symmetry of dipole emission and the unpredictability of spontaneous emission

Abstract

Quantum random number generation is a key ingredient for quantum cryptography and fundamental quantum optics and could advance Monte-Carlo simulations and machine learning. An established generation scheme is based on single photons impinging on a beam splitter. Here, we experimentally demonstrate quantum random number generation solely based on the spontaneous emission process in combination with the symmetric emission profile of a dipole aligned orthogonal to the laboratory frame. The demonstration builds on defect centers in hexagonal boron nitride and benefits from the ability to manipulate and align the emission directionality. We prove the randomness in the correlated photon detection events making use of the NIST randomness test suite and show that the randomness remains for two independently emitting defect centers. The scheme can be extended to random number generation by coherent single photons with potential applications in solid-state based quantum communication at room temperature.

arXiv comment7 pages, 4 figures

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Cited by in corpus (8)

• Localized creation of yellow single photon emitting carbon complexes in hexagonal boron nitride
• Tailoring the Emission Wavelength of Color Centers in Hexagonal Boron Nitride for Quantum Applications
• Quantum Optics Applications of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Defects
• The hBN defects database: a theoretical compilation of color centers in hexagonal boron nitride
• A first-principles calculation of electron-phonon interactions for the ${\text{C}}_2{\text{C}}_{\text{N}}$ and ${\text{V}}_{\text{N}}{\text{N}}_{\text{B}}$ defects in hexagonal boron nitride
• Photon statistics analysis of h-BN quantum emitters with pulsed and continuous-wave excitation
• Time-Resolved Stokes Analysis of Single Photon Emitters in Hexagonal Boron Nitride
• Insights into the Nature of Quantum Emitters in Electron-Irradiated hexagonal Boron Nitride