Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 18474 |
| Pages (from-to) | 18474 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Scientific reports |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Dec 2019 |
Abstract
Keywords
- Single photons, Non-classical light, Quantum randomness, Anti-bunching, Entropy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
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In: Scientific reports, Vol. 9, No. 1, 18474, 05.12.2019, p. 18474.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Single Photon Randomness based on a Defect Center in Diamond
AU - Chen, Xing
AU - Greiner, Johannes N.
AU - Wrachtrup, Jörg
AU - Gerhardt, Ilja
N1 - Copyright © 2019, The Author(s)
PY - 2019/12/5
Y1 - 2019/12/5
N2 - The prototype of a quantum random number generator is a single photon which impinges onto a beam splitter and is then detected by single photon detectors at one of the two output paths. Prior to detection, the photon is in a quantum mechanical superposition state of the two possible outcomes with -ideally- equal amplitudes until its position is determined by measurement. When the two output modes are observed by a single photon detector, the generated clicks can be interpreted as ones and zeros - and a raw random bit stream is obtained. Here we implement such a random bit generator based on single photons from a defect center in diamond. We investigate the single photon emission of the defect center by an anti-bunching measurement. This certifies the "quantumness" of the supplied photonic input state, while the random "decision" is still based on the vacuum fluctuations at the open port of the beam-splitter. Technical limitations, such as intensity fluctuations, mechanical drift, and bias are discussed. A number of ways to suppress such unwanted effects, and an a priori entropy estimation are presented. The single photon nature allows for a characterization of the non-classicality of the source, and allows to determine a background fraction. Due to the NV-center's superior stability and optical properties, we can operate the generator under ambient conditions around the clock. We present a true 24/7 operation of the implemented random bit generator.
AB - The prototype of a quantum random number generator is a single photon which impinges onto a beam splitter and is then detected by single photon detectors at one of the two output paths. Prior to detection, the photon is in a quantum mechanical superposition state of the two possible outcomes with -ideally- equal amplitudes until its position is determined by measurement. When the two output modes are observed by a single photon detector, the generated clicks can be interpreted as ones and zeros - and a raw random bit stream is obtained. Here we implement such a random bit generator based on single photons from a defect center in diamond. We investigate the single photon emission of the defect center by an anti-bunching measurement. This certifies the "quantumness" of the supplied photonic input state, while the random "decision" is still based on the vacuum fluctuations at the open port of the beam-splitter. Technical limitations, such as intensity fluctuations, mechanical drift, and bias are discussed. A number of ways to suppress such unwanted effects, and an a priori entropy estimation are presented. The single photon nature allows for a characterization of the non-classicality of the source, and allows to determine a background fraction. Due to the NV-center's superior stability and optical properties, we can operate the generator under ambient conditions around the clock. We present a true 24/7 operation of the implemented random bit generator.
KW - Single photons
KW - Non-classical light
KW - Quantum randomness
KW - Anti-bunching
KW - Entropy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85076124964&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-019-54594-0
DO - 10.1038/s41598-019-54594-0
M3 - Article
VL - 9
SP - 18474
JO - Scientific reports
JF - Scientific reports
SN - 2045-2322
IS - 1
M1 - 18474
ER -