Project description
Generating quantum random numbers
What does cryptography have in common with video games and computer simulations? The answer is random numbers. It is important in all these cases that the generated numbers are truly unpredictable. For instance, breaches of cryptographic protocols are usually caused by weaknesses in random number generation. In this context, the EU-funded QRANGE project will push the quantum random number generation (QRNG) technology further, allowing for a wide range of commercial applications. The project will build prototypes such as a fully integrated low-cost QRNG device based on standard CMOS technology, another that is high-speed, and a self-testing QRNG device. The project will also work together with the competent institutions towards a full certification scheme of QRNG devices compliant with the highest security standards.
Objective
The generation of random numbers plays a crucial role in many applications in science and impacting society, in particular for simulation and cryptography. It is of fundamental importance that the generated numbers are truly random, as any deviation may adversely effect modelling or jeopardise security. Notably, recent breaches of cryptographic protocols have exploited weaknesses in the random number generation. In this context, schemes exploiting the inherent randomness of quantum physics have been extensively investigated. Quantum random number generation (QRNG) devices are now commercially available, which arguably represents one of the most successful developments of quantum technologies so far. QRANGE wants to push the QRNG technology further, allowing for a wide range of commercial applications of QRNG. We will build three different prototypes, which are cheaper, faster and more secure than existing devices: i) A fully integrated low-cost QRNG based on standard CMOS technology with a cost of the order of 1€ for IoT. ii) A high-speed phase-diffusion scheme based on the interference of laser pulses with random phase relationship featuring bit rates of up to 10Gb/s. iii) Inspired by device independent schemes, a self-testing QRNG, which allows for a continuous estimation of the generated entropy, with few assumptions on the devices. Moreover, we will make considerable theoretical effort for modelling the devices, designing efficient randomness extractors and studying new semi device-independent concepts. Last but not least, we will work together with the competent institutions towards a full certification scheme of QRNG devices compliant with the highest security standards. This project addresses many key points in the call and is well-aligned with the vision and objectives of the Quantum Technologies Flagship, especially in terms of taking quantum technologies from the laboratory to industry with concrete prototype applications and marketable products.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
1211 Geneve
Switzerland