Ultra-fast and Cost-effective Quantum Random Number Generator Photonic Integrated Chip

Project Information

QUPIC

Grant agreement ID: 826674

DOI

10.3030/826674

Project closed

EC signature date 16 July 2018

Start date 1 September 2018

End date 28 February 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

QUSIDE TECHNOLOGIES SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - QUPIC (Ultra-fast and Cost-effective Quantum Random Number Generator Photonic Integrated Chip)

Reporting period: 2018-09-01 to 2019-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Need
At a time when data communications enable many of our everyday life actions, data encryption becomes a basic element for our hyperconnected society. The challenge is that our current encryption technologies are vulnerable to new attack perspectives, such as the development of a quantum computer or progress in cryptoanalysis and mathematics. These threats might render most of today’s encryption unsafe, and if this would happen, the impact on our society and economy would be unmeasurable. Think for instance how would we work tomorrow if we would not have access to email.
There are a few efforts worldwide to improve current encryption technologies. One example is a field known as post-quantum cryptography, which attempts at improving current systems by using more complex algorithms. Another example is quantum key distribution (QKD), which uses the laws of quantum physics to exchange keys in a physically-secure manner.

Objectives
To bring these future-proven solutions into practice, unpredictable and fast random number generators are required. It is the goal of this project to bring new quantum random number generators that meet speed, quality and cost requirements to reach the market and contribute to enable new and safer encryption systems.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Since Quside has been awarded SME Phase I, the following activities have been performed:
a) the Proof of Concept Prototype design has been completed and its fabrication is on-going to demonstrate mass-scale production
b) Carrying out production and supply chain has been defined and assured;
c) Demonstrations of the technology with potential customers;
d) First products have been sold in 2019
e) A refined business plan has been elaborated

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Quside is developing Qupic, a QRNG that exploits the quantum phase diffusion process (PD-QRNG) in semiconductor lasers. This generator extracts the randomness from the spontaneous emission generated in a laser when modulated from below to above its threshold level. This effect produces pulses of light with the same amplitude, but with a random phase. In particular, Qupic offers two important advances:

1. The production of random digits is done using only standard optoelectronic components that can be produced at scale with current technology;
2. The speeds that can be achieved are ultra-fast (Gbps) thanks to the dynamics of the phase diffusion process.

A cryptographic system is as strong (secure) as the unpredictability of the random numbers it uses. Using deterministic processes is an undesirable solution by definition, and goes against the development of controlled and transparent systems that guarantee security. It is a matter of time before quantum random number generators replace the current ones, with better performance and security guarantees.

Quantum entropy source based on QUPIC

Quantum entropy source for data centre environments