Work

Characterization of the polarization fluctuations in gain-switched VCSELs for quantum random number generation

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: We report a characterization of the polarization fluctuations observed when gain-switching vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for quantum random number generation (QRNG) applications. We compare our experimental measurements with the results obtained from a stochastic rate equations model that incorporates the intrinsic parameters of the VCSEL found using the state-of-the-art experimental techniques. The good agreement obtained between our experiments and simulations can be used to establish a validation process that permits monitoring of the device behavior to detect malicious intrusion or malfunctioning of the QRNG. Simulations of the model are used to look for parameters that maximize the QRNG performance. Along this direction we consider the performance when considering a VCSEL with vanishing values of the amplitude and phase anisotropies. We show that in this system the obtained raw bits have a low bias value that is independent of the sampling time chosen to obtain the random bit and of the parameters of the modulation. We also use the simulations of the model to predict the QRNG performance at high modulation frequencies. We show that random bits obtained at several Gbps rates, after appropriate post-processing, fully pass the NIST statistical test.

Source: Journal of the Optical Society of America B

DOI: 10.1364/josab.506611

Authors: Ana Quirce, Angel Valle, Marcos Valle-Miñón, Jaime Gutiérrez

Institutions: Universidad de Cantabria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Information and Cryptography

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Awards: G2005176604, G4989992522