Physically Transient True Random Number Generators Based on Paired Threshold Switches Enabling Monte Carlo Method Applications

Here, we demonstrate a novel physically transient true random number generator based on magnesium oxide volatile threshold switches, using the intrinsic variation in resistive switching as a natural source of randomness. Taking advantage of the volatile nature in switching, a reset operation is not required in each cycle and the operation is largely simplified. It is demonstrated that such random number generators can be applied for complex numerical calculations, and the value of pi was successfully calculated in Monte Carlo method based on the random number generators. Such random number generators-based on physically transient threshold switches can have a great prospect in Monte Carlo computing and secure electronics.