Structures and Methods for Fully-Integrated Quantum Random Number Generators

Different electronic devices nowadays exploit random number generators either to create the seed for simulations, for gaming or to encrypt the communications. Particularly for cryptography applications, there is an increasing effort to realize a truly random number generator, based not on mathematical algorithms but exploiting randomness of physical processes. Among them quantum processes, provide intrinsic unpredictability, for example exploiting the arrival time, the number or the properties of photons. In this work we focus on photonic quantum random number generator (QRNG), and we analyze different approaches and entropy extraction methods to realize a fully integrated, CMOS compatible, QRNG with photon-emitter realized on the same chip and very close to the detectors of single photons. Non-idealities of the emitter and the detector have to be studied and depends on the structure. They can be mitigated with robust extraction methods which however should not introduce complex algorithms or secondary entropy sources that can make the device no longer quantum based. The ultimate goal is to realize a CMOS building block that can be implemented as building block, with low power consumption and robust to environmental conditions.