Certified Random Number Generation from Quantum Steering
This provides a practical solution for secure random number generation in cryptography and other applications, though it builds incrementally on existing quantum protocols.
The researchers tackled the problem of generating truly unpredictable random numbers by implementing a quantum steering protocol that certifies randomness without trusting devices, demonstrating the first generation of certified random bits with the detection loophole closed in this scenario.
The ultimate random number generators are those certified to be unpredictable -- including to an adversary. The use of simple quantum processes promises to provide numbers that no physical observer could predict but, in practice, unwanted noise and imperfect devices can compromise fundamental randomness and protocol security. Certified randomness protocols have been developed which remove the need for trust in devices by taking advantage of nonlocality. Here, we use a photonic platform to implement our protocol, which operates in the quantum steering scenario where one can certify randomness in a one-sided device independent framework. We demonstrate an approach for a steering-based generator of public or private randomness, and the first generation of certified random bits, with the detection loophole closed, in the steering scenario.