Scheme for a quantum random number generator

Abstract

A scheme for a random number generator based on the intrinsic randomness of quantum mechanics is proposed. A Fresnel multiple prism which can act as a perfect 50∕50 beam splitter is used to realize the random events by choosing single photons from a polarized laser beam. A procedure to get rid of the bias of the raw sequences is discussed in detail together with the random number generation efficiency per light pulse.