Megahertz-Rate Semi-Device-Independent Quantum Random Number Generators Based on Unambiguous State Discrimination

Abstract

An approach to quantum random number generation based on unambiguous quantum state discrimination is developed. We consider a prepare-and-measure protocol, where two nonorthogonal quantum states can be prepared, and a measurement device aims at unambiguously discriminating between them. Because the states are nonorthogonal, this necessarily leads to a minimal rate of inconclusive events whose occurrence must be genuinely random and which provide the randomness source that we exploit. Our protocol is semi-device-independent in the sense that the output entropy can be lower bounded based on experimental data and a few general assumptions about the setup alone. It is also practically relevant, which we demonstrate by realizing a simple optical implementation, achieving rates of 16.5 Mbits/s. Combining ease of implementation, a high rate, and a real-time entropy estimation, our protocol represents a promising approach intermediate between fully device-independent protocols and commercial quantum random number generators.