• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Method for physical random number generation that comprises the steps of:- modulating the gain of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser periodically from below threshold to above threshold and back;- maintaining gain per round trip positive for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity;- maintaining net gain per round trip negative for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity, to create pulses of random amplitude;- detecting the optical pulses;- converting the optical pulses into electrical analog pulses;- digitising the electrical analog pulses into random numbers
    公开号:EP3709456A1
    申请号:EP17822722.9
    申请日:2017-11-06
    公开日:2020-09-16
    发明作者:Valerio Pruneri；Carlos ABELLAN SANCHEZ；Waldimar Amaya；Morgan Mitchell
    申请人:Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats ICREA；Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques ICFO；
    IPC主号:H01S5-00
    专利说明:
    [0001] The present invention relates to random number generators (RNGs), in particular to generators based on the random dynamics observed in gain-switched laser cavities. STATE OF THE ART
    [0002] Random numbers are by definition unpredictable, and a sequence of random numbers shows no predictable patterns. A random number generator (RNG) is a computational or physical device designed to generate random numbers. RNGs can be classified in pseudo-RNGs (PRNGs), which are computational algorithms, and true-RNGs (TRNGs), which are based on random dynamics in physical systems.
    [0003] Current commercial RNG devices are based on the spatial distribution of single photons, chaotic dynamics in semiconductor lasers, CMOS metastability, single photon detection in arrays of single photon detectors, and phase diffusion in semiconductor lasers among many other schemes.The patent application US2013/0036145 A discloses a TRNG based on measuring quantum phase diffusion in a pulsed single-mode semiconductor laser. By modulating the laser from below to above threshold, optical pulses with nearly identical intensities and completely randomized phases are generated. Then, by using an external interferometer, the random phases are translated into random amplitudes, which can be digitised with a proper detector. Instead of one laser source and an interferometer, two laser sources can be used together with a combiner. The technique allows for ultrafast operation regimes, and recent publications have shown bitrates of 40-80 Gbps. However, the need for an external interferometric element or two lasers that are spectrally matched in emission and coupling optics complicates the layout as it increases the number of elements, and the overall dimension of the device. For example, in the case of the two lasers their emission wavelength spectra have to be narrow (single mode), matched and maintained over time and this is not always easy to achieve due to intrinsic instability and environmental changes.
    [0004] The patent application US2017/115960 A1 discloses a QRNG based on measuring quantum phase diffusion in a pulsed multimode-mode semiconductor laser. In this scheme, the beating of two or more laser modes of the cavity produces a random signal oscillating at a frequency equal to the difference in the laser modes frequencies. Contrary to the single-mode case described above, this scheme does not require the use of an external interferometer or two lasers. However, multimode lasers might suffer from mode instability and it is not always easy to find a design that allows a sufficiently low frequency beating signal to be detected with inexpensive electronics.
    [0005] Modulation of the current from below to above threshold has been proposed in single mode lasers, as it was mentioned above ( US2013/0036145 A ). However in these devices, until now, generation of random patterns and random numbers implied interference, with the complexity that this entails.
    [0006] There is thus a need of an RNG source, with reduced dimensions (footprint), high stability, that maintains the high speed and high quality. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0007] It is the aim of the invention to provide a method for physical random number generation that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. The invention is based on the random gain of a single mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) which produces pulses of differing amplitude (intensity) when its current is modulated from below to above threshold. The random intensity patterns can subsequently be detected with a photodiode. In the process of the invention, not only the phase of the mode, but also the gain varies from pulse to pulse. In this way, to produce random intensities patterns, i.e. random numbers, an external interferometer or beating with another reference laser is not necessary, making the proposed scheme easier to implement, more compact and robust.
    [0008] For this purpose, the invention comprises the steps of utilizing a VCSEL whose gain is modulated periodically from below threshold to above threshold and back, maintaining gain per round trip positive for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity and maintaining net gain per round trip negative for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity, to create pulses of random amplitude. The pulses are detected by utilizing, for example, a fast photodiode (PIN). The means for modulating gain, from below threshold to above threshold and back can be for example an electrical pulse driver. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0009] Figure 1 shows a scheme of the method of the invention. Figure 2 shows the time dependent traces (left) and corresponding spectra (right) of train pulses as in the method of the invention. Figure 3 represents the time-dependent trace (left) and spectrum (right) of a train of pulses for a VCSEL that stays always above threshold in contrast with figure 2. Figure 4 shows the time dependent trace of several pulses (right) captured by an oscilloscope together with their statistical distribution of intensity (left). Figure 5 is a representation of several pulses captured by an oscilloscope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
    [0010] There are different VCSEL structures for implementing the invention. The driving current applied to the VCSEL to modulate its gain consists of two parts: a bias current and a modulating current. It is essential that the sum of those (i.e. the total current applied) take the VCSEL from below (regime of spontaneous emission) to above threshold (regime of stimulated emission) and back continuously. Figure 1 shows a possible scheme for implementing the process of the invention. A generator (electrical pulse driver) delivers current pulses to a VCSEL that produce a train of optical pulses with varying amplitude that can be detected by a photodiode (PD). When the VCSEL is taken from below to above threshold and back again at each pulse, the intensity pattern becomes random and can be digitised into a random number sequence.
    [0011] Fig. 2 shows an example of the train of pulses (intensity as a function of time) detected by the photodiode and displayed by an oscilloscope, together with the corresponding spectra (intensity as a function of wavelength). On the left, the time dependent traces can be seen, while on the right, the corresponding spectra of a train of pulses with varying amplitude at different bias currents, 2, 2.5 and 3 mA (pulse/modulation frequency 200 MHz) can be found. The modulating current varies from about -2mA to +2mA. Under these conditions, the VCSEL goes from below-to-above -to-below threshold during the formation of each pulse. Despite a periodic modulation of the current (always with the same value from pulse to pulse), the optical intensity of the pulses varies. In some instances, the optical pulses reach their maximum amplitude right after the current is taken to above threshold while in other cases it takes a while before the pulses reaches its maximum intensity. In other instances, the pulses are essentially absent (they do not grow). In this way, a train of pulses with random intensity is generated, which can be subsequently detected and digitised into random numbers.
    [0012] Fig. 3 clearly shows that in the case the VCSEL current is not taken below threshold, i.e. the current is modulated from slightly above threshold to farther above threshold, the intensity of the different optical pulses does not change over time. The time dependent trace (left) and corresponding spectrum (right) of a train of pulses with constant amplitude and different pulse/modulation frequency, for a bias current of 4mA is shown. The modulating current varies from about -2mA to +2mA. Under these conditions, the VCSEL stays always above threshold. There is also a clear difference between corresponding spectra (figures 2 and 3 bottom): in the case of random intensity patterns there exists a side lobe at long wavelength, which is essentially absent in the case of constant intensity patterns. Such a side lobe indicates that when the modulation brings the laser from below to above the threshold level, a new mode is generated. For certain pulses, the gain experienced by the predominant mode is reduced, with its consequent smaller growth, while it is larger for the side mode. The fact that the gain for the predominant mode is reduced in the pulses with lower intensity is also in agreement with the absence of the relaxation oscillation peaks at the beginning of each pulse.
    [0013] The generated random optical intensity pattern has a typical distribution as shown in Fig. 4. The time dependent trace of several pulses (right) captured by the oscilloscope together with their statistical distribution of the intensity (left) can be seen in this graph. The statistical distribution corresponds to more than 30000 pulses. Pulse/modulation frequency is 1 GHz, bias current of 1.7 mA and modulating current varies from about -2mA to +2mA. Note that the time dependent behaviour of the random intensity and the corresponding distribution may depend on parameters such as geometry and materials of VCSEL structure, bias current, modulating current, pulse/modulation frequency, temperature, etc.... For example, there is a clear increase in the entropy at higher frequency, which is evident when going from 100 to 400 MHz (fig. 5) and even more at 1 GHz (fig. 4). This is due to the fact that the shorter the current pulse the lower the growth experienced by the light pulse; i.e. there is not sufficient time for the light pulse to grow to significant intensities within its duration when the random effect occurs. In Fig. 5, the time dependent trace of several pulses captured by the oscilloscope is shown. Pulse/modulation frequency is 100 MHz (top), 200 MHz (middle) and 400 MHz (bottom), the bias current is 3 mA and the modulating current varies from about -2mA to +2mA.
    [0014] The gain-switching mechanism is used to modulate the output of the laser source. By injecting electrical carriers into the active region, through the application of an electrical signal, the gain of the laser can be changed. In particular, by setting the biasing current point of the laser below a threshold level and adding an additional modulating current, a sequence of optical pulses can be produced. During the pulse generation the laser continuously goes from below to above threshold. While doing this, a secondary lobe appears in the laser spectrum. The produced train of optical pulses undergoes strong amplitude variations due to the presence of this new spectral feature. The optical pulses are then recorded with a photodetector that converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. Finally, the electronic signal can be converted into a digital signal by means of a digitisation process, which can include high-resolution digitisers, e.g. 8 bit digitisers, or a simple comparator acting as a 1-bit resolution digitiser.
    权利要求:
    Claims (3)
    [0001] Method for physical random number generation that comprises the steps of:
    - modulating the gain of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser periodically from below threshold to above threshold and back;
    - maintaining gain per round trip positive for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity;
    - maintaining net gain per round trip negative for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity, to create pulses of random amplitude;
    - detecting the optical pulses;
    - converting the optical pulses into electrical analog pulses;
    - digitising the electrical analog pulses into random numbers.
    [0002] Method according to claim 1 wherein the step of detecting pulses is performed by a fast photodiode
    [0003] Method according to any of claims 1 or 2 wherein the step of modulating gain is performed by an electrical pulse driver.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    Bao et al.2018|Type-II micro-comb generation in a filter-driven four wave mixing laser
    Jofre et al.2011|True random numbers from amplified quantum vacuum
    Sciamanna et al.2003|Optical feedback induces polarization mode hopping in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
    Abellan et al.2016|Quantum entropy source on an InP photonic integrated circuit for random number generation
    CA2528123C|2011-12-06|Laser pulse generator
    Tang et al.2001|Chaotic pulsing and quasi-periodic route to chaos in a semiconductor laser with delayed opto-electronic feedback
    Sakuraba et al.2015|Tb/s physical random bit generation with bandwidth-enhanced chaos in three-cascaded semiconductor lasers
    Lau et al.2007|Frequency response enhancement of optical injection-locked lasers
    US8554814B2|2013-10-08|Random signal generator using quantum noise
    JP6430553B2|2018-11-28|Optical device, transmitter for quantum communication system, and quantum communication system
    Soriano et al.2013|Complex photonics: Dynamics and applications of delay-coupled semiconductors lasers
    Hirano et al.2009|Characteristics of fast physical random bit generation using chaotic semiconductor lasers
    Donati et al.2012|The diagram of feedback regimes revisited
    Lin et al.2012|Effective bandwidths of broadband chaotic signals
    Sunada et al.2011|Chaos laser chips with delayed optical feedback using a passive ring waveguide
    Nguimdo et al.2012|Fast random bits generation based on a single chaotic semiconductor ring laser
    Shi et al.2015|Effect of timing jitter on time-of-flight distance measurements using dual femtosecond lasers
    Robertson et al.2017|Controlled inhibition of spiking dynamics in VCSELs for neuromorphic photonics: theory and experiments
    Habruseva et al.2010|Quantum-dot mode-locked lasers with dual-mode optical injection
    Gubenko et al.2007|Error-free 10 Gbit/s transmission using individual Fabry-Perot modes of low-noise quantum-dot laser
    Virte et al.2014|Physical random bit generation from chaotic solitary laser diode
    Yuan et al.2014|Generation and synchronization of feedback-induced chaos in semiconductor ring lasers by injection-locking
    Wang et al.2013|Generation of flat-spectrum wideband chaos by fiber ring resonator
    Hong2013|Experimental study of time-delay signature of chaos in mutually coupled vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers subject to polarization optical injection
    Sciamanna et al.2015|Physics and applications of laser diode chaos
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CN111344916A|2020-06-26|
    WO2019086730A1|2019-05-09|
    KR20200074981A|2020-06-25|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2018-01-12| STAA| Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent|Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN |
    2019-05-11| STAA| Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent|Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
    2020-08-14| PUAI| Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase|Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
    2020-08-14| STAA| Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent|Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
    2020-09-16| AK| Designated contracting states|Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
    2020-09-16| AX| Request for extension of the european patent|Extension state: BA ME |
    2020-09-16| 17P| Request for examination filed|Effective date: 20200505 |
    2021-02-17| DAV| Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)|
    2021-02-17| DAX| Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)|
    2021-02-19| REG| Reference to a national code|Ref country code: HK Ref legal event code: DE Ref document number: 40029680 Country of ref document: HK |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    [返回顶部]