Abstract

In the last years there is a significant interest to generating random numbers from a physical process with inherent quantum randomness. One example of such a system is a bistable vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), whose switchings between two polarization states are caused by spontaneous emission [1] and therefore are truly random. In this report we present a comprehensive statistical analysis of experimentally measured time intervals between spontaneous polarization switchings in a bistable VCSEL from standpoint of a possibility to generate random nmnbers. We propose an effective and robust algorithm of conversion of residence times into truly random binary nmnbers. This algorithm allows one to avoid the problem of biasing in the output bit stream as well as to obtain low correlation between bits.

© 2007 IEEE