Anthony Martin

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) enables the expansion of cryptographic keys between two parties, allowing for proven secure communication. The main downside of QKD protocols is their vulnerability to attacks that target the physical implementation. Device Independent Quantum Key Distribution (DIQKD) is a new paradigm addressing this issue by relaxing assumptions on the physical implementation. First DIQKD experiments were reported in 2022, proving the feasibility of DIQKD. However, these experiences required highly sophisticated setups. Here, we analyse the suitability of a novel optical implementation for DIQKD. Our results show that DIQKD could be realized with a simple setup using only commercially available hardware.

Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) have obtained notable attention and undergone substantial development, driven by their utility across diverse fields including simulations, gambling, and cryptography. This surge in interest stems from their unique capacity to deliver inherent randomness, which can only be derived from the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. The key challenge lies in validating the quantum origin of the randomness produced, which usually requires either a thorough characterization of the elements in the setup or very experimentally challenging loophole-free bell tests. In this work, we present a simple, self-testing and cost-effective quantum random number generator (QRNG) designed to operate with an untrusted measurement device and a partially characterized source, yielding a high rate of random bits. We consider a prepare-and-measure scenario where the preparation device takes a binary input x and a binary output b is received from the measurement device. Depending on the input, the preparation device sends either a weak coherent state (x=1) or a vacuum state (x=0). The measurement device employs homodyne detection to distinguish between these states, and the output value is chosen when the detector current is below (b=0) or above (b=1) a certain threshold. In order to certify the quantum origin of the randomness generated by output b, we need to track the correlations between input and output and the average energy per pulse must respect an upper bound. By using a continuous wave laser to seed the pulsed laser that generates the states, we avoid the need for expensive electro-optical modulators as used in https://arxiv.org/abs/2004.08307. With this scheme we achieve an extraction rate of certified quantum randomness of around 625kHz.