Developing the first Space-suitable Quantum Random Number Generator

Quantum technology can enable highly-secure communications through satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) which exploits UK expertise in miniature satellites. The space approach mitigates current limitations of terrestrial QKD networks: the relatively high price-tag of infrastructure as compared to miniature satellites, and restrictions on range resulting from terrestrial QKD's fibre-based networks. Our vision for this project is to develop a crucial component required for (satellite-)QKD, a space-suitable and high-rate Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG). The focus of such R&D will be novel globally.

This project's key objective is to develop and test a compact, lightweight and low-power consuming QRNG package that can provide reliably secure random numbers at a high enough bitrate for by satellite-QKD developers of at least 400Mbps. The main area of focus is on the environmental testing of such a QRNG device, to ensure that the QRNG is robust enough to withstand the extreme harshness of the space environment. This will be accomplished by leveraging modern integrated photonics and integrated electronics methods to produce a deployable QRNG subsystem that can begin addressing the growing market need for space-suitable sources of entropy.

The innovation behind this project is in two parts. First, Quantum Dice is developing an innovative way of generating secure and high rates of random numbers from a quantum process, which was developed at the University of Oxford. This innovation is based on a newly developed and patent-protected protocol called source-device independent self-certification (DISC) which allows for the distillation of quantum entropy into verified random numbers while also accounting for the sources of internal classical noise in the hardware source. The latter classical noise can compromise the security of the output and has in-fact been reported to be the root cause of many security failures in currently-used random number generators. Second, the results of the series of space-environmental testing done by Craft Prospect will be innovative research that is crucial to quality a QRNG for deployment in a space-QKD demonstration mission, after which the QRNG will gain space heritage and hence space-qualification, which is normally both a costly and time-consuming process.