Fast physical random number generation making use of frequency noise characteristics of a vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25390093
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Optical engineering, Photon science
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Takashi 新潟大学, 自然科学系, 教授 (10143752)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): OHDAIRA Yasuo 新潟大学, 自然科学系, 准教授 (10361891) ; OHKAWA Masashi 新潟大学, 自然科学系, 教授 (90213644)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 半導体レーザ / 面発光型半導体レーザ / 周波数雑音 / 物理乱数

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We generated the physical random number by converting a fluctuation of the semiconductor laser’s frequency into a change of the optical intensity and digitizing it. We compared the generation speeds of random numbers using the Fabry-Perot type laser diode and VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) and examined the influence of their internal structure. As a result, we generated random number bit strings at 120Gbit/s in VCSEL and at 77Gbit/s in FPLD. The VCSEL’s broad line-width enables us to generate random numbers with the greatest efficiency.
However, fluctuations in both atmospheric temperature and the injection current to the semiconductor laser affect the laser’s oscillation frequency. Therefore, we improved the stability of generated fast physical random numbers using a semiconductor laser with a stabilized oscillation frequency. We proposed the new Optical Range Finder system used semiconductor laser’s frequency noise and obtained the resolution of 0.5mm.

Free Research Field

光量子エレクトロニクス