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Semi-Device-Independent Quantum Random Number Generator Resistant to General Attacks

arXiv Quantum Physics
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⚡ Quantum Brief
Researchers led by Zhenguo Lu developed a semi-device-independent quantum random number generator (QRNG) resistant to general attacks, including malicious device manipulation. The breakthrough balances security and generation speed, addressing a key challenge in quantum cryptography. The protocol eliminates strict device characterization requirements, needing only energy limits on emitted states. This reduces practical implementation barriers while maintaining security against finite-size effects, verified using the Kato inequality for correlated variables. A continuous-variable system with ternary input states was demonstrated, achieving 1.165 Mbps net randomness at 100 MHz. Heterodyne detection enabled phase compensation via postprocessing, easing stability demands on hardware. The team’s approach outperforms traditional QRNGs by generating more randomness than consumed, a critical efficiency milestone. The simple experimental setup enhances scalability for real-world quantum cryptographic applications. Published in February 2026, this work advances semi-DI QRNGs toward practical deployment, combining robust security with high-speed performance in a single framework.
Semi-Device-Independent Quantum Random Number Generator Resistant to General Attacks

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Quantum Physics arXiv:2602.06362 (quant-ph) [Submitted on 6 Feb 2026] Title:Semi-Device-Independent Quantum Random Number Generator Resistant to General Attacks Authors:Zhenguo Lu, Jundong Wu, Yu Zhang, Shaobo Ren, Xuyang Wang, Hongyi Zhou, Yongmin Li View a PDF of the paper titled Semi-Device-Independent Quantum Random Number Generator Resistant to General Attacks, by Zhenguo Lu and 5 other authors View PDF Abstract:Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) produce true random numbers based on the inherent randomness of quantum theory, rendering them a foundational segment of quantum cryptography. Distinguished from trusted-device QRNGs whose security depends on characterized devices, semi-device-independent (semi-DI) QRNGs permit partial devices to be defective or even maliciously manipulated, which achieves a good trade-off between generation rate and security. In this paper, we propose a semi-DI QRNG that resists general attacks while accounting for finite-size effects. The protocol requires no rigorous characterization of the source and measurement devices other than limiting the energy of the emitted states, significantly reducing the demands on practical QRNG systems. Leveraging the tight Kato inequality for correlated variables, we show that our protocol generates more randomness than it consumes. Furthermore, we demonstrate the scheme on a continuous-variable system with ternary inputs of states. Heterodyne detection is employed to enable phase compensation through data postprocessing, alleviating the stringent requirement on system stability. The system operates at 100 MHz, achieving a net random number generation rate of 1.165 Mbps at 5.3x10^9 rounds. Our work offers a promising approach to achieve both the robust security and high generation rate with a simple experimental setup. Subjects: Quantum Physics (quant-ph) Cite as: arXiv:2602.06362 [quant-ph] (or arXiv:2602.06362v1 [quant-ph] for this version) https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2602.06362 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration) Submission history From: Zhenguo Lu [view email] [v1] Fri, 6 Feb 2026 03:47:12 UTC (887 KB) Full-text links: Access Paper: View a PDF of the paper titled Semi-Device-Independent Quantum Random Number Generator Resistant to General Attacks, by Zhenguo Lu and 5 other authorsView PDFTeX Source view license Current browse context: quant-ph new | recent | 2026-02 References & Citations INSPIRE HEP NASA ADSGoogle Scholar Semantic Scholar export BibTeX citation Loading... BibTeX formatted citation × loading... Data provided by: Bookmark Bibliographic Tools Bibliographic and Citation Tools Bibliographic Explorer Toggle Bibliographic Explorer (What is the Explorer?) Connected Papers Toggle Connected Papers (What is Connected Papers?) Litmaps Toggle Litmaps (What is Litmaps?) scite.ai Toggle scite Smart Citations (What are Smart Citations?) Code, Data, Media Code, Data and Media Associated with this Article alphaXiv Toggle alphaXiv (What is alphaXiv?) Links to Code Toggle CatalyzeX Code Finder for Papers (What is CatalyzeX?) DagsHub Toggle DagsHub (What is DagsHub?) GotitPub Toggle Gotit.pub (What is GotitPub?) Huggingface Toggle Hugging Face (What is Huggingface?) Links to Code Toggle Papers with Code (What is Papers with Code?) ScienceCast Toggle ScienceCast (What is ScienceCast?) Demos Demos Replicate Toggle Replicate (What is Replicate?) Spaces Toggle Hugging Face Spaces (What is Spaces?) Spaces Toggle TXYZ.AI (What is TXYZ.AI?) Related Papers Recommenders and Search Tools Link to Influence Flower Influence Flower (What are Influence Flowers?) Core recommender toggle CORE Recommender (What is CORE?) Author Venue Institution Topic About arXivLabs arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs. Which authors of this paper are endorsers? | Disable MathJax (What is MathJax?)

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Source: arXiv Quantum Physics