Context: The DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory for Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT), a DRDO facility based in Mumbai, has developed a QRNG, which has the ability to detect random quantum events and convert those into a stream of binary digits.

• The facility has developed a fiber-optic branch path based QRNG.

Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG)

• Branch path-based QRNG relies on the principle that if a single photon falls on a balanced beam splitter, it will take either of the beam-splitter output paths randomly.
• As the path chosen by the photon is random, the randomness is translated to a sequence of binary digits, also called
• Random numbers have essential roles in various fields ranging from quantum communication, cryptography applications like key generation, key wrapping, authentication along with scientific simulations, lotteries and fundamental physics experiments.
• The generation of perfect randomness is generally considered impossible with classical methodologies.
• Quantum mechanics has the inherent potential of providing true random numbers and thus has become the preferred option for scientific applications requiring randomness.
• The QRNG system developed by the laboratory (DYSL-QT) has passed the global randomness testing standards of NIST and Die-harder Statistical Test Suites at the speed of around 150 kbps after post-processing.
• The generated random numbers are also evaluated and verified using DRDO’s indigenously developed Randomness Testing Statistical Test Suite of SAG.
• With this development, India enters the club of countries which have the technology to achieve the generation of random numbers based on the Quantum Phenomenon.”

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology

• It is primarily a mechanism to undertake secure communication, which utilises a cryptographic protocol involving various components of quantum mechanics.
• The technology enables two communicating sides to come up with random secret keys shared by both of them and known exclusively to them, and only they can use it to encrypt and decrypt messages, thus achieving highly secure communication.
• Quantum Technologies concerns the study, control and manipulation of quantum principle- based systems with the goal of achieving information processing, secure communication and superior sensors beyond the limits of the classical systems.
• It is a deeply interdisciplinary field, lying in the cross-over of areas such as quantum physics, condensed matter physics, computer science, mathematics and electrical and electronics engineering.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/drdo-facility-develops-quantum-random-number-generator-7125231/

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