Random Number Generator

Reading Matt Parker’s book, Humble Pi, introduced me to a random number generator run by the Department of Quantum Sciences at Australian National University (ANU). The generator produces random numbers in real-time by measuring the quantum fluctuations of the vacuum.

Quote from the ANU QRNG (Quantum Random Number Generator) website:

The vacuum is described very differently in the quantum physics and classical physics. In classical physics, a vacuum is considered as a space that is empty of matter or photons. Quantum physics however says that that same space resembles a sea of virtual particles appearing and disappearing all the time. This is because the vacuum still possesses a zero-point energy. Consequently, the electromagnetic field of the vacuum exhibits random fluctuations in phase and amplitude at all frequencies. By carefully measuring these fluctuations, we are able to generate ultra-high bandwidth random numbers.

The QRNG will produce random colors, binary digits, dice rolls, black and white pixels, and other variations of random outcomes on their website.

 Here is a screenshot of the QRNG random color generator:

Here is sample of generating random binary digits: