Optical key distribution system using atmospheric turbulence as the randomness generating function: classical optical protocol for information assurance

Drake, Marvin D.; Bas, Christophe F.; Gervais, David R.; Renda, Priscilla F.; Townsend, Daniel J.; Rushanan, Joseph J.; Francoeur, Joe; Donnangelo, Nick C.; Stenner, Michael D.

doi:10.1117/1.oe.52.5.055008

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The detectors are InGaAs transimpedance amplified photodetectors (PDAs) from Thorlabs. The introduction of a temporal phase modulation, or dither signal, on the reference arm of the interferometer was critical for precise calculations of the phase distortions [4,16]. We selected a frequency of 500 Hz, which was arbitrary.…”

Section: Experimental Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It also provides an experimental validation for other works that suggest the use of the atmosphere as a random number generator (RNG); see Ref. [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are many ways to generate pseudo-random numbers or sequences but not many methods or sources to generate true random numbers or sequences. Some are already using the noise produced by the atmosphere in optical and radio waves as a source of entropy [2][3][4]. Most recently, attempts to use the noise produced by the atmospheric turbulence in the spatial component of an optical beam as a random bit generator have been reported by Marangon et al [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of the temporal phase fluctuations in a weak atmospheric turbulence regime as a random bit-stream generator

et al. 2015

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This paper investigates the extent to which atmospheric turbulence can be exploited as a random bit generator. Atmospheric turbulence is considered an inherently random process due to the complex inhomogeneous system composition and its sensitivity to changes in pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. A self-calibrating Mach-Zehnder interferometer was used to collect phase fluctuations in the temporal domain introduced to an optical beam propagating through the atmosphere. The recorded phase fluctuations were converted into bit streams that were further analyzed in order to search for evidence of randomness. Empirical data and results that characterize the degree of randomness produced in the temporal phase component of an optical wave propagating through the atmosphere are presented.

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Section: Experimental Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It also provides an experimental validation for other works that suggest the use of the atmosphere as a random number generator (RNG); see Ref. [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of the temporal phase fluctuations in a weak atmospheric turbulence regime as a random bit-stream generator

et al. 2015

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“…It is well-known that interferometric methods can be used to estimate the phase [7][8][9][10][11], with several practical applications [12][13][14][15]. Recently, the possibility of using the random phase acquired by a light field on propagation through atmospheric turbulence for cryptographic purposes has been explored [16][17][18]. In [16], random-key generation using phase fluctuations of a light field that has propagated through a turbulent atmosphere was demonstrated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In [16], random-key generation using phase fluctuations of a light field that has propagated through a turbulent atmosphere was demonstrated. In [17,18], it was shown that the phase acquired by a light field on propagation through atmosphericturbulence-like conditions can be used by two remote observers to distill a shared random key.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase-sharing using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer

et al. 2015

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A phase-sharing scheme using the Mach-Zehnder interferometric setup is demonstrated. Two coherent light fields of the same wavelength which have orthogonal polarizations are used as sources at the two ends of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. They are made to interfere independently at the opposing ends of the interferometer so that the phase estimated by two observers at the two opposing ends of the interferometer is nearly identical. The scheme could in principle be used by two observers to simultaneously monitor and study a phase object inserted in one of the arms of the interferometer. A pseudorandom phase plate which mimics atmospheric turbulence is inserted in one of the arms of the interferometer to demonstrate that such a phase-sharing scheme could be converted to a secret-key sharing scheme. Shared secret-key generation is demonstrated through evaluation of the phase correlates of the shared phase samples available at their respective ends. The shared random phases could also be used in a more direct manner by the respective observers for random phase encryption of images.

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Random number generation and distribution out of thin (or thick) air

Bornman

Forbes

Kempf

2020

J. Opt.

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Much scientific work has focused on the generation of random numbers as well as the distribution of said random numbers for use as a cryptographic key. However, emphasis is often placed on one of the two to the exclusion of the other, but both are often simultaneously important. Here we present a simple hybrid free-space link scheme for both the generation and secure distribution of (pseudo-)random numbers between two remote parties, drawing the randomness from the stochastic nature of atmospheric turbulence. The atmosphere is simulated using digital micro-mirror devices for efficient, all-digital control. After outlining one potential algorithm for extracting random numbers based on finding the centre-of-mass (COM) of turbulent beam intensity profiles, the statistics of our experimental COM measurements is studied and found to agree well with the literature. After implementing the scheme in the laboratory, Alice and Bob are able to establish a string of correlated random bits with an 84% fidelity. Finally, we make a simple modification to the original setup in an attempt to thwart the hacking attempts of an eavesdropper, Eve, who has access to the free-space portion of the link. We find that the fidelity between Eve's key and that of Alice/Bob is 54%, only slightly above the theoretical minimum. Atmospheric turbulence could hence be leveraged as an added security measure, rather than being seen as a drawback.

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Optical key distribution system using atmospheric turbulence as the randomness generating function: classical optical protocol for information assurance

Cited by 13 publications

References 14 publications

Characterization of the temporal phase fluctuations in a weak atmospheric turbulence regime as a random bit-stream generator

Characterization of the temporal phase fluctuations in a weak atmospheric turbulence regime as a random bit-stream generator

Phase-sharing using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer

Random number generation and distribution out of thin (or thick) air

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