Abstract: A photon detection device having a high light detection efficiency. The photon detection device includes a first light reception part which receives a gate signal and outputs a first signal; a second light reception part which receives a gate signal and outputs a second signal; and a determination part which determines whether or not a photon is received, on the basis of the first signal from the first light reception part and the second signal from the second light reception part. The photon is incident on the first light reception part among the first light reception part and the second light reception part, and the breakdown voltage of the second light reception part is higher than the breakdown voltage of the first light reception part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers by way of a quantum optics process uses a light source to produce a beam which illuminates a detector array. The detectors of the array are associated with random numbers values. Detection of a photon by one of the detectors yields a number whose value is equal to that associated with the detector. This procedure is repeated to produce sequences of true random numbers. The randomness of the numbers stems from the transverse spatial distribution of the detection probability of the photons in the beam. If the array is made up of two detectors, the true random numbers produced are binary numbers. The process can be sped up using an array having pairs of two detectors. Using an array having more than two detectors also allows generating true random numbers of dimension higher than two. The primary object of the invention is to allow generating true random numbers by way of a quantum optics process.