Abstract: Apparatuses for transferring power from a power source to a computing device are provided for. The apparatuses include an entropy-generator for generating entropy. The apparatus is adapted for transferring the entropy to the computing device (such as a mobile computing device) when it is connected to the computing device. The device is adapted to power the entropy-generator with power received from the power source. Methods are also provided for. The methods include providing power and/or entropy to a computing device.

Abstract: Provided for herein is random number generator that includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser, VCSEL, a mode separator and a photodetector, the random number generator further comprising a power source to drive the VCSEL in direct modulation mode. The VCSEL is adapted to emit, from an emitting section into space outside of a VCSEL cavity, laser light with two distinct laser modes of random relative strength that can propagate in a propagation direction away from the emitting section. The mode separator is arranged between the photodetector and the VCSEL in propagation direction to separate the two distinct laser modes from each other and to transmit one of the distinct laser modes to the photodetector.

Abstract: A method for physical random number generation includes the steps of: modulating the gain of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser periodically from the lower threshold to the upper threshold and back; maintaining the gain per round trip positive for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity; maintaining the net gain per round trip negative for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity, in order to create optical pulses of random amplitude; detecting the optical pulses; converting the optical pulses into electrical analog pulses; and digitising the electrical analog pulses into random numbers.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for obtaining a cumulative distribution function from a signal, the signal having a range, the method comprising receiving the signal at a first port of a 1-bit comparator and applying a stepping signal at a second port of the comparator, the stepping signal having a stepping range that is less than the range of the signal, wherein the stepping signal is applied in a first step with a first value to the second port and in subsequent steps the subsequent value is increased or decreased by the stepping range compared to the value in the immediately preceding step, collecting, for each step, an output value at the output port of the comparator, collecting the output values for each of the steps and obtaining, from the collection of output values, the cumulative distribution function.

Abstract: A method is provided for that includes representing a random number and a threshold as a sequence of bits and comparing the sequence of bits representing the random number with the sequence of bits representing the threshold on a bit-wise basis. The most significant bit of the sequence of bits representing the random number is compared with the most significant sequence of bits representing the threshold. If the bits are not equal, deciding that the random number is larger or smaller than the threshold. If the bits are equal, comparing the immediately following bit in the sequence of bits representing the random number with the immediately following bit in the sequence of bits representing the threshold, and repeating this until the bit of the random number does not equal that of the threshold is reached or until all bits have been compared and found to be equal.

Abstract: An entropy provider for providing entropy to a computing device external to the entropy provider, the entropy provider comprising a power source and an entropy supply, wherein the power source is adapted to provide power to the entropy supply and wherein the entropy provider comprises a transmitter for transferring the entropy from the entropy supply to an external computing device.

Abstract: Apparatuses for transferring power from a power source to a computing device are provided for. The apparatuses include an entropy-generator for generating entropy. The apparatus is adapted for transferring the entropy to the computing device (such as a mobile computing device) when it is connected to the computing device. The device is adapted to power the entropy-generator with power received from the power source. Methods are also provided for. The methods include providing power and/or entropy to a computing device.

Abstract: System for generating random numbers comprising an optical component configured to generate two optical signals, and two photodetectors connected to the optical component, wherein the first photodetector is adapted to receive the first optical signal and to generate a first electrical signal and the second photodetector is adapted to receive the second optical signal and to generate a second electrical signal, wherein the optical component is adapted to generate first and second optical signals that randomly result in first and second electrical signals where the first and second electrical signals are either equal or one is larger than the other, the system characterized in that the photodetectors are adapted to transmit the first and second electrical signals to a comparator, wherein the comparator is adapted to provide an output based on a comparison of the first and second electrical signals, thereby providing the random number.

Abstract: A method for physical random number generation includes the steps of: modulating the gain of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser periodically from the lower threshold to the upper threshold and back; maintaining the gain per round trip positive for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity; maintaining the net gain per round trip negative for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity, in order to create optical pulses of random amplitude; detecting the optical pulses; converting the optical pulses into electrical analog pulses; and digitising the electrical analog pulses into random numbers.

Abstract: A process and system for producing random numbers by means of a quantum random number generator is disclosed, comprising the steps of operating a multimode laser in a laser cavity with periodic modulation of a net gain, and detecting the random intensity pattern produced by the inter-mode beating occurring within the laser cavity. The numbers produced are truly random and a minimal number of elements is required for operating the system.

Abstract: A process and system for producing random numbers by means of a quantum random number generator is disclosed, comprising the steps of operating a multimode laser in a laser cavity with periodic modulation of a net gain, and detecting the random intensity pattern produced by the inter-mode beating occurring within the laser cavity. The numbers produced are truly random and a minimal number of elements is required for operating the system.