Abstract: An apparatus and a corresponding method for generating at least one random number are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical parametric oscillator being pumped by a pump signal with a predetermined pump power and a predetermined pump frequency. The optical parametric oscillator is configured to operate in a period multiplication state for providing an oscillator output signal of alternating light pulses, the oscillator output signal having a period that is N-times the period of the pump signal, where N is an integer and N>I. The apparatus also includes a comparing unit being configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal, wherein the reference signal has a frequency that is 1/N of the predetermined pump frequency, and an evaluation unit being configured to generate the at least one random number based on the comparison of the output signal with the reference signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a corresponding method for generating at least one random number are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical parametric oscillator being pumped by a pump signal with a predetermined pump power and a predetermined pump frequency. The optical parametric oscillator is configured to operate in a period multiplication state for providing an oscillator output signal of alternating light pulses, the oscillator output signal having a period that is N-times the period of the pump signal, where N is an integer and N>1. The apparatus also includes a comparing unit being configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal, wherein the reference signal has a frequency that is 1/N of the predetermined pump frequency, and an evaluation unit being configured to generate the at least one random number based on the comparison of the output signal with the reference signal.