# US 10,437,559 B2 · Method for generating random numbers and associated random number generator

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- Number: US 10,437,559 B2
- Document ID: US10437559B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/024,409
- Filed: 2018-06-29
- Published: 2019-01-10
- Granted: 2019-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-09
- Assignees: Quantum Numbers Corp.
- Applicants: Quantum Numbers Corp.
- Inventors: Bertrand Reulet
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10437559B2

## CPC

- G06F 7/588: {Random number generators, i.e. based on natural stochastic processes}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A random signal can be obtained from a random tunneling of charges from one conductor to another conductor across a quantum tunneling barrier. The random signal can be amplified and associated to a random number. The association can be performed repetitively to generate a sequence of random numbers.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for generating at least one random number, the method comprising the steps of:
generating a current of charges tunneling from a first one of two conductors to a second one of the two conductors across an insulator material, the current of the tunneled charges having an instantaneous level varying randomly due to quantum tunneling and forming a random signal, wherein each one of the two conductors is configured to be connectable to a corresponding terminal of a voltage source;
associating the instantaneous level of the random signal to a random number; and
generating a signal indicative of the random number.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising generating the quantum tunnelling of charges by applying a difference of potential across the two conductors, and wherein during said applying a difference of potential, said quantum tunnelling barrier causes classical reflection of charges driven against it by the difference of potential.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising amplifying the instantaneous level of the random signal prior to said association.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein said amplifying is applied solely to components of the instantaneous level of the random signal within a frequency bandwidth of 0.1 MHz to 1000 MHz.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said associating further comprises sampling the instantaneous level of the random signal.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein said sampling further comprises determining the random number based on one or more of the least significant bits of a plurality of bits of the sampled random signal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein said sampling is performed at a rate above 1 billion samplings per second.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the two conductors are in the form of conductive layers sandwiching the insulator material.