Project 1: Quantum Random Number Generator

Description

A Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, specifically superposition, to generate truly random numbers. Unlike classical pseudo-random number generators that rely on deterministic algorithms, QRNGs produce numbers that are fundamentally unpredictable.

Objectives

• Understand and implement the concept of superposition using a Hadamard gate.
• Create a quantum circuit that generates a random bit (0 or 1).
• Extend the circuit to generate a sequence of random bits to form a random number.
• Test the randomness of the generated numbers.

Implementation Details

1. Framework: Use a quantum computing framework like Qiskit (Python) or Cirq.
2. Circuit for a single random bit:
   • Initialize a single qubit in the state $|0\rangle$.
   • Apply a Hadamard gate to the qubit to put it in a superposition of $|0\rangle$ and $|1\rangle$.
   • Measure the qubit. The outcome will be 0 or 1 with equal probability.
3. Circuit for a random number:
   • Repeat the single-bit process for a desired number of bits.
   • Concatenate the bits to form a random number.
4. Code Example (Qiskit):

from qiskit import QuantumCircuit, execute, Aer

def generate_random_bit():
    # Create a quantum circuit with one qubit and one classical bit
    circuit = QuantumCircuit(1, 1)

    # Apply a Hadamard gate to the qubit
    circuit.h(0)

    # Measure the qubit
    circuit.measure(0, 0)

    # Execute the circuit on a simulator
    backend = Aer.get_backend('qasm_simulator')
    job = execute(circuit, backend, shots=1)
    result = job.result()
    counts = result.get_counts(circuit)

    # Return the random bit
    return int(list(counts.keys())[0])

# Generate a 4-bit random number
random_number = ""
for _ in range(4):
    random_number += str(generate_random_bit())

print(f"Random number: {random_number}")