Quantum random bit generator service for Monte Carlo and other stochastic simulations

Abstract

The work presented in this paper has been motivated by scientific necessity (primarily of the local scientific community) of running various (stochastic) simulations (in cluster/Grid environments), whose results often depend on the quality (distribution, nondeterminism, entropy, etc.) of used random numbers. Since true random numbers are impossible to generate with a finite state machine (such as today's computers), scientists are forced either to use specialized expensive hardware number generators, or, more frequently, to content themselves with suboptimal solutions (like pseudorandom numbers generators). Quantum Random Bit Generator Service has begun as a result of an attempt to fulfill the scientists' needs for quality random numbers, but has now grown to a global (public) high-quality true random numbers service. © 2008 Springer.