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Real-time vacuum-state quantum random number generator on a chip
Authors:
Guan-Ru Qiao,
Bing Bai,
Zi-Xuan Weng,
Han-Shen Chen,
Wei Zheng,
Zhi-Yuan Zheng,
You-Qi Nie,
Jun Zhang,
Jian-Wei Pan
Abstract:
Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) produce true random numbers, which are guaranteed by the fundamental principles of quantum physics. Miniaturization of QRNGs is crucial for a wide range of communication and cryptography applications. Here, we first report a fully functional QRNG chip based on vacuum-state fluctuations, with dimensions of 16.6 mm x 7.8 mm. The quantum entropy source, which…
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Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) produce true random numbers, which are guaranteed by the fundamental principles of quantum physics. Miniaturization of QRNGs is crucial for a wide range of communication and cryptography applications. Here, we first report a fully functional QRNG chip based on vacuum-state fluctuations, with dimensions of 16.6 mm x 7.8 mm. The quantum entropy source, which is achieved via hybrid photonic integration with a SiO2 waveguide, generates raw quantum random numbers. The hybrid photonic and electrical components are assembled into a compact ceramic package using system-in-package technology. A microcontroller unit acquires the raw data and outputs the processed quantum random numbers via a serial peripheral interface. According to the characterization results, the QRNG chip achieves a constant real-time output rate of 5.2 Mbps across the industrial temperature range of -40°C to 85°C, making it suitable for practical applications.
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Submitted 16 September, 2025;
originally announced September 2025.
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Lipidation-induced bacterial cell membrane translocation of star-peptides
Authors:
Amal Jayawardena,
Andrew Hung,
Greg Qiao,
Elnaz Hajizadeh
Abstract:
The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria demands development of novel and effective antimicrobial agents. Structurally Nanoengineered Antimicrobial Peptide Polymers (SNAPPs), characterized by their unique star-shaped architecture and potent multivalent interactions, represent a promising solution. This study leverages molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the impact of lip…
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The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria demands development of novel and effective antimicrobial agents. Structurally Nanoengineered Antimicrobial Peptide Polymers (SNAPPs), characterized by their unique star-shaped architecture and potent multivalent interactions, represent a promising solution. This study leverages molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the impact of lipidation on SNAPPs' structural stability, membrane interactions, and antibacterial efficacy. We show that lipidation with hexanoic acid (C6), lauric acid (C12), and stearic acid (C18) enhances the α-helical stability of SNAPP arms, facilitating deeper insertion into the hydrophobic core of bacterial membranes. Among the variants, C12-SNAPP exhibits the most significant bilayer disruption, followed by C6-SNAPP, whereas the excessive hydrophobicity of C18-SNAPP leads to pronounced arm back-folding towards the core, reducing its effective interaction with the bilayer and limiting its bactericidal performance. Additionally, potential of mean force (PMF) analysis reveals that lipidation reduces the free energy barrier for translocation through the bilipid membrane compared to non-lipidated SNAPPs. These findings underscore the critical role of lipidation in optimizing SNAPPs for combating MDR pathogens. By fine-tuning lipid chain lengths, this study provides a framework for designing next-generation antimicrobial agents to address the global antibiotic resistance crisis, advancing modern therapeutic strategies.
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Submitted 9 May, 2025;
originally announced May 2025.
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Endoscopic Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy through a fiber microprobe
Authors:
Jaehyeon Kim,
Yue Tian,
Guanhua Qiao,
Julinna Abulencia Villarta,
Fujia Zhao,
Andrew He,
Ruo-Jing Ho,
Haoran Liu,
Rohit Bhargava,
Yingjie Zhang
Abstract:
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a powerful analytical method for not only the chemical identification of solid, liquid, and gas species, but also the quantification of their concentration. However, the chemical quantification capability of FTIR is significantly hindered when the analyte is surrounded by a strong IR absorbing medium, such as liquid solutions. To overcome this limi…
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Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a powerful analytical method for not only the chemical identification of solid, liquid, and gas species, but also the quantification of their concentration. However, the chemical quantification capability of FTIR is significantly hindered when the analyte is surrounded by a strong IR absorbing medium, such as liquid solutions. To overcome this limit, here we develop an IR fiber microprobe that can be inserted into liquid medium, and obtain full FTIR spectra at points of interest. To benchmark this endoscopic FTIR method, we insert the microprobe into bulk water covering a ZnSe substrate and measure the IR transmittance of water as a function of the probe-substrate distance. The obtained vibrational modes, overall transmittance vs z profiles, quantitative absorption coefficients, and micro z-section IR transmittance spectra are all consistent with the standard IR absorption properties of water. The results pave the way for endoscopic chemical profiling inside bulk liquid solutions, promising for applications in many biological, chemical, and electrochemical systems.
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Submitted 1 December, 2024; v1 submitted 13 September, 2024;
originally announced September 2024.
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Performance assessment of helicon wave heating and current drive in EXL-50 spherical torus plasmas
Authors:
G. J. Qiao,
D. Luo,
S. D. Song,
J. Q. Dong,
Y. J. Shi,
J. C. Li,
D. Du,
Y. K. Martin Peng,
M. S. Liu,
EXL-50 team
Abstract:
Analysis of helicon wave heating and current drive capability in EXL-50 spherical torus plasmas has been conducted. It is found that the driven current increases with the launched parallel refractive index $n_{||}$ and peaks around $n_{||} = 4.0$ when the frequency of the helicon wave is between 300~MHz and 380~MHz. The helicon wave current drive efficiency shows a relatively stable upward trend w…
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Analysis of helicon wave heating and current drive capability in EXL-50 spherical torus plasmas has been conducted. It is found that the driven current increases with the launched parallel refractive index $n_{||}$ and peaks around $n_{||} = 4.0$ when the frequency of the helicon wave is between 300~MHz and 380~MHz. The helicon wave current drive efficiency shows a relatively stable upward trend with increasing plasma temperature. Moreover, the driven current decreases as the plasma density increases. We also analyzed the current drive with helicon waves of 150~MHz and 170~MHz and found that the driven current at a lower frequency was lower than that at a higher frequency. A positive proportional relationship exists between the driven current and $n_{||}$. Besides, as $n_{||}$ increases, the profile of the driven current becomes wider. Finally, the effect of the scrape-off layer (SOL) region on the helicon wave current drive was also investigated.
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Submitted 17 December, 2022;
originally announced December 2022.
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18.8 Gbps real-time quantum random number generator with a photonic integrated chip
Authors:
Bing Bai,
Jianyao Huang,
Guan-Ru Qiao,
You-Qi Nie,
Weijie Tang,
Tao Chu,
Jun Zhang,
Jian-Wei Pan
Abstract:
Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can produce true random numbers. Yet, the two most important QRNG parameters highly desired for practical applications, i.e., speed and size, have to be compromised during implementations. Here, we present the fastest and miniaturized QRNG with a record real-time output rate as high as 18.8 Gbps by combining a photonic integrated chip and the technology of…
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Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can produce true random numbers. Yet, the two most important QRNG parameters highly desired for practical applications, i.e., speed and size, have to be compromised during implementations. Here, we present the fastest and miniaturized QRNG with a record real-time output rate as high as 18.8 Gbps by combining a photonic integrated chip and the technology of optimized randomness extraction. We assemble the photonic integrated circuit designed for vacuum state QRNG implementation, InGaAs homodyne detector and high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifier into a single chip using hybrid packaging, which exhibits the excellent characteristics of integration and high-frequency response. With a sample rate of 2.5 GSa/s in a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter and subsequent paralleled postprocessing in a field programmable gate array, the QRNG outputs ultrafast random bitstreams via a fiber optic transceiver, whose real-time speed is validated in a personal computer.
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Submitted 27 May, 2021;
originally announced May 2021.