Fast random bit generation using a chaotic laser: approaching the information theoretic limit

We design and implement a chaotic-based system, enabling ultra-fast random bit sequence generation. The potential of this system to realize bit rates of 160 Gbit/s for 8-bit digitization and 480 Gbit/s for 16-bit digitization is demonstrated. In addition, we provide detailed insight into the interplay of dynamical properties, acquisition conditions and post-processing, using simple and robust procedures. We employ the chaotic output of a semiconductor laser subjected to polarization-rotated feedback. We show that not only dynamics affect the randomness of the bits, but also the digitization conditions and postprocessing must be taken into account for successful random bit generation. Applying these general guidelines, extensible to other chaos-based systems, we can define the optimal conditions for random bit generation. We experimentally demonstrate the relevance of these criteria by extending the bit rate of our random bit generator by about two orders of magnitude. Finally, we discuss the information theoretic limits, showing that following our approach we reach the maximum possible generation rate.