Home Reports Physics and Astronomy Content

Croatian Research Institute Launches Novel Online Random Number Generator Service

next article

19.07.2007

Computer experts from Ruder Boškovic Institute (RBI) in Zagreb, Croatia, developed and launched the novel internet service providing online access to a 'true' random number generator.

The range of applications of this unique service, named 'QRBGS', spans fields as diverse as advanced scientific simulations, cryptographic data protection and security applications, as well as virtual entertainment – including online gambling and computer games.

'QRBGS' is an acronym for 'Quantum Random Bit Generator Service'. The service is based on 'Quantum Random Number Generator' – or QRBG for short – which is itself an innovative electronic device developed and built two years ago by RBI’s researchers. Overwhelming majority of other random number generators in use today don’t actually provide the 'true' random numbers, but instead so-called 'pseudo-random' numbers. They use various algorithms to pick the numbers from large pre-compiled databases of numbers obtained by e.g. rolling the dice. Hence, anyone who has access to such a database from which the pseudo-random number is picked, can accurately predict the next number that comes out of such generators. On the other hand, QRBG uses the inherently unpredictable quantum process of photon emission to generate random numbers, and as an output it provides the 'true’ random numbers which are impossible to predict.

The new RBI’s QRBGS service enables real-time internet access to QRGB device through several network access modes, such as C/C++ libraries, web services and Mathematica/Matlab client add-ons. The QRBG device itself is located and operated at the RBI and is connected to the internet through advanced computer technologies such as computer clusters and GRID networks. The use of QRBG service is free of charge for academic and scientific community.

QRBGS is available online at http://random.irb.hr/.

Duje Bonacci | Source: alphagalileo
Further information: random.irb.hr/
www.irb.hr

next article