Full randomness from arbitrarily deterministic events

Rodrigo Gallego, Lluis Masanes, Gonzalo De La Torre, Chirag Dhara, Leandro Aolita and Antonio Acín ()
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Rodrigo Gallego: ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Mediterranean Technology Park
Lluis Masanes: ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Mediterranean Technology Park
Gonzalo De La Torre: ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Mediterranean Technology Park
Chirag Dhara: ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Mediterranean Technology Park
Leandro Aolita: ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Mediterranean Technology Park
Antonio Acín: ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Mediterranean Technology Park

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Do completely unpredictable events exist? Classical physics excludes fundamental randomness. Although quantum theory makes probabilistic predictions, this does not imply that nature is random, as randomness should be certified without relying on the complete structure of the theory being used. Bell tests approach the question from this perspective. However, they require prior perfect randomness, falling into a circular reasoning. A Bell test that generates perfect random bits from bits possessing high—but less than perfect—randomness has recently been obtained. Yet, the main question remained open: does any initial randomness suffice to certify perfect randomness? Here we show that this is indeed the case. We provide a Bell test that uses arbitrarily imperfect random bits to produce bits that are, under the non-signalling principle assumption, perfectly random. This provides the first protocol attaining full randomness amplification. Our results have strong implications onto the debate of whether there exist events that are fully random.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3654

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