Computer scientists from Ruder Boškovic Institute (RBI) in Zagreb, Croatia, have developed and launched the novel internet service providing online access to a random number generator.
The range of applications of this 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 (Quantum Random Bit Generator Service), is based on the Quantum Random Number Generator device developed and built two years ago by RBI.
According to the researchers, the overwhelming majority of other random number generators in use today do not 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 example, rolling a dice.
Anyone with access to a database from which the pseudo-random number is picked can accurately predict the next number that will come out of such generators.
QRBG on the other hand uses the inherently unpredictable quantum process of photon emission to generate random numbers, and is thus guaranteed to provide 'true’ random numbers that are impossible to predict.
RBI’s QRBGS service enables real-time internet access to the QRGB device through several network access modes, such as C/C++ libraries, web services and Mathematica/Matlab client add-ons.
The QRBG device is located and operated at the RBI and is connected to the internet through computer clusters and GRID networks. The service is free for the academic and scientific community.
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