Unlike the "pseudo-random" number generators used in software everywhere, here we have a truly "random" number generator (at least with our current understanding of physics). Impossible to predict the next number - no matter how much information about the universe you know.
Most modern systems contain hardware RNGs that get noise from thermal effects, ultimately quantum too.
Chernobyl Dice: A quantum random number generator with a Nixie tube display
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Thermal effects do not rely on quantum behaviour. They arise from an extremely large but classically deterministic state space.
Re: Chernobyl Dice: A quantum random number generator with a Nixie tube display
#32Unlike the "pseudo-random" number generators used in software everywhere, here we have a truly "random" number generator (at least with our current understanding of physics). Impossible to predict the next number - no matter how much information about the universe you know.
Does this mean determinism is moot?
In my mind, Schrödinger's cat was an important thought experiment that pointed strongly in this direction. Whether it is just a limitation stemming from our current knowledge of physics or something else is still debatable.
Re: Chernobyl Dice: A quantum random number generator with a Nixie tube display
#33A radioactive-based random number generator surely is fun. But a friendly reminder to those readers who want a quantum device but prefer a low-power, solid-state implementation: A "quantum" random number generator doesn't always have to be fancy, it can be as boring as a diode. Diodes only allow current to flow to one direction, but if you reverse bias a diode hard enough, they'll eventually breakdown, conduct, and p…
Thanks for this interesting follow up post! :)