Low-energy random number generation is critical for many emerging computing schemes proposed to complement or replace von Neumann architectures. However, current random number generators are always associated with an energy cost that is prohibitive for these computing schemes. In this paper, we introduce random number bit generation based on specific nanodevices: superparamagnetic tunnel junctions. We experimentally demonstrate high quality random bit generation that represents orders-of-magnitude improvements in energy efficiency compared to current solutions. We show that the random generation speed improves with nanodevice scaling, and investigate the impact of temperature, magnetic field and crosstalk. Finally, we show how alternative computing schemes can be implemented using superparamagentic tunnel junctions as random number generators. These results open the way for fabricating efficient hardware computing devices leveraging stochasticity, and highlight a novel use for emerging nanodevices.
@article{arxiv.1706.05262,
title = {Low-Energy Truly Random Number Generation with Superparamagnetic Tunnel Junctions for Unconventional Computing},
author = {Damir Vodenicarevic and Nicolas Locatelli and Alice Mizrahi and Joseph S. Friedman and Adrien F. Vincent and Miguel Romera and Akio Fukushima and Kay Yakushiji and Hitoshi Kubota and Shinji Yuasa and Sandip Tiwari and Julie Grollier and Damien Querlioz},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1706.05262},
year = {2017}
}