A concept in quantum information theory where the security or functionality of a protocol does not depend on the specific implementation of the quantum devices used. This principle is particularly important in quantum cryptography and randomness generation.
In the context of randomness generation, device-independent protocols, like those used in Quantum Origin's quantum seed creation, ensure that the randomness quality is guaranteed. This is achieved through rigorous mathematical proofs based on observed violations of Bell inequalities.
Device independence provides a robust security framework, reducing reliance on hardware integrity and manufacturer trust. This approach is valuable in various quantum protocols, including quantum key distribution and randomness generation, offering security guarantees based on fundamental physical principles rather than specific hardware implementations.
Having a seed of guaranteed quality significantly reduces hardware trust requirements on the client-side. The mathematically proven extraction process, as detailed in the peer-reviewed paper "Practical randomness amplification and privatization with implementations on quantum computers" (Foreman et al., 2023), guarantees the amplification of input randomness to near-perfect randomness using the quantum seed. This process works effectively even with low-quality input sources, ensuring high-quality output regardless of the specific hardware implementation or potential imperfections in the local randomness source.