Coherent and Quside demo VCSEL-based entropy source
Photonics company Coherent and quantum tech firm Quside say they have reached a major milestone in hardware-based security with the successful demonstration of a mass manufacturable quantum entropy source.
Their solution, which relies on Coherent VCSELs and Quside’s quantum random number generator, is described as a fast, verifiable quantum entropy source (an essential foundation for secure digital systems) that can be embedded at scale.
“VCSEL technology has already demonstrated its reliability and scalability across data centres, sensing, and high-volume optical systems,” said Giovanni Barbarossa, chief strategy officer at Coherent. “This collaboration shows how mature photonic manufacturing platforms can enable entirely new security functions while meeting the cost, reliability, and scale requirements needed for broad market adoption.”
“Security systems are only as strong as the randomness they rely on,” said Carlos Abellán, CEO and co-founder of Quside. “What makes this milestone unique is not only that the entropy is generated through quantum processes, but that it is fast, verifiable, and mass manufacturable by relying on volume proven 6 inch VCSEL production. This moves locally verified quantum entropy technology into practical, deployable infrastructure.”
At Photonics West 2026 in San Francisco, Coherent and Quside will present a live demonstration of the technology alongside development kits. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore how the solution can be integrated into next-generation secure designs, from silicon to system level, to meet growing demand in entropy generation and verification.
