Quantum Computing Research Archive

Automatically collected papers, preprints, and technical writing on quantum computing.

4701 entries · updated 08 Sep 2026 11:22 UTC RSS

February 2024

Show HN: Quantum Coin Flip - The most random coin flip on the internet

A Show HN web demo generates coin flips by running a single-qubit superposition-and-measure circuit on IBM's quantum hardware, presenting the outcomes as hardware-derived random bits. It is framed as an educational primer on quantum randomness versus classical pseudorandom generation, with cryptography cited as the motivating use case.

Why it matters: Useful as a teaching artifact for demonstrating cloud access to real quantum hardware, but it contributes no new capability — measured qubit outcomes carry device noise and bias, and certified randomness requires protocols well beyond a single Hadamard.

Software & toolingCryptography & post-quantumoverview
Original abstract

Hey HN!<p>I&#x27;ve created a quantum coin flip demo leveraging IBM&#x27;s quantum computing tech to explore true randomness. It&#x27;s a primer on into how quantum mechanics can solve classical computing&#x27;s randomness limitations, crucial for cryptography and secure systems. Would love your thoughts on its application and quantum computing&#x27;s future role in tech!