Apparatus, systems, and methods for beta decay based true random number generator

Disclosed herein is a true random number generator (TRNG). The TRNG includes an enclosure defining a cavity and a cap covering the cavity and having a cap surface exposed to the cavity, the cap surface including radioactive nickel. An electronic sensor within a cavity detects electrons from the decay of the nickel and produces a signal for the detected energy. An amplifier is connected to the sensor and is constructed to amplify the signal and then feeds the signal to a filter. A processor connected to the filter generates a true random number based on the signal. This TRNG may be formed on an integrated circuit.