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Journal of the Optical Society of America A

Image authentication with exclusive-OR operated optical vortices

Rahul Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Naveen Kumar Nishchal, Ayman Alfalou

Published May 29, 2024• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum have drawn much attention because they provide high-dimensional encoding. Employing an array of optical vortices, we demonstrate an authentication verification system. For security authentication, an exclusive-OR logic operation has been implemented employing a light beam consisting of an array of vortices. A liquid crystal spatial light modulator has been used to generate orthogonal states of optical vortices. The proposed technique can provide a secure method of authentication with straightforward implementation. We have presented simulation and experimental results to verify the proposed scheme.

DOI
10.1364/josaa.527399

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Optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum have drawn much attention because they provide high-dimensional encoding. Employing an array of optical vortices, we demonstrate an authentication verification system. For security authentication, an exclusive-OR logic operation has been implemented employing a light beam consisting of an array of vortices. A liquid crystal spatial light modulator has been used to generate orthogonal states of optical vortices. The proposed technique can provide a secure method of authentication with straightforward implementation. We have presented simulation and experimental results to verify the proposed scheme.
In recent years, optical information processing has become increasingly important due to its ability to handle large amounts of data efficiently. Amplitude, phase, spatial frequency, wavelength, and polarization are the physical dimensions used for information encoding into the light beam. Information encoding using orbital angular momentum (OAM) carried by a vortex beam is gaining interest in this regard. Such beams provide high-dimensional orthogonal states for encoding and have shown more stability in turbulent media than Gaussian beams, especially in the case of free space propagation. This study demonstrates an image encryption method utilizing an array of OAM light modes. The approach uses a non-interferometric intensity recording-based encoding scheme, which offers ease of implementation. Quick response codes have been utilized for encoding to avoid information loss from non-uniform distribution of light and aberrations. The encryption scheme is highly secure because the encrypted light beam contains only partial information about the object, preventing complete information retrieval without proper key information.
Structured light carrying optical vortices have gained significant attention in information security as they offer high-dimensional orthogonal states for encoding. These states are usually associated with the orbital angular momentum of light. In this letter, we demonstrate a novel method for binary image encryption using structured phase encoding. The structured phase is obtained by multiple lattices of spatially distributed phase singularity points with varying azimuthal indices. It has been shown that data encoding using orthogonal sets of optical vortex modes enable noise-free decryption and provide robustness against atmospheric turbulence in short propagation distance.
We propose a novel optical information encryption and authentication scheme that uses asymmetric keys generated by the phase-truncation approach and the phase-retrieval algorithm. Multiple images bonded with random phase masks are Fourier transformed, and obtained spectra are amplitude- and phase-truncated. The phase-truncated spectra are encoded into a single random intensity image using the phase-retrieval algorithm. Unlike most of the authentication schemes, in this study, only one encrypted reference image is required for verification of multiple secured images. The conventional double random phase encoding and correlation techniques are employed for authentication verification. Computer simulation results and theoretical explanation prove the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
High-dimensional quantum computing has emerged as a recent alternative to conventional qubit-based approaches, offering advantages such as an increased information density and enhanced robustness against noise. In this work, we explore the use of the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light as a degree of freedom in which high-dimensional quantum gates can be implemented. We present a theoretical and experimental study of structured light beams carrying OAM, with emphasis on Laguerre–Gauss modes, as a natural basis for high-dimensional quantum computing. We then describe the generation of OAM beams using computer-generated holograms and spatial light modulators, detailing practical methods for encoding arbitrary phase profiles. Building on this framework, we analyze the implementation of high-dimensional quantum logic gates, focusing on the generalized Pauli Z_d and X_d operations. Optical setups based on Dove prisms, Sagnac interferometers, spiral phase plates, and parity sorters are proposed and theoretically validated. Finally, we report experimental results demonstrating the generation of Laguerre–Gauss beams, the transformation properties of Dove prisms, and the operation of a parity sorter, which constitutes a building block for realizing high-dimensional quantum gates. These results establish a solid foundation for future implementations of high-dimensional quantum information processing using the orbital angular momentum of light.
Vortex beams (VBs) shift keying is a digital communication technique that encodes data by rapidly switching or shifting the orbital angular momentum (OAM) state of a light beam, improving the performance of free-space optical communication. However, current VB-based shift keying secure systems still face several issues, such as limited capacity, the need for model retraining during key renewal and in some cases, vulnerability to ciphertext-only or known-plaintext attacks. In this article, we address these critical challenges by integrating VB array, phase encoding, spatial coherence modulation and deep learning techniques. By utilizing 9 spatial channels each with 16-ary phase differences in the proof-of-principle experiments, the information content carried by a single symbol reach 36 bits. Moreover, a double-encryption transmission scheme is proposed, leveraging the coherence structure and spatial reading trajectory of the VB array. This method has been experimentally verified to provide ultra-high security at the physical layer, effectively resisting both ciphertext-only and known-plaintext attacks. The corresponding bit error rates and pixel error rates can highly reach at least 3.7 × 10−1 and 8.6 × 10−1, respectively. Our work offers the potential for next generation VB-array-based high security FSO communication. Vortex-beam-based shift keying secure systems enhance secure digital communications, while it faces challenges such as limited capacity and vulnerability to attacks. This paper presents a double encryption scheme leveraging coherent structures and spatial reading trajectories whichenables key updates without retraining, and maintains high security.