Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)

Time-Domain Physical Unclonable Functions Using Ring Resonators

Lars van der Hoeven, Daan Stellinga, D. J. de Ruiter, Matthias C. Velsink, Pepijn W. H. Pinkse

Published Jun 23, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We introduce time-domain physical unclonable functions (tPUFs) using photonic ring resonator networks, fabricated on a silicon nitride platform. These tPUFs demonstrate complex spectro-temporal behavior, enabling their use in secure, remote authentication schemes. Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) offer an alternative to conventional hash functions by leveraging the intrinsic randomness of physical structures [1], [2]. Optical PUFs have historically been realized using strongly scattering media [3], [4]. We introduce time-domain PUFs (tPUFs) that employ temporal scrambling, allowing for read-out over a single spatial mode. This allows integration into existing infrastructure, such as telecom fibers and satellite links.

DOI
10.1109/cleo/europe-eqec65582.2025.11110704

Related papers

Time Domain Physical Unclonable Functions in Silicon Nitride Ring Resonator Networks

Himadri Sahoo, D. J. de Ruiter, Lars van der Hoeven +3 more

Time-domain physical unclonable functions (tPUFs) implemented in silicon nitride ring resonator networks exploit unavoidable manufacturing variations leading to spectro-temporal scrambling for fiber-based single-mode readout. We validate unclonability through correlation metrics across mirrored networks, demonstrate stability against thermal drift, and realize an analog tPEAC protocol and observed a peak pulse at one output channel. These results establish tPUFs as compact, robust photonic tokens for secure, remote authentication.

IEEE Photonics Conference•Nov 9, 2025•1 citation

Integrated Time-Domain Physical Unclonable Functions for Secure Authentication

Himadri Sahoo, Daan de Ruiter, Lars van der Hoeven +3 more

We demonstrate integrated time-domain physical unclonable functions (tPUFs) using ring resonators. Their unclonability and secure communication via single-mode optical readout are experimentally validated, offering robust, compact solutions for authentication and asymmetric cryptography.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2025•0 citations

Quantum-Secure Physical Unclonable Function enabled by Silicon Photonics Integrated Circuits

G. Sarantoglou, N. Tzekas, G. Moustakas +8 more

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are hardware security primitives whose inherent physical complexity can be exploited for secure authentication and cryptographic key generation. Silicon photonic devices, owing to their suitability for quantum and artificial intelligence applications alongside standard CMOS fabrication processes, constitute a highly promising substrate for integrated multifunctional PUFs. Despite the advanced security guarantees offered by quantum cryptographic protocols and the central role of silicon photonics in quantum technologies, quantum readout strategies based on single-photon states for photonic PUFs remain largely unexplored. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a silicon nitride (SiN) programmable photonic Mach Zehnder interferometer mesh that implements a unitary transformation and operates as a PUF, whose secret physical signature arises from uncontrollable waveguide variations during fabrication. Using experimentally derived parameters from the SiN integrated mesh, we further introduce and numerically evaluate a quantum readout protocol that combines single-photon states with PUFs. Maximally mixed quantum states are employed to conceal the underlying unitary transformation from passive eavesdropping. Security against adversaries possessing devices fabricated under similar conditions is assessed, with authentication performance quantified through Monte Carlo analysis of the false acceptance and false rejection rates as a function of the number of detected events and corrected errors. The results indicate exceptional performance with equal error rates as low as 10 to the minus 14, highlighting the potential of quantum secure PUFs for high security authentication applications.

physics.opticsCross-listedarXiv:2605.14959•May 15, 2026•0 citations

Ring resonator networks as physical unclonable keys

Lars van der Hoeven, Matthijs Velsink, Daan Stellinga +1 more

We propose an integrated network of ring resonators on a silicon-nitride chip for use as an all-optical single-spatial-mode physical unclonable key, enabling secret-free optical authentication with standard communication channels such as telecom fibres.

Optica Advanced Photonics Congress•Jan 1, 2022•3 citations

Physical Realization of a Hyper Unclonable Function

Sara Nocentini, Ulrich Rührmair, Mauro Barni +2 more

Disordered photonic structures are promising materials for the realization of physical unclonable functions (PUF), physical objects that can overcome the limitations of conventional digital security methods and that enable cryptographic protocols immune against attacks by future quantum computers. One PUF limitation, so far, has been that their physical configuration is either fixed or can only be permanently modified, and hence allowing only one token per device. We show that it is possible to overcome this limitation by creating a reconfigurable structure made by light-transformable polymers, in which the physical structure of the unclonable function itself can be reversibly reconfigured. We term this novel concept Hyper PUF or HPUF in that it allows a large number of physical unclonable functions to co-exist simultaneously within one and the same device. The physical transformation of the structure is done all-optically in a reversible and spatially controlled fashion. Our novel technology provides a massive enhancement in security generating more complex keys containing a larger amount of information. At the same time, it allows for new applications, for example serving multiple clients on a single encryption device and the practical implementation of quantum secure authentication of data.

arXiv:2301.02147•Dec 23, 2022•1 citation

Physical Unclonable Functions based on random gratings

Frédéric Monet, Anthony Roberge, Raman Kashyap

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are hardware-based unique and irreproducible keys that can be used for authentication and encryption. We show that robustly secure PUFs can be easily manufactured by inscribing random gratings in optical fibers.

Optica Advanced Photonics Congress•Jan 1, 2022•0 citations
We introduce time-domain physical unclonable functions (tPUFs) using photonic ring resonator networks, fabricated on a silicon nitride platform. These tPUFs demonstrate complex spectro-temporal behavior, enabling their use in secure, remote authentication schemes. Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) offer an alternative to conventional hash functions by leveraging the intrinsic randomness of physical structures [1], [2]. Optical PUFs have historically been realized using strongly scattering media [3], [4]. We introduce time-domain PUFs (tPUFs) that employ temporal scrambling, allowing for read-out over a single spatial mode. This allows integration into existing infrastructure, such as telecom fibers and satellite links.
Time-domain physical unclonable functions (tPUFs) implemented in silicon nitride ring resonator networks exploit unavoidable manufacturing variations leading to spectro-temporal scrambling for fiber-based single-mode readout. We validate unclonability through correlation metrics across mirrored networks, demonstrate stability against thermal drift, and realize an analog tPEAC protocol and observed a peak pulse at one output channel. These results establish tPUFs as compact, robust photonic tokens for secure, remote authentication.
Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are hardware security primitives whose inherent physical complexity can be exploited for secure authentication and cryptographic key generation. Silicon photonic devices, owing to their suitability for quantum and artificial intelligence applications alongside standard CMOS fabrication processes, constitute a highly promising substrate for integrated multifunctional PUFs. Despite the advanced security guarantees offered by quantum cryptographic protocols and the central role of silicon photonics in quantum technologies, quantum readout strategies based on single-photon states for photonic PUFs remain largely unexplored. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a silicon nitride (SiN) programmable photonic Mach Zehnder interferometer mesh that implements a unitary transformation and operates as a PUF, whose secret physical signature arises from uncontrollable waveguide variations during fabrication. Using experimentally derived parameters from the SiN integrated mesh, we further introduce and numerically evaluate a quantum readout protocol that combines single-photon states with PUFs. Maximally mixed quantum states are employed to conceal the underlying unitary transformation from passive eavesdropping. Security against adversaries possessing devices fabricated under similar conditions is assessed, with authentication performance quantified through Monte Carlo analysis of the false acceptance and false rejection rates as a function of the number of detected events and corrected errors. The results indicate exceptional performance with equal error rates as low as 10 to the minus 14, highlighting the potential of quantum secure PUFs for high security authentication applications.
Disordered photonic structures are promising materials for the realization of physical unclonable functions (PUF), physical objects that can overcome the limitations of conventional digital security methods and that enable cryptographic protocols immune against attacks by future quantum computers. One PUF limitation, so far, has been that their physical configuration is either fixed or can only be permanently modified, and hence allowing only one token per device. We show that it is possible to overcome this limitation by creating a reconfigurable structure made by light-transformable polymers, in which the physical structure of the unclonable function itself can be reversibly reconfigured. We term this novel concept Hyper PUF or HPUF in that it allows a large number of physical unclonable functions to co-exist simultaneously within one and the same device. The physical transformation of the structure is done all-optically in a reversible and spatially controlled fashion. Our novel technology provides a massive enhancement in security generating more complex keys containing a larger amount of information. At the same time, it allows for new applications, for example serving multiple clients on a single encryption device and the practical implementation of quantum secure authentication of data.