Differential sensing approaches for scattering-based holographic encryption

Abstract We develop a new scattering-based framework for the holographic encryption of analog and digital signals. The proposed methodology, termed ‘differential sensing’, involves encryption of a wavefield image by means of two hard-to-guess, complex and random scattering media, namely, a background and a total (background plus scatterer) medium. Unlike prior developments in this area, not one but two scattering media are adopted for scrambling of the probing wavefields (as encoded, e.g. in a suitable ciphertext hologram) and, consequently, this method offers enhanced security. In addition, while prior works have addressed methods based on physical imaging in the encryption phase followed by computational imaging in the decryption stage, we examine the complementary modality wherein encryption is done computationally while decryption is done analogically, i.e. via the materialization of the required physical imaging system comprising the ciphertext hologram and the two unique (background and total) media. The practical feasibility of the proposed differential sensing approach is examined with the help of computer simulations incorporating multiple scattering. The advantages of this method relative to the conventional single-medium approach are discussed for both analog and digital signals. The paper also develops algorithms for the required in situ holography as well as a new wavefield-nulling-based approach for scattering-based encryption with envisioned applications in real-time customer validation and secure communication.