Optical Physically Unclonable Function Based on Electrospun Fluorescent Random Fibrous Media

Abstract

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are unique cryptographic mechanisms derived from non-deterministic random variables introduced during their fabrication process. PUFs have garnered significant interest in recent years, especially in combating counterfeit activities and ensuring privacy and confidentiality of sensitive information. Among the different categories of PUFs, those exploiting optical principles have gained prominence due to inherent benefits like high entropy, complex output patterns, and strong resistance against modeling and replication-based attacks. The use of random lasers provides an especially attractive aspect of optical-based PUFs that distinguishes it from conventional laser-based PUFs systems. This emission is a phenomenon of Anderson light localization, which occurs when light undergoes intense scattering within a disordered medium. However, the fabrication of large-scale random media that can induce random lasing remains a formidable challenge due to economic viability. In this study, we propose an innovative solution by capitalizing on electrospinning. We demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating an optical PUF device that incorporates random lasing properties using this method and investigate its potential use in security applications.