Identification Key Based on Optical Variable Nanostructures

In recent years, the electronics component industry has seen a rise of counterfeit components which recognized as severe threats for the security of cyber-physical systems. To authenticate and verify original devices and manufacturers, an identification key based on optical variable nanostructures (OVNs) is introduced in this article. Traditionally, a serial number (with barcode) or RFID (Radio-frequency identification device) technology have been the base of the identification keys used in secure authentication. An identification key based on a pixelated nano-substrate and a versatile intensity control layer (ICL) is introduced in this article. Proposed key is hard to replicate, provides secure authentication with a personalized encryption layer, and can be machine readable (e.g. camera, reader) and/or visually inspected. Primary fabrication and experimental results are demonstrated in this paper.