Image authentication with exclusive-OR operated optical vortices

Optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum have drawn much attention because they provide highdimensional 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. (c) 2024 Optica Publishing Group