Digital holographic security system based on random phase encoded reference beams and fingerprint identification

In this paper, we implement a first practical digital holographic security system that combines digital holographic memory with the electrical biometrics. Digital input data including a document, a picture of face, and a fingerprint are spatially multiplexed by random phase mask used for a decryption key. This encrypted hologram cannot be seen under the normal lighting nor reproduced by devices such as copiers or CCD camera. In addition to, we propose a recording pattern and its image processing suitable for a low cost reader and the achieved raw BER of the system is around 3.6 x 10(-4) For decryption process, a bit-error-detection method that compares the digital bit of the live fingerprint with the digital bit of the fingerprint extracted from hologram is used. Therefore, this system can remove danger of unauthorized use. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.