Multiple-image double-encryption via 2D rotations of a random phase mask with spatially incoherent illumination

Abstract

Optical image encryption technique has become extremely important in these years. However, most of the proposed multiple-image encryption systems are illuminated with coherent light source. Here we present a multiple-image double-encryption method with spatially incoherent illumination. The first-encryption of multiple images is based on the speckle rotation decorrelation property, and the second-encryption of images' order is based on the speckle shift decorrelation out of the angular memory-effect range. The double-encryption via two-dimensional rotations of the random phase mask enhances the security and keeps the simplicity of the cryptosystem. The capacity of the ciphertext is greatly increased by multiplexing, and further increased after crosstalk noise removal. The use of incoherent light source reduces the requirements for experimental conditions, and makes the cryptosystem easy to implement in various application scenarios.