Optical image encryption with photo-thermoelectric device.

Optical image encryption technology has garnered significant attention in the field of information security due to its low power consumption, parallel processing capability, high speed, and efficiency, as well as its multi-dimensional data handling potential. However, the development of current optical image encryption technology is constrained by complex and bulky optomechanical systems or limited optical processing capacity. In this paper, we propose an integrated circuits-compatible image encryption technique with ultrabroad communication waveband using a neural network-assisted photo-thermoelectric detector. The optical images are directly encoded into electrical signals, which are decrypted in the artificial neural network through pre-learning and training without any optical modulation. Intriguingly, our optical image encryption system exhibits a multi-waveband encoding capability spanning from the visible to the mid-wave infrared range, encompassing an essential atmospheric communication window. Along with robustness, stability, anti-interference capabilities, and sensitivity, our optical cryptosystem holds great potential for integrated circuit-compatible and secure communication applications in space.