Simple optical encryption and decryption strategy based on bilayer soft actuator and laser-induced structural color.

Abstract

Advanced encryption and decryption strategies are of great significance for information protection and data security. Visual optical information encryption and decryption technology plays an important role in the field of information security. However, the current optical information encryption technologies have shortcomings such as the need for external decryption equipment, the inability to read out repeatedly, and information leakage, which hinder their practical application. By combining the excellent thermal response characteristics of the MXene-isocyanate propyl triethoxy silane (IPTS)/polyethylene (PE) bilayer and the structural color generated from the laser fabricated biomimetic structural color surface, an approach of encrypt, decrypt, and transmit information has been proposed. The microgroove-induced structural color is attached to the MXene-IPTS/PE bilayer to form a colored soft actuator (CSA) to realize information encryption and decryption, and information transmission. Benefiting from the unique photon-thermal response of the bilayer actuator and the precise spectrum response of the microgroove-induced structural color, the information encryption and decryption system has the advantages of being simple and reliable, which has the potential application in the field of optical information security.