Quantum Tunnelling Barrier Fingerprints for Secure Device Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securely authenticating devices, especially in online environments, face challenges such as high power consumption, vulnerability to invasive attacks, and difficulty in scaling down due to reliance on classical physics-based Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs).
Innovation Solution
The use of a quantum tunnelling barrier to generate a unique identifier for a device by applying a potential difference and measuring the tunnelling current, which is invariant to environmental factors and difficult to tamper with, allowing for reliable device authentication even at the nanoscale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic keys are stored in non-volatile memory (EEPROM or battery backed SRAM), then secure authentication is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to invasive attacks and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts manufacturing variability, which is typically a harmful factor causing device inconsistency, into a beneficial unique identifier for each device. By measuring the gate leakage current that arises from quantum tunneling through the gate oxide, the system extracts a unique fingerprint from the very variations that make devices non-identical, thereby securing authentication without requiring stored cryptographic keys
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical storage system (non-volatile memory containing cryptographic keys) with a quantum mechanical measurement system. Instead of storing secrets in EEPROM or SRAM, the system uses quantum tunneling effects in the gate oxide to generate unique identifiers, substituting a physical storage mechanism with a quantum measurement-based identification mechanism that is inherently resistant to invasive attacks
2Reliability
If classical physics-based PUFs are used for device identification, then unique device fingerprinting is achieved, but scaling down to smaller devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter regime from classical to quantum by exploiting quantum tunneling effects. By measuring gate leakage current that results from quantum tunneling through the gate oxide barrier, the system achieves device identification that is inherently scaled to nanoscale dimensions, overcoming the limitation of classical PUFs that rely on macroscopic physical structures
3Reliability
If cryptographic operations are performed for secure communication, then authentication security is improved, but power consumption and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service identification mechanism where the device's unique quantum tunneling characteristics automatically provide the authentication identifier. No active cryptographic operations, key management, or complex processing is required—the device's physical quantum properties directly generate the unique identifier, eliminating the need for power-intensive cryptographic computations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a robust and secure method for device authentication that is resistant to environmental changes and tampering, enabling secure communication and data transactions while scaling down to smaller device sizes.
Implementation Method 1
applying a potential difference across the quantum tunnelling barrier, the potential difference sufficient to enable tunnelling of charge carriers through the quantum tunnelling barrier
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for determining a unique identifier of a device, the device including a quantum tunnelling barrier unique to the device. The method comprises applying a potential difference across the quantrum tunnelling barrier, the potential difference sufficient to enable tunnelling barrier. The method further comprises measuring an electrical signal, the electrical signal representative of a tunnelling current through the quantrum tunnelling barrier. The method further comprises determining, from the measured electrical signal, a unique identifier for the device. Related apparatuses, systems, computer-readable media and methods are also provided herein.