Quantum Secure PUF Authentication via Wavefront Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication systems relying on physically unclonable functions (PUFs) face security vulnerabilities when the properties of the PUF are publicly known, making them susceptible to emulation by intelligent attackers, and require trusted remote reader devices for verification.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for verifying challenge-response pairs using a wave source with particle characteristics, such as coherent light, that creates and verifies responses without direct readout, employing wavefront shaping and response verifying means to ensure quantum security without relying on fragile quantum states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If PUF properties are made publicly known for verification purposes, then authentication convenience is improved, but security against emulation attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a quantum entangled state between the verifier and PUF before authentication. This preliminary quantum connection ensures that when verification occurs, the quantum correlations can detect any emulation attempts, allowing public knowledge of PUF properties without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces quantum entangled photons as an intermediary between the verifier and PUF. These photons mediate the authentication process by carrying quantum correlations that cannot be replicated by emulators, thus maintaining security even when PUF properties are publicly known.
2Reliability
If quantum states are used for secure authentication, then security against emulation is improved, but system complexity and fragility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly manipulating fragile quantum states at the PUF, the system creates a quantum copy (entangled state) at the verifier that correlates with the PUF. This allows quantum security without requiring the PUF itself to handle complex quantum states, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct quantum mechanical manipulation of PUF states with an optical interference-based verification system. The quantum entangled photons interact with the PUF through classical optical paths, substituting complex quantum control with simpler optical measurement techniques.
3Speed
If direct readout of PUF response is used, then verification speed is improved, but vulnerability to intelligent attacker emulation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses quantum entangled photons to create a feedback mechanism where the verifier receives quantum correlations that confirm the authenticity of the PUF response in real-time. This immediate quantum feedback enables fast verification while preventing emulation, as emulators cannot replicate the quantum correlations.
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
The solution provides a quantum secure authentication system that can distinguish between a real PUF and its emulation, ensuring secure verification without needing to trust the remote reader device and maintaining security even when PUF properties are publicly known.
Implementation Method 1
an optical PUF with a combined sensor and display. It applies light which is scattered by a light scattering element comprising a transmissive material which contains randomly distributed light scattering particles which scatter incident light
Implementation Method 2
The number of interaction particles, in particular photons, in the challenge is less than the number of parameters needed to fully describe the setting of the challenge creating means
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a quantum secure device, system and method for verifying challenge-response pairs using a physically unclonable function (PUF). Exemplarily, a device for verifying challenge-response pairs comprises: a wave source, in particular a light source; a challenge creating means for creating a challenge, in particular an optical challenge, to be sent to a PUF, in particular when receiving signals from the wave source; a response verifying means for verifying a response, in particular an optical response, from a PUF; and a detector for reading out the result of the verification carried out by the response verifying means. Preferably, the number of interaction particles, in particular photons, in the challenge is less than the number of parameters needed to fully describe the setting of the challenge creating means. According to a preferred embodiment, the challenge creating means and/or the response verifying means are/is adapted to carry out wavefront shaping on provided light.