Improved algorithm for image encryption based on stochastic geometric moiré and its application

• Published in: Optics communications 2007-05, Vol.273 (2), p.370-378
• Main Authors: Ragulskis, Minvydas, Aleksa, Algiment, Saunoriene, Loreta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Image encryption; Image reconstruction; tomography; Imaging and optical processing; Moiré grating; Optics; Physics; Reflectance map; Speckle and moire patterns
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2007.01.055

A technique based on optical operations on moiré patterns for image encryption and decryption is developed. In this method, an image is encrypted by a stochastic geometric moiré pattern deformed according to the image reflectance map. The decryption is performed using pixel correlation algorithm in the encrypted image and the stochastic geometrical moiré pattern. The proposed technique has a number of advantages over existing encryption techniques based on moiré gratings. No original moiré grating can be reconstructed only from the encrypted image. Stochastic moiré grating can be deformed in any direction what is an important factor of encryption security. Finally, the quality of the decrypted image is much better compared to decryption methods based on the superposition of the regular and deformed moiré gratings. The proposed technique has a great potential, because the process is performed using computational algorithms based on optical operations and optical components are avoided.