Programmable Optical Encryption Based on Electrical-Field-Controlled Exciton-Trion Transitions in Monolayer WS₂

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Materials Science
• Information Security

Background:

• Conventional optical encryption methods lack dynamic and programmable capabilities.
• Rapid advancements in information technology necessitate more sophisticated encryption solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a programmable optical encryption approach using novel metal-oxide-semiconductor devices.
• To demonstrate real-time encryption and decryption of digital information and visual data.

Main Methods:

• Utilized tungsten disulfide (WS2)/silicon dioxide (SiO2)/gold (Au) metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices.
• Leveraged electrical-field-controlled exciton-trion transitions in monolayer WS2 for optical modulation.
• Achieved up to 25% reflection amplitude modulation depth.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated successful real-time encryption of ASCII codes and visual images at the pixel level.
• Exciton-related modulation ensures information fidelity.
• Decryption based on near excitonic resonance provides robust security.

Conclusions:

• The developed MOS devices offer a promising solution for low-cost, low-energy, and easily integrated programmable optical encryption.
• The approach achieves high security and dynamic control for advanced information protection.