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

Optical encryption is receiving much attention with the rapid growth of information technology. Conventional optical encryption usually relies on specific configurations, such as metasurface-based holograms and structure colors, not meeting the requirements of increasing dynamic and programmable encryption. Here, we report a programmable optical encryption approach using WS₂/SiO₂/Au metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, which is based on the electrical-field-controlled exciton-trion transitions in monolayer WS₂. The modulation depth of the MOS device reflection amplitude up to 25% related to the excitons ensures the fidelity of information, and the decryption based on the near excitonic resonance assures security. With such devices, we successfully demonstrate their applications in real-time encryption of ASCII codes and visual images. For the latter, it can be implemented at the pixel level. The strategy shows significant potential for low-cost, low-energy-consumption, easily integrated, and high-security programmable optical encryptions.