Real-time terahertz meta-cryptography using polarization-multiplexed graphene-based computer-generated holograms

Abstract

As one of the cutting-edge technologies in advanced information science, wave-based cryptography is a prerequisite to enable a plethora of secure encrypting platforms which can be realized by smart multiplexing techniques together with suitable metasurface holograms (meta-holograms). Here, relying on the polarization multiplicity and re-writability of a computer-generated meta-hologram, a fully secure communication protocol is elaborately developed at the terahertz spectrum to host unique merits for exploring real-time metasurface-based cryptography (meta-cryptography) where highly restricted access of information is imposed. The proposed meta-cryptography exploits two dynamic near-field channels of a meta-hologram whose information can be instantaneously re-written without any polarization rotation and with high contrast and acceptable frequency bandwidth. The computer-generated meta-hologram is constructed based on the weighted Gerchberg–Saxton algorithm via a two-dimensional array of vertical graphene strips whose anisotropic reflection is merely determined by external biasing conditions. Several illustrative examples have been presented to demonstrate the perfect secrecy and polarization cross-talk of the proposed meta-cryptography. Numerical simulations corroborate well our theoretical predictions. As the first demonstration of dynamic THz meta-cryptography, the meta-hologram information channels can be deciphered into manifold customized messages which would be instrumental in data storage systems offering far higher data rates than electronic encryption can deliver.