Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for generating a unique response to a challenge, the device comprising: a plurality of structures, each structure being able to change from a first distinct state, to a second distinct state, in response to an appropriate input challenge; the device being arranged to facilitate a challenge of the plurality of structures in combination, by changing an input to the plurality of structures in combination, to cause each structure of the plurality of structures to change from the first distinct state, to the second distinct state; as part of the challenge, the device being arranged to facilitate a measurement of an output of the plurality of structures in combination, in response to the input; wherein the unique response is at least indicative of a sequence in which the change in state takes place for each of the plurality of structures, in response to the input.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for generating a unique response to a challenge, the device comprising: a plurality of structures, each structure being able to change from a first distinct state, to a second distinct state, in response to an appropriate input challenge; the device being arranged to facilitate a challenge of the plurality of structures in combination, by changing an input to the plurality of structures in combination, to cause each structure of the plurality of structures to change from the first distinct state, to the second distinct state; as part of the challenge, the device being arranged to facilitate a measurement of an output of the plurality of structures in combination, in response to the input; wherein the unique response is at least indicative of a sequence in which the change in state takes place for each of the plurality of structures, in response to the input.

Abstract: A physically unclonable function (PUF) device 1 capable of exhibiting a unique quantum mechanical effect as a result of quantum mechanical confinement exhibited by the device 1. The device 1 comprises a group IV semiconductor heterostructure. The group IV semiconductor heterostructure may comprise Silicon/Germanium. The device 1 may comprise a group IV semiconductor resonant tunnelling diode (RTD). A Si-integrated circuit, method, use, and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for generating a unique response to a challenge, the device comprising: a plurality of structures, each structure exhibiting quantum mechanical confinement, and each structure being arranged to provide a unique response when challenged with an electrical measurement, the unique response being linked to the atomic makeup of the structure that defines the quantum mechanical confinement; the device being arranged to facilitate a challenge of at least two structures of the plurality in electrical combination to generate the unique response, by facilitating an electrical measurement of an output of the at least two structures of the plurality in electrical combination; the unique response being derivable from the electrical measurement.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining a unique identifier for a security element, the method comprising: optically reading the security element, the security element comprising a number of emitters that are each capable of exhibiting a different emission response to excitation of the number of emitters; the reading comprising determining data indicative of an optical property of the security element using first emission electromagnetic radiation, emitted in response to first excitation of the number of emitters, and determining data indicative of an optical property of the security element using second emission electromagnetic radiation, emitted in response to second, different, excitation of the number of emitters; and the unique identifier being determined from a map of a variation in determined data indicative of an optical property with respect to the excitation of the number of emitters.

Abstract: A device for generating a nondeterministic response to a challenge, the device comprising: a structure that exhibits a nondeterministic electrical output response to an electrical input, the device being arranged to facilitate a challenge of the structure to generate the nondeterministic response, by facilitating an electrical measurement of an output of the structure, the nondeterministic response being derivable from that measurement.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining a unique identifier for a security element, the method comprising: optically reading the security element via a configurable optical filter system, a readable optical transmission property of the filter system varying with respect to a configuration of the filter system; the reading comprising determining data indicative of an optical property of the security element at a first configuration of the filter system, and determining data indicative of an optical property of the security element at a second, different, configuration of the filter system; and the unique identifier being determined from a map of the variation in determined data indicative of an optical property with respect to the configuration of the filter system, wherein the reading is undertaken for multiple locations across the security element at the or each configuration of the filter system, such that the map is a map of the variation in determine

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, therein is provided a method of determining or generating a unique identifier for a device, the device exhibiting quantum mechanical confinement, the method comprising: measuring a unique quantum mechanical effect of the device that results from the quantum mechanical confinement; and using the measurement to determine or generate the unique identifier.

Abstract: Unique Identifier According to a first aspect of the present invention, therein is provided a method of determining or generating a unique identifier for a device, the device exhibiting quantum mechanical confinement, the method comprising: measuring a unique quantum mechanical effect of the device that results from the quantum mechanical confinement; and using the measurement to determine or generate the unique identifier.