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 method of deriving information from an optically readable security element, comprising: optically reading the optically readable security element, the optically readable security element comprising at least one optically readable structure, optically readable in response to excitation of the optically readable structure; the reading comprising determining data indicative of an optical property of the optically readable security element using first emission electromagnetic radiation, emitted in response to excitation of the optically readable structure; the deriving information further comprising using the determined data indicative of an optical property, in combination with a temporal excitation-emission relationship related to the optically readable structure, to derive the information.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making an optically readable element, the method comprising: providing one or more optically readable structures in or on a body, a strain being applied to the one or more optically readable structures as a result of an interaction between the body and the one or more optically readable structures; the one or more optically readable structures each having an intrinsic band structure prior to application of the strain, and wherein the applied strain changes that intrinsic band structure; and wherein the interaction is such that the strain is maintained, after the element has been made, without the need for an external influence.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of deriving information from an optically readable security element, the method comprising: optically reading the optically readable security element, the optically readable security element comprising one or more optically readable structures, optically readable in response to excitation of the one or more optically readable structures, the one or more optically readable structures being arranged to interact with one or more proximal structures of the optically readable security element, the interaction being such that an excitation-emission relationship for the one or more optically readable structures interacting with the one or more proximal structures, is different to an excitation-emission relationship for the one or more optically readable structures and the one or more proximal structures in isolation; the reading comprising: determining data indicative of an optical property of the optically readable security element using first

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: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for generating a nondeterministic 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 a structure of the plurality, by facilitating an electrical measurement of an output of the structure; the nondeterministic response being derivable from the electrical measurement.

Abstract: An authentication device (20) comprises one or more flakes of a substantially two-dimensional material (14). The one or more flakes of the substantially two-dimensional material (14) have an operative area configured to emit, by non-resonant photoluminescence, electromagnetic radiation with a property that varies with position in the operative area.

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.