Abstract: The present invention can provide an apparatus operable to determine a signature from an article arranged in a reading volume. The apparatus can comprise a generator operable to generate and sequentially direct a focussed noncoherent beam onto each of a plurality of different regions of the reading volume; a detector arrangement operable to collect a set comprising groups of data points from signals obtained when the beam scatters from the different regions of the reading volume, wherein different ones of the groups of data points relate to scatter from the respective different regions of the reading volume; and a data acquisition and processing module operable to determine a signature of the article from the set of groups of data points.

Abstract: The present invention can provide an apparatus operable to determine a signature from an article arranged in a reading volume. The apparatus can comprise a generator operable to generate and sequentially direct a focussed noncoherent beam onto each of a plurality of different regions of the reading volume; a detector arrangement operable to collect a set comprising groups of data points from signals obtained when the beam scatters from the different regions of the reading volume, wherein different ones of the groups of data points relate to scatter from the respective different regions of the reading volume; and a data acquisition and processing module operable to determine a signature of the article from the set of groups of data points.

Abstract: A method of creating a signature for an article can be provided. The method can comprise illuminating regions of the article sequentially by light at non-normal incidence and detecting light reflected from the surface of each region of the article. The method can further comprise processing signals representative of the reflected light from each region, the signals being indicative of a surface roughness of the region, to determine a signature for the article.

Abstract: An apparatus may be provided for determining a signature from an article in a reading volume of the apparatus. The apparatus can comprise a source operable to generate a coherent beam and a beam directing member operable to direct the coherent beam into the reading volume. The apparatus may also comprise a detector arrangement for collecting signals created by scatter of the coherent beam within the reading volume, wherein different ones of the signals relate to scatter from different parts of the reading volume, the detector arrangement having a numerical aperture greater than a predetermined minimum and a processor operable to determine a signature for an article in the reading volume from the collected signals. Use of such apparatus can be repeated whenever required to test authenticity of the article.