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We numerically study a new hardware method for network authentication, using a pair of chaotic lasers subject to the same optical injection from a third chaotic laser, in a close-loop configuration. One laser is in the secure environment, the other is in the unsecure environment, and if their parameters are matched (i.e., they are 'twins'), in suitable operating conditions they synchronize and generate the same pseudo-random amplitude modulation. Access to the secure environment is authorized only if the two responses are found equal. As in other schemes based on Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs), security relies on unavoidable small differences between nominally identical but physically separate devices: due to the strong sensitivity of chaos to laser parameter dispersion, finding a suitable laser to synchronize is a very difficult task for the Adversary, while the laser of the Authorized user can be selected as a twin of the one in the secure environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we numerically evaluate private data transmission using a three-laser scheme, consisting of a pair of twin semiconductor lasers, driven to chaos by delayed optical feedback in a short cavity, and optically injected by a third chaotic laser which forces them to synchronize. This laser is selected with different internal parameters with respect to the twin pair, so that the emissions of the synchronized, matched lasers, are highly correlated, whereas their correlation with the driver is low. The digital message modulates the emission of the transmitter, as in a standard Chaos Modulation scheme. Message recovery is then obtained by subtracting, from the transmitted chaos-masked message, the chaos, locally generated by the synchronized receiver laser. Simulations have been performed with the Lang-Kobayashi model, and, in view of application to private transmission, we have investigated the effect of the parameter mismatch, between transmitter and receiver, on message recovery. A preliminary experimental evaluation has been also performed using specially designed InP integrated modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]