Multilayer relaxor ferroelectric polymer stacks as data transmitter for real-time and programmable infrared information encryption

TL;DR

A new method for secure infrared data transmission uses a polymer stack to enable real-time encryption and decryption.

Contribution

A multilayer relaxor ferroelectric polymer stack is developed for real-time and programmable infrared encryption.

Findings

An 8-layer RFP stack generates a rectangular temperature wave when an electric field is applied.

The stack's temperature rapidly increases and remains elevated for over 8 seconds under specific electric field conditions.

The system enables real-time and programmable IR encryption due to rapid electrocaloric effects.

Abstract

Infrared information encryption is an emerging technique that leverages infrared (IR) radiation for secure data transmission. However, current IR encryption strategies fail to achieve real-time and precise data transmission, increasing the risk of information leakage. Here, utilizing a bistable adhesion polymer as a transfer medium, a multilayer relaxor ferroelectric polymer (RFP) stack is fabricated without additional thermal loads. An 8-layer RFP stack generates a rectangular temperature wave upon the application of an electric field. Its temperature rapidly increases from 22.1 °C to 26.3 °C and remains above 26 °C for over 8 s under an applied electric field of 80 MV/m at 0.01 Hz. Due to the instantaneous electrocaloric effects (temperature change rate up to10-8 s/K) upon voltage application, the stack enables a real-time and programmable IR information encryption and decryption strategy. This approach highlights the potential of IR-based communication for secure data transmission, with applications in confidential messaging and optical encryption systems.

Infrared information encryption is a promising technique for data transmission, though current strategies fail to transmit data in real-time. Here the authors report a multilayer relaxor ferroelectric polymer stack which exhibits rectangular temperature wave for real-time and programmable encryption.

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