# 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.

## Key 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.