Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Litton Systems, Inc.

Lawrence E Bean

George A Pavlath

Eric Lee Goldner

Michael L Bean

The present invention relates generally to an integrated optics encryption device. The preferred embodiment of the invention is an integrated optics encryption device comprising a coherent light source connected to a multi-functional integrated optics chip (MIOC). The MIOC comprises two divergent paths with mirrored ends. The MIOC also has an encrypted message output. One path is connected to a message signal input that can alter the refractive index of the path. The other path is connected to a key signal input that can alter the refractive index of the other path.

Integrated optics encryption device

A system and method for optically generating random numbers in a chaotic manner using an optical random number generator. The optical random number generator includes an optical interferometer having a chaotic output which is dependent upon temperature fluctuations in its surrounding micro-environment. The interferometer receives light from a light source, splits the received light between a pair of temperature-sensitive optical paths, and interferes the split light traveling on the pair of optical paths to generate an output signal. The power of the interferometer output signal is measured and compared with a threshold value in order to generate a random number based on the measured interferometer output power. Chaotic behavior in the interferometer output power is achieved by making the interferometer phase shift extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations, where small changes in the temperature of the interferometer microenvironment will alter the output power of the interferometer.

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Lake Forest, CA, United States of America

Lawrence E Bean