Optical color image encryption based on an asymmetric cryptosystem in the Fresnel domain

In recent years, optical color image encryption has attracted much attention in the information security field. Some approaches, such as digital holography, have been proposed to encrypt color images, but the previously proposed methods are developed based on optical symmetric cryptographic strategies. In this paper, we apply an optical asymmetric cryptosystem for the color image encryption instead of conventional symmetric cryptosystems. A phase-truncated strategy is applied in the Fresnel domain, and multiple-wavelength and indexed image methods are further employed. The security of optical asymmetric cryptosystem is also analyzed during the decryption. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed optical asymmetric cryptosystem for color image encryption.

Research highlights
► Optical asymmetric cryptosystem is proposed for color image encryption.
► A phase-truncated strategy is applied in the Fresnel domain.
► Multiple-wavelength and indexed image methods are developed.
► A high security is achieved.