Parallel encryption for multi-channel images based on an optical joint transform correlator

We propose an optical encryption method allowing the parallel encryption for multi-channel images based on a joint transform correlator (JTC). Distinguished from the conventional multi-image encryption methods, our proposed cryptosystem can encrypt multi-channel images simultaneously into a single ciphertext, which also can be used to recover arbitrary original images with corresponding keys. This method can achieve the compressed storage of ciphertext. In order to avoid the cross talk between multi-channel images, we restrict the respective joint power spectrum (JPS) into a specific area with optimized phase masks and split the multiple JPS by controlling the position of single JPS using the linear phase shifts. All of these operations are realized by optimizing and designing the phase masks which can be flexibly reconfigured on the spatial light modulator (SLM), leading to a feasible optical implementation with no increase of optical hardware and complexity. Computer simulations provide the validation for it. Experimental implementation is performed in a JTC-based cryptosystem to further verify the feasibility of our proposed method.