Quality of images decrypted from in-line holographic encryption of images

We investigate quality of images decrypted from in-line holograms recorded with a random phase mask placed behind an input image. High- and low-contrast fingerprint images are used as test scenes. The simulation results show that due to multiple convolution processes and a limitation of the CCD sensor resolution, quality of decrypted images is sensitive to spatial separations between the input image, the phase mask and the hologram. We propose a new method for improving quality of decrypted images by using background noise removal. It is found that in comparison with high-contrast input, the low-contrast image is more robust to distortion caused by the encryption–decryption process.