A low-cost laser scanning system could help in the fight against document and ID fraud, according to its developers at Imperial College London.
The Laser Surface Authentication (LSA) system scans tiny surface variations of paper, plastic, metal and ceramics to detect the material's "fingerprint".
The system then records the naturally occurring pattern of imperfections.
The imperfections are so minute, say the scientists, that they are virtually impossible to replicate.
"A unique 'fingerprint' is formed by microscopic surface imperfections on almost all paper documents, plastic cards and product packaging," explained Professor Russell Cowburn, professor of nanotechnology at Imperial College, London.
"That is what makes it possible to develop a much cheaper method to combat fraud because this inherent identity code is virtually impossible to modify. It can easily be read using a low-cost portable laser scanner."
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BBC News
