Plastic-casting intrinsic-surface unique identifier (tag)

Technical Report · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/197861· OSTI ID:197861

Palm, R G; De Volpi, A

This report describes the development of an authenticated intrinsic-surf ace tagging method for unique- identification of controlled items. Although developed for control of items limited by an arms control treaty, this method has other potential applications to keep track of critical or high-value items. Each tag (unique-identifier) consists of the intrinsic, microscopic surface topography of a small designated area on a controlled item. It is implemented by making a baseline plastic casting of the designated tag area and usually placing a cover (for example, a bar-code label) over this area to protect the surface from environmental alteration. The plastic casting is returned to a laboratory and prepared for high-resolution scanning electron microscope imaging. Several images are digitized and stored for use as a standard for authentication of castings taken during future inspections. Authentication is determined by numerically comparing digital images. Commercially available hardware and software are used for this tag. Tag parameters are optimized, so unique casting images are obtained from original surfaces, and images obtained from attempted duplicate surfaces are detected. This optimization uses the modulation transfer function, a first principle of image analysis, to determine the parameters. Surface duplication experiments confirmed the optimization.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 197861
• Report Number(s): ANL/ACTV--94/1; ON: DE96006108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
CASTING
DESIGN
GYPSUM CEMENTS
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SECURITY