Twin physically unclonable functions based on aligned carbon nanotube arrays

Physically unclonable functions (PUFs) are a promising technology for generating cryptographic primitives using random imperfections in physical entity. However, the keys inside PUFs still vulnerable as they must be written into non-volatile memories and shared with participants that do not hold PUF before secure communication. Here we show pairs of identical (twin PUFs) can fabricated together on an aligned carbon nanotube array used communication without key pre-extraction storage. Two rows field-effect transistors perpendicular to growth direction, randomly producing three types transistor channel—based metallic nanotubes, semiconducting nanotubes no nanotubes—that extract ternary bits use key. The twin exhibit high uniformity, uniqueness, randomness reliability, well consistency approximately 95%. We separated provide bit error rate one per trillion via fault-tolerant design. A pair direction create twinned physically