Reviewed by Lexie CornerApr 9 2025
A study led by researchers from Télécom Paris and the Politecnico di Milano explores the use of chaos-based encryption for secure and fast communication in hostile environments.
Photo of the photonic chip made. Image Credit: Politecnico di Milano
A new optical receiver is being developed to restore chaotic signals in free-space optical links that are distorted by atmospheric turbulence. This receiver uses a system of optical micro-antennas embedded in a programmable photonic chip to react in real time, ensuring signal integrity under challenging atmospheric conditions.
The concept behind chaos-based communication involves encoding a secret message into a light signal that appears complex and erratic, making it nearly impossible to interpret. However, when these signals are transmitted through the air, atmospheric turbulence can distort the signal, compromising its security.
This study offers a solution: the new receiver design incorporates optical micro-antennas that act as "smart eyes," capturing light from multiple angles. The photonic chip self-calibrates in real time to reconstruct the fragmented signal into a reliable and secure chaotic message.
The results demonstrate that even under challenging weather conditions such as rain, wind, or pollution, the signal can be fully recovered.
Chaos is a robust system, but can only be used in cryptosystems if its inherent nature is fully preserved. Atmospheric turbulence degrades the optical signal and apparently destroys the properties of chaos, making it hard to maintain secure and reliable communications. With our approach, we're not just mitigating the effects of turbulence, we're completely restoring the chaos of light in all its intrinsic complexity.
Sara Zaminga, Study Author and PhD Student, LTCI Télécom Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Andrés Martínez from the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering at the Politecnico di Milano and co-author of the study, explained, “What makes this solution really special is its ability to adapt in real-time. Our receiver automatically adjusts to changes in the amount of turbulence, ensuring a stable and secure channel of communication without the need for manual interference.”
The significance of this innovation lies in its ability to overcome a long-standing challenge. Chaos-based systems offer inherent security due to their unpredictable nature, but atmospheric turbulence has previously hindered the effectiveness of optical wireless communications.
This advancement has far-reaching implications. It offers a reliable method for securely transmitting confidential information even in harsh environmental conditions.
In remote areas or emergency zones, places where traditional networks fail, a chaos-based, turbulence-resistant system could provide a secure connection when it's most needed.
Francesco Morichetti, Head, Photonic Devices Lab, Politecnico di Milano
The study was funded by the NextGenerationEU National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the partnership on “Telecommunications of the Future” (PE00000001 — “RESTART” program, the “Rigoletto” Structural Project, and the “HePIC” Targeted Project), the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (FA8655-22-1-7032), and the Chair in Photonics. The project also involved Polifab, the Politecnico di Milano's micro and nanofabrication facility.
Journal Reference:
Zaminga, S. et al. (2025) Optical chaotic signal recovery in turbulent environments using a programmable optical processor Light: Science & Applications. doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01784-3