Optical color image encryption based on Arnold transform and interference method

In this paper, we propose a novel method to encrypt a color image based on Arnold transform (ART) and interference method. A color image is decomposed into three independent channels, i.e., red, green and blue, and each channel is then encrypted into two random phase masks based on the ART and interference method. Light sources with corresponding wavelengths are used to illuminate the retrieved phase-only masks during image decryption. The influence of security parameters on decrypted images is also analyzed. Numerical simulation results are presented to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.