Graphene-based physically unclonable functions that are reconfigurable and resilient to machine learning attacks

Graphene has a range of properties that makes it suitable for building devices for the Internet of Things. However, the deployment of such devices will also likely require the development of suitable graphene-based hardware security primitives. Here we report a physically unclonable function (PUF) that exploits disorders in the carrier transport of graphene field-effect transistors. The Dirac voltage, Dirac conductance and carrier mobility values of a large population of graphene field-effect transistors follow Gaussian random distributions, which allow the devices to be used as a PUF. The resulting PUF is resilient to machine learning attacks based on predictive regression models and generative adversarial neural networks. The PUF is also reconfigurable without any physical intervention and/or integration of additional hardware components due to the memristive properties of graphene. Furthermore, we show that the PUF can operate with ultralow power and is scalable, stable over time and reliable against variations in temperature and supply voltage. Disorder in the charge carrier transport of graphene-based field-effect transistors can be used to construct physically unclonable functions that are secure and can withstand advanced computational attacks.

Automated summary

Graphene has properties suitable for Internet of Things devices, but deployment may require developing graphene-based hardware security primitives. A physically unclonable function (PUF) using disorder in graphene field-effect transistors' carrier transport can resist machine learning attacks and be reconfigurable without physical intervention. The PUF operates with ultralow power, is scalable, stable over time, reliable against temperature and voltage variations, and can withstand advanced computational attacks.