JP4843600B2 - Optical functional element and optical authentication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical functional element and an optical authentication system suitable for use in the field of authentication technology.

  In recent years, various portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, digital cameras, mobile phones, and portable game machines are widely used. Such portable electronic devices often use a secondary power source such as a battery pack as a power source, and can be used repeatedly by charging.

  By the way, such a secondary power supply generally uses a flammable organic solvent as an electrolytic solution therein. For this reason, manufacturers of various electronic devices and secondary power supplies must use secondary batteries as genuine products that are guaranteed various performances such as shock resistance and temperature resistance against genuine electronic devices. Although it is recommended to users, such secondary batteries as regular products are generally expensive, and some users may use non-genuine products such as cheap imitations. However, such non-genuine products may not be sufficiently guaranteed for various performances, and the organic solvent in the secondary battery volatilizes, which may lead to fire and explosion.

  For this reason, conventionally, when a secondary battery is mounted on an electronic device in order to prevent such a secondary battery as an unauthorized product from being used in an electronic device as an authorized product, the secondary battery is There has been proposed an authentication technique related to device authentication that provides a mechanism for discriminating whether a battery is genuine or non-genuine.

  For example, in the authentication system disclosed in Patent Document 1, an identification number is assigned to each battery pack or electronic device, and the battery pack or electronic device identification number is read and read by a charging device that charges the battery pack. The information regarding the identification number is transmitted from the charging device to the central management device via the communication line, and this central management device authenticates the identification number, and based on this, it is determined whether or not charging can be performed from the charging device to the battery pack. The

  Many authentication systems using electronic information such as a digital ID have been proposed in addition to Patent Document 1 (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4).

  In addition to the authentication technology related to device authentication, whether or not the person to be authenticated is authorized to use, view and enter these tools, documents, facilities, etc. A number of authentication techniques related to personal authentication for confirmation have been proposed. In such a personal authentication technique, a card device such as an ID card or a magnetic card or a physical device such as a key device used in an immobilizer system is attached to a reading device such as a card reader or keyhole corresponding to this, The identity verification is performed by causing the authentication device or the like to read the physical information of the person to be authenticated (biometric authentication) (see, for example, Patent Documents 5 and 6).

  For example, in the authentication system disclosed in Patent Document 5, when using an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), only when an ID card in which electronic information such as a personal identification number is recorded is requested and a correct ID card is recognized. It enables financial transaction processing by ATM.

  Further, in the authentication system disclosed in Patent Document 6, a unique code is stored in a key device inserted into a key cylinder, and when the key device is inserted into a key resin, the key device is verified by checking the unique code. Only when a proper key device is inserted, the lock by the key cylinder is released, and the car engine or the like can be driven.

JP 2004-222457 A JP 2006-331815 A JP 2006-128911 A JP 2005-151368 A JP 2007-164547 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-49352

  In this way, in modern society, in order to prevent unauthorized use of various devices by malicious third parties, various elements require authentication acts such as device authentication and personal authentication. As a result, the safety and brand value of these elements are maintained.

  However, in any case, the authentication system proposed above performs authentication by registering electronic information such as an ID card, a key device, and physical information in a reading device or the like and using the information. These electronic information have been prevented from leaking or tampering with encryption, etc., but in recent years, cryptanalysis technology has been improved along with encryption technology, and it has been difficult to ensure complete authentication. It was. For this reason, it is desired to propose an authentication system with excellent security based on a method different from the authentication system based on electronic information, which allows the use of non-genuine products and unauthorized use by malicious third parties. It has been desired to eliminate from the ground up.

  Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is excellent in security, which is different from authentication systems based on electronic information that has been proposed conventionally. An optical functional element and an optical authentication system capable of providing an authentication system are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present inventor, as described in claim 1 of the present application, puts a plurality of microstructures in the major axis direction in a flat plate-like first substrate having translucency. The first structure rows and the second structure rows formed with a predetermined interval are alternately arranged in an orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the major axis direction to constitute the first structure row. One long axis end of the first microstructure is adjacent to the other long axis end of the second microstructure constituting the second structure row, and the first microstructure The first long-axis end of the body is adjusted so as to be close to one long-axis end of the other second microstructure adjacent to the second microstructure in the long-axis direction. A plurality of microstructures are spaced apart from each other in the major axis direction within the polarizing element and a flat plate-like second substrate having translucency. When the formed structure rows are arranged in a plurality of rows and the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in contact or close to each other so as to be substantially parallel to each other, the inside of the second substrate The major axis ends of both of the microstructures in the first substrate are either one of the major axis ends of the first microstructure in the first substrate and from the one major axis end in the orthogonal direction. Invented an optical functional element comprising: a second polarizing element whose position is adjusted to be close to the other long axis end of the second microstructure that is close to any direction .

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the first structure in which a plurality of microstructures are formed at predetermined intervals in the major axis direction in a flat plate-like first substrate having translucency. One long axis end portion of the first microstructure constituting the first structure row, in which the rows and the second structure row are alternately arranged in an orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the long axis direction Is close to the other long-axis end of the second microstructure constituting the second structure row, and the other long-axis end of the first microstructure is the second A first polarizing element whose position is adjusted so as to be close to one long-axis end of another second microstructure adjacent to the long-axis direction of the micro-structure, and a plate-like shape having translucency A structure row in which a plurality of microstructures are formed at predetermined intervals in the major axis direction is arranged in a plurality of rows in the second substrate. When the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in contact or close to each other so as to be substantially parallel, both major axis ends of each microstructure in the second substrate are Any one of the long axis ends of the first microstructure in the first substrate, and the second microstructure close to any one of the orthogonal directions from the one long axis end The position is adjusted so as to be close to the other long axis end of the body, and the other long axis end of the first microstructure and the other long axis end to the other in the orthogonal direction. And a second polarizing element whose position is adjusted so as to be close to one long-axis end portion of the second microstructure that is close to the direction of the optical function element.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2 of the present application, the interval between the microstructures adjacent to each other in the major axis direction and the orthogonal direction in the first polarizing element is determined by irradiation. It is characterized by being arranged with an interval less than the diffraction limit with respect to the wavelength of the propagating light to be performed.

  An invention according to claim 4 of the present application is an optical authentication system, wherein the first device having the first polarizing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and claims 1 to 3. And the second device having the second polarizing element according to any one of the above, wherein the first device or the second device detects light emitted from the second polarizing element. It is characterized by having possible light detection means.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the invention according to claim 4 of the present application, wherein the first device or the second device includes a light irradiation means for irradiating light to the first polarizing element. It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the invention according to claim 4 or 5 of the present application, wherein the first device and the second device are configured to be detachable from each other, and one of the devices is the other device. The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in contact or close to each other so that the first substrate and the second substrate are substantially parallel to each other, and the major axis ends of both microstructures in the second substrate A first axial end of one of the first microstructures in the first substrate, and the second axially adjacent from one of the major axial ends in the orthogonal direction. The position is adjusted so as to be close to the other long axis end of the microstructure.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 7 of the present application, in the invention according to claim 6 of the present application, the light irradiating means causes one of the first device and the second device to be attached to the other device. In this case, the first polarizing element is configured to emit light.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first device is constituted by a battery pack, and the second device is the battery pack. The electronic device can supply power to the electronic device from the battery pack when the optical signal is received by the optical signal receiving means. It is characterized by comprising.

  In the optical functional element 1 to which the present invention is applied, the microstructure 22 in the second polarizing element 20 has a predetermined relative size and arrangement condition with respect to the microstructure 12 in the first polarizing element 10. Only slightly deviating from the conditions, a part of the charge distribution from a complicated charge portion generated in the microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10 when the first polarizing element 10 is irradiated with light. The light cannot be selectively extracted via the second polarizing element 20, and no propagating light is emitted from the second polarizing element 20. In other words, only when the correct “key” (second polarizing element) is arranged in the correct positional relationship and used with respect to the correct “keyhole” (first polarizing element), This means that propagating light is emitted through the “key” and “keyhole”. By using this, a physical authentication system using “key” and “keyhole” can be constructed.

  In the optical authentication system 3 to which the present invention is applied, each of the microstructures 12 and 22 of the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 corresponding to “key” and “keyhole” is several μm or less. Is a very minute structure of 1 μm or less. Therefore, in order to counterfeit, duplicate, etc. the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20, first, after measuring the shape and size of the microstructure in each polarizing element, It is necessary to arrange microstructures having a corresponding predetermined shape and size in the substrate, and technically very high accuracy is required. For this reason, it is considered that it is actually difficult to forge or duplicate one or both of the polarizing elements 10 and 20 after the pair of polarizing elements 10 and 20 having the right combination is manufactured. Therefore, the optical authentication system 3 using this optical functional element 1 is very excellent in security.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of an optical functional element to which the present invention is applied will be described.

  As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, the optical functional element 1 is composed of a pair of a first polarizing element 10 and a second polarizing element 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 in the present embodiment include a plurality of microstructures in the flat plate-like first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21. The bodies 12 and 22 are arranged based on a predetermined arrangement pattern. When the optical functional element 1 is in use, the optical functional element 1 is arranged in contact with or in close proximity so that the one surface side 11a of the first substrate 11 and the one surface side 21a of the second substrate 21 are substantially parallel. It is used by irradiating the other surface side 11b of the first substrate 11 with light as propagating light.

The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21 are translucent dielectrics, for example, borosilicate glass such as quartz glass and Pyrex (registered trademark), plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate and kapton, or CaF. ₂ , materialized by Si, ZnSe, Al ₂ O ₃ or the like.

  Although the shape of the 1st board | substrate 11 and the 2nd board | substrate 21 does not limit this, it is preferable that it is flat form. This is because if the surfaces of the first substrate 11 and the second 21 are curved, light incident on the surfaces is refracted and it becomes difficult to obtain a predetermined effect.

  The microstructures 12 and 22 may be any absorber that can excite electrons in the microstructures 12 and 22 when irradiated with light. For example, a metal such as Au, Ag, Pt, Cu, or Al, or It is embodied by an alloy of these metals. In addition, the microstructures 12 and 22 can be made of a dielectric whose polarization is excited on the surface thereof when irradiated with light.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the microstructures 12 and 22 in the present embodiment. The microstructures 12 and 22 in the present embodiment are formed in a flat plate shape as a whole, and are formed so that a cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to the height direction is a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. . The shape of the microstructures 12 and 22 is not limited to this, and the whole structure may be constituted by a whole structure such as a square bar shape or a round bar shape in addition to a flat plate shape. In addition, the cross-sectional shape in the plane perpendicular to the height direction may be a shape extending in at least one direction, and in addition to the substantially rectangular cross-section, the cross-sectional shape is composed of a substantially elliptical cross-section, a substantially rhombic cross-sectional shape, etc. Also good.

  The size of the microstructures 12 and 22 to which the present invention is applied can be expressed by a length L, a width d, and a height H. In the first polarizing element 10 to which the present invention is applied, it is necessary to generate near-field light with respect to the microstructure 12 as will be described later. Therefore, the length L, width d, The size of the height H is preferably 1 μm or less.

  When the microstructures 12 and 22 are arranged in the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21, it can be realized by applying various methods. For example, direct imprinting using electron beam lithography technology, batch exposure using DUV (deep ultraviolet) or EUV (deep ultraviolet) lithography technology, and nano-imprinting that presses with heat using a mold called mold Technology can be applied. Further, it is also possible to apply a technique in which material characteristics are changed by irradiating laser light to a phase change material or a transition metal oxide material, and etching is performed using a difference in etching grade.

  The microstructures 12 and 22 may be exposed in the air from the surfaces of the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21 or may be completely embedded.

  Such microstructures 12 and 22 are two-dimensionally arranged in substantially the same plane in the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21, and the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element. 20 and the arrangement pattern is different.

  First, the arrangement pattern of the microstructures 12 of the first polarizing element 10 will be described.

  In the first polarizing element 10, a plurality of microstructures 12 are arranged in the first substrate 11 with a predetermined interval in the major axis direction (hereinafter referred to as the X1 direction). The structure row 13 and the second structure row 14 are formed. The first structure rows 13 and the second structure bodies 14 are alternately arranged in an orthogonal direction (hereinafter referred to as the Y1 direction) substantially orthogonal to the X1 direction. The plurality of microstructures 12 are arranged in substantially the same plane as the plane formed by the X1 direction and the Y1 direction. Note that the first structure row 13 and the second structure row 14 here divide the structure row formed by the microstructures 12 arranged in a plurality of rows in the Y1 direction for each row. It is defined as one of the indicators.

  One long-axis end portion 12a of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 constitutes the second structure row 14 and one microstructure of the minute structures 12 adjacent to each other. The body 12 (the microstructure on the right side in the drawing) is disposed close to the other long axis end portion 12b (the long axis end portion on the left side in the drawing) in the Y1 direction. Further, the other long axis end portion 12b of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 constitutes the second structure row 14 and the other of the microstructures 12 adjacent to each other. The one of the long axis ends 12a (the long axis end on the right side in the drawing) of the microstructure 12 (the left side microstructure in the drawing) is disposed close to the Y1 direction. Each microstructure 12 in the first polarizing element 10 is configured to be adjusted so as to satisfy such a positional relationship. Note that the long-axis end portions 12a and 12b of the microstructure 12 referred to here are ends on both sides of the microstructure 12 in the long-axis direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, one of the long-axis end portions 12a of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 forms the second structure row 14 adjacent thereto. Although it is located on the right side in the figure relative to the other long axis end 12b of the body 12, it may be located on the left side in the figure. Similarly, the other long axis end portion 12a of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 is one long axis end constituting the second structure row 14 adjacent thereto. It may be located on the left side in the drawing or the right side in the drawing with respect to the portion 12b.

  Further, in the first polarizing element 10, the interval between the microstructures 12 adjacent to each other in the X1 direction and the Y1 direction is arranged with an interval less than the diffraction limit with respect to the wavelength of the propagating light to be irradiated. It is desirable. As a result, light as propagating light irradiated to the first polarizing element 10 is not transmitted as it is from the other surface side 11b of the first substrate 11 to the one surface side 11a, and the second polarizing element 20 On the other hand, only the light via the microstructure 12 in the first polarizing element 10 acts. It is more preferable that the interval between the microstructures 12 adjacent to each other in the X1 direction and the Y1 direction is configured to be ¼ of the wavelength of the propagation light to be irradiated.

  The first polarizing element 10 is configured to satisfy the arrangement condition of the microstructure 12 as described above. In the above-described example, the arrangement condition of the microstructures 12 between the first structure row 13 in one row and the second structure row 14 adjacent to the first structure row 13 in one direction in the Y1 direction. As described above, it is arranged so that the same arrangement condition is satisfied between the one row of first structure rows 13 and the row of second structure rows 14 adjacent in the opposite direction in the Y1 direction. Will be.

  Next, the arrangement pattern of the microstructures 22 of the second polarizing element 20 will be described.

  In the second polarizing element 20, a structure row 23 in which a plurality of microstructures 22 are formed at predetermined intervals in the major axis direction (hereinafter referred to as Y2 direction) is substantially in the major axis direction. They are arranged over a plurality of rows in an orthogonal direction (hereinafter referred to as X2 direction). The plurality of microstructures 22 are arranged in substantially the same plane as the plane formed by the X2 direction and the Y2 direction.

  The arrangement pattern of the microstructures 22 of the second polarizing element 20 is determined according to the arrangement pattern of the microstructures 12 of the first polarizing element 10. In FIG. 3C, the one surface side 11 a of the first substrate 11 in the first polarizing element 10 and the one surface side 21 a of the second substrate 21 in the second polarizing element 20 are arranged inside. It is a top view at the time of arrange | positioning contact arrangement | positioning or adjoining so that it may mutually become substantially parallel so that the microstructures 12 and 22 may satisfy | fill predetermined | prescribed positional relationship. In this case, the X1 direction and the Y1 direction in the first polarizing element 10 face substantially the same direction as the X2 direction and the Y2 direction in the second polarizing element 20, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 are disposed at predetermined positions, both sides of the microstructure 22 in the second polarizing element 20 in the Y2 direction. The long-axis end portions 22a and 22b of the first polarizing element 10 are the long-axis end portions 12a in the X1 direction of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10, and the first structure body. From one long-axis end portion 12a of the row 13 to the other long-axis end portion 12b in the X1 direction of the microstructures 12 constituting the second structure row 20 close to the upper side in the figure in the Y1 direction. They are arranged so as to be close to each other. Each microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 is thus arranged according to the position of the long axis end of each microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10. The position is adjusted at the time of production so as to satisfy the arrangement relationship. By satisfying such an arrangement relationship, as will be described later, the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 in the correct combination are arranged in the correct positional relationship, as will be described later. Is emitted from the second polarizing element 20.

  In addition, the arrangement | positioning relationship which each microstructure board 12 and 22 of the 1st polarizing element 10 and the 2nd polarizing element 20 should satisfy | fill is the long axis of the both sides of the Y2 direction of the microstructure 22 in the 2nd polarizing element 20. The end portions 22a and 22b are arranged from one long axis end portion in the X1 direction of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10, and from one long axis end portion thereof. What is necessary is just to arrange | position closely with respect to the other long-axis end part of the X1 direction of the microstructure 12 which comprises the 2nd structure body row | line | column 14 which adjoins in any direction of Y1 direction. That is, the possible arrangement of each microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 with respect to one microstructure 12 of the first structure row 13 in the first polarizing element 10 is the same as that in the first polarizing element 10. There are two types depending on which end portion of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 is arranged close to each other, and in which direction the second structure is located with respect to the first structure row 13 There are a total of four patterns depending on whether they are arranged close to the end of the microstructure 12 in the structure row 14. Each microstructure 22 in the second polarizing element 20 is arranged so as to satisfy any one of the four arrangement conditions. As long as one of the four arrangement conditions is satisfied, the structure row formed by the microstructures 22 in the second polarizing element 20 is not necessarily arranged periodically. Some of them may be omitted.

  A method of using the optical functional element 1 having such a configuration and an operation effect will be described.

  First, the one surface side 11a of the first polarizing element 10 and the one surface side 21a of the second polarizing element 20 are arranged so that the microstructures 12 and 22 arranged inside satisfy a predetermined positional relationship. Place in contact or close proximity. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3C, the long-axis ends 22 a and 22 b on both sides in the Y2 direction of the microstructure 22 in the second polarizing element 20 are the first structure of the first polarizing element 10. One of the long axis ends of the microstructures 12 constituting the body row 13 in the X1 direction, and the second structure row 14 adjacent to one of the long axis ends in any direction of the Y1 direction. Are arranged close to the other long-axis end portion in the X1 direction of the microstructure 12 constituting the.

  Next, the other surface side 11 b of the first polarizing element 10 is irradiated with light having linearly polarized light parallel to the X1 direction. This light is emitted from a predetermined light source. If the light source does not emit linearly polarized light, the light is irradiated by controlling the polarization component via the illumination optical system in a part of the light transmission path.

  In this case, on the basis of the interaction between the incident light and the free electrons in the microstructure 12, a current that oscillates in accordance with the incident light is generated along the major axis direction in the microstructure 12. As a result, a charge distribution as shown in FIG. 5A is generated on the surface of the microstructure 12. At the long axis ends 12a and 12b on both sides of the microstructure 12, charges having different polarities appear periodically.

  Here, based on the polarization of each microstructure 12, the vibration of the electric field component generated between each microstructure 12 is caused by the positive electrode of the charge distribution generated at the long axis ends 12 a and 12 b on both sides of each microstructure 12. Evaluation is made by a vector V1 (hereinafter referred to as a flow vector) connected to the negative electrode. This flow vector is equivalent to the electric dipole moment.

  In this case, for example, in the region S1 shown in FIG. 5A, the Y1 direction components of the flow vectors adjacent in the X1 direction are arranged in opposite directions. For this reason, in the region S1, a state similar to an electric quadrupole is formed by the Y1 direction component of the flow vector adjacent in the X1 direction. Such a state occurs in the entire structure rows 13 and 14, and on the emission side of the first polarizing element 10, the flow vectors adjacent to each other in the X1 direction cancel each other in the remote field region, and the polarization in the Y1 direction Propagation light having a component is not emitted.

  On the other hand, in the vicinity where the flow vector is generated, that is, in the near-field region, each flow vector is a vibration of the electric field component, so that the local electric field component of the Y1 direction component is radiated from these flow vectors. As a result, near-field light having a polarization component in the Y1 direction is generated.

  Here, in the present invention, one of the long axis end portions in the X1 direction of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10 and the one long axis end portion thereof. To the other major axis end in the X1 direction of the microstructures 12 constituting the second structure row 14 that are adjacent to each other in the Y1 direction to the microstructure in the second polarizing element 20 The long axis ends on both sides of the body 22 are adjusted so as to be close to each other. That is, the microstructures 22 in the second polarizing element 20 are arranged so as to overlap the region S2 in FIG. 5B, and are arranged in the vicinity of the flow vectors having substantially the same size and direction. Will be. As a result, only the electric field components having substantially the same magnitude and direction selectively act on the microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 from the complicated charge distribution generated in the first polarizing element 10. In each microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20, an oscillating current flows along the major axis direction, and a charge distribution as shown in FIG. 5C is generated on the surface of the microstructure 22. Become.

  Each microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 through which current flows based on near-field light generated in the first polarizing element 10 is similar to a dipole, as shown in FIG. Presents a condition. Since the microstructures 22 of the second polarizing element 20 are periodically arranged in the X2 direction and the Y2 direction, the emission side of the second polarizing element 20 is based on the dipole formed by each microstructure 22. In this case, propagating light having linearly polarized light parallel to the Y2 direction is emitted.

  As described above, in the second polarizing element 20, the microstructures 22 are arranged so as to selectively extract only electric field components having substantially the same size and direction from the complicated charge distribution generated in the first polarizing element 10. As a result, propagating light is emitted on the emission side.

  Incidentally, the microstructure 22 in the second substrate 21 of the second polarizing element 20 is not only in the region S2 shown in FIG. 5B, for example, in the region S3 as shown in FIG. 6A. They may be arranged so as to overlap each other.

  In this case, when the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 are arranged at predetermined positions, the long-axis end portions 22 on both sides of a part of the microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 are: One of the long axis ends 12a of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10, and one of the long axis ends 12a from the one long axis end 12a in the Y1 direction The position is adjusted so as to be close to the other long axis end portion 12b in the X1 direction of the microstructures 12 constituting the second structure row 14 that are close to each other (upward in the drawing). Further, the long axis end portions 22 on both sides of the remaining microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 are the other lengths of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10. One long axis of the microstructure 12 constituting the second structure row 14 that is close to the other end in the Y1 direction (downward in the drawing) from the shaft end 12b and the other long axis end 12b The position is adjusted so as to approach the end 12a.

  The microstructures 12 and 22 arranged inside the one surface side 21 of the second polarizing element 20 and the one surface side 11a of the first polarizing element 10 having such an arrangement pattern satisfy a predetermined positional relationship. 6 and is irradiated with light having linearly polarized light parallel to the X1 direction, a current oscillating along the major axis direction flows in the microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element, and FIG. The charge distribution as shown in b) appears.

  Here, the charge distribution generated in each microstructure 22 has the same polarity distribution state as shown in FIG. 6B. Therefore, the dipole formed by each microstructure 22 is the same. Accordingly, the propagation light having linearly polarized light parallel to the Y2 direction is emitted on the emission side of the second polarizing element 20.

  On the other hand, when the microstructures 22 in the second substrate 21 of the second polarizing element 20 are arranged so as to overlap with the region X1 as shown in FIG. Such an effect is not exhibited.

  That is, when the microstructures 22 of the second polarizing element 20 are arranged so as to overlap not only the region S2 but also the region X1, as in the region X3 shown in FIG. The charge distribution appearing in the adjacent microstructure 22 forms a situation similar to that of an electric quadrupole, and propagating light having linearly polarized light parallel to the Y2 direction is emitted from the emission side of the second polarizing element 20. Not.

  As described above, in the optical functional element 1, the microstructure 22 in the second polarizing element 20 has a predetermined size and arrangement condition with respect to the microstructure 12 in the first polarizing element 10. Only slightly deviate from the above, and when a light is irradiated to the first polarizing element 10, a part of the charge distribution is changed from the complicated charge portion generated in the microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10. The light cannot be selectively extracted via the second polarizing element 20, and no propagation light is emitted from the second polarizing element 20. In other words, only when the correct “key” (second polarizing element) is arranged in the correct positional relationship and used with respect to the correct “keyhole” (first polarizing element), This means that propagating light is emitted through the “key” and “keyhole”. By using this, a physical authentication system using “key” and “keyhole” can be constructed.

  In the authentication system using the optical functional element 1, for example, the second polarizing element 20 is embedded in a physical device such as an ID card or a key device, and the first polarizing element 10 is incorporated in the reading device of these physical devices. It is materialized by letting. In this case, only when the physical device that is the correct “key” is mounted in the reading device that is the “keyhole”, the reading device outputs light, and based on this, the reading device performs a predetermined operation. This makes it possible to authenticate the person.

  Further, as another authentication system using the optical functional element 1, for example, the second polarizing element 20 is installed in a battery pack, and the first polarizing element 10 is installed in an electronic device that operates with electric power of the battery pack. It is materialized also by making. In this case, only when the correct battery pack is attached to the correct electronic device, light is output from the second polarizing element 20, and based on this, the battery pack can supply power to the electronic device. Thus, device authentication is possible.

  By using the optical functional element 1 in this manner, various authentication systems using “keys” and “keyholes” can be constructed. Here, in the optical functional element 1, each of the microstructures 12 and 22 of the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 corresponding to “key” and “keyhole” is several μm or less, and in some cases, 1 μm. The following very minute structure. Therefore, in order to counterfeit, duplicate, etc. the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20, first, after measuring the shape and size of the microstructure in each polarizing element, It is necessary to arrange microstructures having a corresponding predetermined shape and size in the substrate, and technically very high accuracy is required. For this reason, it is considered that it is actually difficult to forge or duplicate one or both of the polarizing elements 10 and 20 after the pair of polarizing elements 10 and 20 having the right combination is manufactured. Therefore, the authentication system using this optical functional element 1 is very excellent in security.

  Incidentally, the near-field light generated in the first polarizing element 10 at the time of light irradiation is non-propagating light that clings to the surface of the microstructure 12 and is localized on the surface of the microstructure 12. It occurs in a region having a thickness t1 of the same size as the dimension. For this reason, in order for the near-field light oozed from the emission side of the first polarizing element 10 to act on the second polarizing element 20, the second field is generated within the region where the near-field light is generated. The microstructure 22 of the polarizing element 20 needs to be arranged close to each other. The space between the end of the microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10 and the end of the microstructure 12 of the second polarizing element 20 is not limited. For example, it is about 1 to 100 nm. Spaced.

  Next, the optical authentication system 3 using the above-described optical functional element 1 and the optical authentication system 3 capable of providing an authentication system such as device authentication or personal authentication will be described in detail.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the optical authentication system 3 to which the present invention is applied.

  The optical authentication system 3 to which the present invention is applied includes a first device 5 having a first polarizing element 10 and a second device 7 having a second polarizing element 20. In the case of the optical authentication system 3 for the purpose of device authentication, the first device 5 and the second device 7 are specified by a device in which one device transmits and receives power and electronic information to the other device. For example, it is embodied by a combination of a battery pack and an electronic device using the same, or a combination of an external storage device and an electronic device using the same. In the case of device authentication, the purpose is to check whether the other device used for one device that is a genuine product is a genuine device, and to prevent so-called impersonation of the other device. .

  In the case of the optical authentication system 3 for the purpose of personal authentication, one of the first device 5 and the second device 7 is embodied by a physical device such as a card or a key device, and the other device is It is embodied by a reading device or the like that reads this. In the case of personal authentication, a certified person who intends to use a specified device, document, facility, etc. uses a physical device such as a card to prove that he / she has authority to use, view and enter these devices. It is used for the purpose of doing.

  In the present embodiment, a battery pack 30 is applied as the first device 5, and an electronic apparatus 40 such as a mobile phone is applied as the second device 7, and this will be described as an example.

  The battery pack 30, which is the first device 5, is a power supply source for the electronic device 40, and supplies power to the electronic device 40 when it is attached to the electronic device 40.

  The electronic device 40 which is the second device 7 performs a predetermined operation based on the power supplied from the battery pack 30. In addition to the mobile phone, for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (Personal Digital Assistant) It is embodied by a digital camera, a portable game device, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the battery pack 30 is detachably attached to the lower back portion of the electronic device 40 as a mobile phone.

  The battery pack 30 includes a secondary battery 31, a pack-side power control unit 32, a pack-side positive terminal 36, a pack-side negative terminal 37, and an attaching / detaching mechanism 38.

  The electronic device 40 includes a main body side power supply control unit 41, a main body side positive terminal 45, and a main body side negative terminal 46.

  The secondary battery 31 is a voltage source and stores therein power supplied from a charger (not shown) or the like.

  The pack-side power supply control unit 32 includes a light irradiation unit 33, the first polarizing element 10, and an optical control system 35. When the battery pack 30 is mounted on the electronic device 40, the pack-side power supply control unit 32 detects the mounting and then irradiates the light irradiation unit 33 with light toward the first polarizing element 20. It is a notification.

  The light irradiation unit 33 is embodied by, for example, a laser diode or the like. When the battery pack 30 is mounted on the electronic device 40, the light irradiation unit 33 detects the notification from the control circuit 32 and then transmits light to the first polarizing element 20. Is irradiated.

  The illumination optical system 35 is capable of controlling the shape and polarization direction of the light emitted from the light irradiation unit 33, and the light whose polarization direction is controlled thereby is emitted to the first polarizing element 10. The Note that the light irradiation unit 33 or the illumination optical system 35 is controlled so that the first polarizing element 10 is irradiated with light having linearly polarized light parallel to the X1 direction in the first polarizing element 10. Become.

  The attachment / detachment mechanism 38 is a mechanism that allows the battery pack 30 and the electronic device 40 to be attached to and detached from each other, and any known attachment / detachment mechanism may be applied.

  The pack-side positive terminal 36 is connected to the positive electrode of the secondary battery 31, and is connected to the main body-side positive terminal 45 when the battery pack 30 is attached to the electronic device 40. The pack-side positive terminal 37 is connected to the negative electrode of the secondary battery 31, and is connected to the main body-side negative terminal 46 when the battery pack 30 is attached to the electronic device 40.

  The main body side power supply control unit 41 includes the second polarizing element 20, a light detection unit 43, and a switch switching circuit 44. When the light detection unit 43 detects the optical signal, the main body side power supply control unit 41 notifies the switch switching circuit 43 to switch on / off the switch SW1.

  The light detection unit 43 is embodied by various photodetectors such as photodiodes, and detects propagation light emitted through the second polarizing element 30. In the light detection unit 43, the light detection unit 43 is controlled so as to detect only light having linearly polarized light parallel to the Y2 direction in the second polarizing element 20, or only linearly polarized light parallel to the Y2 direction is detected. A polarizing plate or the like to be transmitted is used, and light transmitted through the polarizing plate is detected.

  When the battery pack 30 is attached to the electronic device 40, the one surface 11 a of the first substrate 11 in the first polarizing element 10 and the one surface of the second substrate 21 in the second polarizing element 20. The side 21 a is arranged in contact with or close to the side 21 a, and both major axis ends 22 a and 22 b in the major axis direction of the microstructure 22 in the second polarizing element 20 are the first structure of the first polarizing element 10. One long-axis end portion in the long-axis direction of the microstructures 12 constituting the row 13 and the second structure row 14 adjacent in any direction in the Y1 direction from the one long-axis end portion. It is preferable that the fine structure 12 is adjusted so that it is disposed close to the other long axis end portion in the long axis direction. In this case, the shapes and arrangement positions of the first substrate 11 and the second 12 of the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 are appropriately adjusted. This eliminates the need to adjust the positions of the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 after the battery pack 30 is mounted with the electronic device 40. Note that the microstructure 22 in the second substrate 21 in the above-described case has an arrangement pattern as shown in FIG. 5C, but the microstructure in the second substrate 21. Also in the case of an array pattern 22 as shown in FIG.

  The operation of the optical authentication system 3 configured as described above will be described.

  First, the battery pack 30 is attached to the electronic device 40 and arranged so that the microstructures 12 and 22 inside the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 are in a correct positional relationship. Note that the correct positional relationship here means that the long-axis end portions 22a and 22b of the microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 are the same as those of the microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10 as described above. It refers to a relationship that is arranged close to the end of the long axis. In this case, the pack-side positive terminal 36 and the pack-side negative terminal 37 are connected to the main body-side positive terminal 45 and the main body-side negative terminal 46, respectively. FIG. 9B shows an example in which the battery pack 30 is attached to a mobile phone which is an example of the electronic device 40.

  Next, the pack-side power supply control unit 32 detects that the battery pack 30 is mounted on the electronic device 40 and irradiates the light irradiation unit 33 with light toward the first polarizing element 20. Notice. Such a notification may be manually notified by an external switch or the like of the battery pack 30 or the like after the battery pack 30 is attached to the electronic device 40 without being automatically performed.

  The light irradiation unit 33 that has received the notification irradiates the first polarizing element 20 with light via the illumination optical system 35. Here, only when the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 are arranged in the correct positional relationship and in the correct combination, the light irradiated on the first polarizing element 10 It is radiated as propagating light from the exit side of the second polarizing element 20. And the propagation light radiated | emitted from the 2nd polarizing element 30 is detected by the photon detection part 43, switch SW1 is set to On via the switch switching circuit 44, and various elements of the electronic device 40 from the secondary battery 31, for example, Power is supplied to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a liquid crystal display, and the like.

  Thus, the optical authentication system 3 to which the present invention is applied outputs an optical signal from the second polarizing element 20 only when the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 in the correct combination are used. Accordingly, the electric power from the battery pack 30 is supplied to various elements of the electronic device 40 based on the output optical signal.

  In addition, the effect exhibited when the optical signal is output from the second polarizing element 20 is not limited to this, and when the optical signal is detected, various effects such as the battery pack 30 and the electronic device 40 are provided. It is controlled so that the function normally possessed by the device is expressed.

  In the above-described example, the optical authentication system 3 as an authentication system used for device authentication between the battery pack 30 and the electronic device 40 has been described, but when applied to an authentication system used for personal authentication, for example, It is used as follows.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the second polarizing element 20 is embedded in the authentication card 50 as the second device, and this is placed in the mobile phone 60 as the first device. The first polarizing element 10 is preliminarily provided in the interior. Then, when the authentication card 50 is mounted in the mobile phone 60, the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 are arranged in the correct positional relationship so that the first polarizing element 10 On the other hand, authentication is performed by irradiating light. In this case, only when the correct authentication card 50 is inserted, the optical signal is detected and the authentication is correctly performed. As a result, the mobile phone 60 can be used and various functions can be performed. Will be expressed.

  In addition, even if the light irradiation part 33 is the battery pack 30 which is a 1st device, it may be incorporated in any of the electronic devices 40 which are 2nd devices. Alternatively, the first polarizing element 10 may be housed in the electronic device 40 and the second polarizing element 20 may be housed in the battery pack 30. Moreover, you may make it the photon detection part 43 be equipped with the battery pack 30 which is a 1st device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the minimum configuration for functioning the optical authentication system 3 to which the present invention is applied, which includes the battery pack 30 and the electronic device 40, has been described. Of course, various means and mechanisms that the 40 has may be included. For example, the battery pack 30 may have a safety mechanism such as a protection circuit for preventing overcharge and overdischarge of the secondary battery 31 and a safety valve for preventing an internal short circuit due to deformation of the battery. The electronic device 40 is a CPU for controlling the entire electronic device 40, a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a work area used for storing and developing data, various controls embodied by operation buttons, a keyboard, and the like. This is embodied by an operation unit for inputting a command for display, a display control unit for controlling display of various types of information, a display unit as a monitor for actually displaying information output from the display control unit, a hard disk, etc. A storage unit for storing a program for performing a search to be executed, an internal path for connecting these, and the like may be provided.

  In FIG. 11A, the first polarizing element and the second polarizing element as Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 are arranged at predetermined positions, and propagating light is irradiated to these polarizing elements. In this case, the electric field strength ratio in the remote field region is shown. Invention Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5 are combinations of the first polarizing element and the second polarizing element as shown in FIG. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, only the first polarizing element and only the second polarizing element are arranged, respectively. In addition, the right column in FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a state after the first polarizing element and the second polarizing element are arranged at predetermined positions. Further, the arrangement pattern of the microstructures 12 and 22 shown in FIG. 11 (b) is merely schematically shown.

  In Example 1 of the present invention, both long-axis ends of the microstructures 22 of the second polarizing element 20 have one of the microstructures 12 constituting the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10. The first polarizing element shown in FIG. 3 is close to the long-axis end portion and the other long-axis end portion of the microstructure 12 constituting the second structure row 14 adjacent thereto. 10 and an arrangement pattern of microstructures 12 and 22 similar to those of the second polarizing element 20. Also, according to the second example of the present invention, the long axis ends on both sides of a part of the microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 form the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10. One long-axis end portion 12a of the body 12 and the other long-axis end portion of the microstructure constituting the second structure row 14 close to the one long-axis end portion 12a in the Y1 direction upward in the drawing. 12b, and the major axis end of the remaining microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 of the microstructure 12 constituting the first structure row 13 of the first polarizing element 10 The other long-axis end portion 12b, and the other long-axis end portion 12b and one long-axis end portion 12a of the microstructure 12 constituting the second structural body row 14 that is close to the Y1 direction downward in the figure. And a microstructure similar to the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 shown in FIG. And it has a sequence pattern of 2,22.

  In Comparative Example 3, the distance between the structure rows 23 in the X2 direction of the second polarizing element 20 of the inventive example 1 is about half, and the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 10 shown in FIG. This has the same arrangement pattern of the microstructures 12 and 22 as the polarizing element 20. In Comparative Example 4, the length in the Y2 direction of the microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 of Example 1 of the present invention is about three times. In Comparative Example 5, the interval between the structure rows 23 in the X2 direction of the second polarizing element 20 of Comparative Example 4 is approximately halved. Comparative Examples 1 to 5 are examples for explaining the effects of the present invention.

  As the microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10, a flat plate having a substantially rectangular cross section with a length R of 400 nm, a thickness d of 60 nm, and a height H of 200 nm was applied. The distance between two microstructures in each structure row was 200 nm, and the distance between each structure row was 240 nm. As the microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20, a rectangular bar-shaped member having a substantially rectangular cross section with a length R of 300 nm, a thickness d of 60 nm, and a height H of 60 nm was applied. In addition, a light source is installed at a location 500 nm away from the surface formed by the incident side surface of each microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10 toward the normal direction on the incident side, and the wavelength λ of the light source is set to 729 nm. . The material of the microstructures 12 and 22 was gold. In addition, the electric field strength in a region 2 μm apart from the surface formed by the exit side surface of each microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 toward the normal direction on the exit side was measured. Further, the surface interval between the surface formed by the exit side surface of each microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10 and the surface formed by the incident side surface of each microstructure 12 of the second polarizing element 20 is 10 nm. did. Further, linearly polarized light having a polarization component parallel to the X1 direction is incident on the first polarization element 10, and an electric field component having a polarization component parallel to the Y2 direction is detected on the output side of the second polarization element 20. did.

As a result, in the case of the combination of Invention Examples 1 and 2, the emission of propagating light having a stronger electric field strength was confirmed as compared with Comparative Examples 1 to 5. Example with the least electric field intensity ratio difference between the present invention Example 1 is a comparative example 2 is different 10 ⁵ times between the present invention Example 1. As a result, the relative size and arrangement conditions of the microstructures 12 and 22 of the first polarizing element 10 and the second polarizing element 20 may be slightly deviated from predetermined conditions, and light may not be output. confirmed. Further, it was confirmed that the electric field strength several times higher than that of Example 1 of the present invention was obtained by the combination of Example 2 of the present invention.

  FIG. 12A shows the emission of each microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10 after the first polarizing element and the second polarizing element, which are combinations of the first invention example, are arranged at predetermined positions. The electric field intensity ratio is shown when the surface formed by the side surface and the surface formed by the incident side surface of each microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 are displaced by a predetermined distance in the X direction or the Y direction. . As shown in this figure, as the displacement in the X direction and Y direction increases, the ratio of the electric field strength decreases, and as the size of the microstructures 12 and 22 increases, the ratio of the loss of electric field strength decreases. It was confirmed.

  FIG. 12B shows the emission of each microstructure 12 of the first polarizing element 10 after the first polarizing element and the second polarizing element, which are combinations of the first invention example, are arranged at predetermined positions. The electric field strength ratio is shown when the distance between the surface formed by the side surface and the surface formed by the incident side surface of each microstructure 22 of the second polarizing element 20 is displaced. As shown in this figure, it is confirmed that the electric field strength ratio decreases as the displacement between the surfaces increases, and that the ratio of the loss of electric field strength decreases as the size of the microstructures 12 and 22 increases. It was done. This is considered to be based on the hierarchy of near-field light generated in the first polarizing element 10.

It is a figure for demonstrating the optical functional element to which this invention is applied. (A) is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st polarizing element, (b) is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 2nd polarizing element. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of a 1st polarizing element, (b) is a top view which shows the structure of a 2nd polarizing element, (c) is a 1st polarizing element and 2nd polarization | polarized-light. It is a top view at the time of arrange | positioning an element in a predetermined position. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a microstructure. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of an optical function element. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement pattern of the microstructure which a 2nd polarizing element can take. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of an optical function element. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the optical authentication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure shown about the structure of the battery pack and electronic device to which an optical authentication system is applied. It is a figure shown about the structure of the card | curd for authentication and mobile phone to which an optical authentication system is applied. It is a figure which shows the electric field strength ratio at the time of changing the arrangement pattern of the microstructure of the 2nd polarizing element with respect to a 1st polarizing element. It is a figure which shows the electric field strength ratio at the time of changing the displacement of the 2nd polarizing element with respect to the position of a 1st polarizing element, and the space | interval between surfaces.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical functional element 3 Optical system 5 1st device 7 2nd device 10 1st polarizing element 11 1st board | substrate 11a One surface side 11b Other surface side 12 Micro structure 13 1st structure row | line | column 14 2nd Structure row 20 Second polarizing element 21 Second substrate 21a One side 21b Other side 22 Microstructure 23 Structure row 30 Battery pack 31 Secondary battery 32 Pack side power supply control unit 33 Light irradiation unit 34 Optical control system 36 pack side positive terminal 37 pack side negative terminal 38 attachment / detachment mechanism 40 electronic device 41 main body side power supply control unit 43 light detection unit 44 switch switching circuit 45 main body side positive terminal 46 main body side negative terminal 50 authentication card 60 mobile phone

Claims (8)

A first structure row and a second structure row in which a plurality of microstructures are formed at predetermined intervals in the major axis direction in a flat plate-like first substrate having translucency are the lengths described above. One long axis end portion of the first microstructures that are alternately arranged in the orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction and that constitutes the first structure row constitutes the second structure row. The other long axis end of the second microstructure is adjacent to the other long axis end of the second microstructure. A first polarizing element whose position is adjusted so as to be close to one end of the long axis of the other second microstructure;
In the flat plate-like second substrate having light transmissivity, a plurality of microstructural bodies, each having a plurality of microstructures formed at predetermined intervals in the major axis direction, are arranged in a plurality of rows, and the first When the substrate and the second substrate are arranged in contact or close to each other so as to be substantially parallel, both major axis ends of each microstructure in the second substrate are the first substrate. One of the long axis ends of the first microstructure and the other long axis end of the second microstructure close to any one of the orthogonal directions from the one long axis end And a second polarizing element whose position is adjusted so as to be close to the unit. A first structure row and a second structure row in which a plurality of microstructures are formed at predetermined intervals in the major axis direction in a flat plate-like first substrate having translucency are the lengths described above. One long axis end portion of the first microstructures that are alternately arranged in the orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction and that constitutes the first structure row constitutes the second structure row. The other long axis end of the second microstructure is adjacent to the other long axis end of the second microstructure. A first polarizing element whose position is adjusted so as to be close to one end of the long axis of the other second microstructure;
In the flat plate-like second substrate having light transmissivity, a plurality of microstructural bodies, each having a plurality of microstructures formed at predetermined intervals in the major axis direction, are arranged in a plurality of rows, and the first When the substrate and the second substrate are arranged in contact or close to each other so as to be substantially parallel, both major axis ends of each microstructure in the second substrate are the first substrate. The long axis end of one of the first microstructures and the other long axis of the second microstructure close to either one of the orthogonal directions from the long axis end The position is adjusted so as to be close to the end, and the other long-axis end of the first microstructure and the other long-axis end close to the other direction in the orthogonal direction. A second polarizing element whose position is adjusted so as to be close to one long axis end of the two microstructures. Optical functional device according to claim. In the first polarizing element, the interval between the microstructures close to each other in the major axis direction and the orthogonal direction is arranged with an interval less than the diffraction limit with respect to the wavelength of the propagating light to be irradiated. The optical functional element according to claim 1 or 2. A first device having the first polarizing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A second device having the second polarizing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The optical authentication system, wherein the first device or the second device further includes light detection means capable of detecting light emitted from the second polarizing element. The optical authentication system according to claim 4, wherein the first device or the second device has light irradiation means for irradiating the first polarizing element with light. The first device and the second device are configured to be detachable from each other. When one of the devices is attached to the other device, the first substrate and the second substrate are substantially parallel to each other. The major axis ends of both microstructures in the second substrate are arranged in contact or close to each other so that the length of either one of the first microstructures in the first substrate is The position is adjusted so as to be close to the shaft end and the other long-axis end of the second microstructure that is close to one of the long-axis ends in either of the orthogonal directions. 6. The optical authentication system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The light irradiation means is configured to irradiate light to the first polarizing element when any one of the first device and the second device is attached to the other device. The optical authentication system according to claim 6. The first device includes a battery pack,
The second device includes an electronic device that can supply power based on a voltage source from the battery pack,
8. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the electronic device is configured to be able to supply electric power from the battery pack to the electronic device when an optical signal is received by the optical signal receiving unit. The optical authentication system according to item.

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