Oscillator-based computer as a physical unclonable function
Phys. Rev. Applied 26, 044061 – Published 21 October, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4q4x-k35d
Abstract
The adaptive oscillator itself is capable of a type innate neuromorphic processing, as it can dynamically learn and store information about an external signal. When used as a physical reservoir computer, it has been demonstrated that the adaptive oscillator possesses both self-learning and the ability to be used as a multiplex-free morphable logic gate. In addition to these useful traits, the Duffing adaptive oscillator is also a physical unclonable function. Here, a bifurcation diagram is proposed as a novel challenge-response pair. Notably, since the bifurcation diagram is asymptotically approached by the oscillator’s dynamics, it is easily reproducible. Further, small changes to the oscillator’s parameters produce large changes to the bifurcation diagram, which makes it act as a “fingerprint” of the oscillator. From an applied perspective, this means that the Duffing adaptive oscillator could be implemented as a trusted artificial intelligence hardware device.
