Reliable internal fingerprint detection using micro-optical coherence tomography

Fingerprint recognition is a method commonly utilized for both personal identification and security control in practice. Based mainly on 2D surface topography analysis, however, most of the existing methods are prone to both spoofing attacks and fingertip surface conditions. To address such issues, we report on an internal fingerprint detection method based on the papillary layer anatomical structures using a lab-built optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, which achieves a resolution of 2.3 µm and ∼7.81 µm in axial and lateral directions, respectively. Specifically, to facilitate the fingerprint identification process, a simple image processing method based on the papillary layer anatomical analysis for OCT image contrast enhancement is also proposed. In vivo experiments are carried out to verify the system imaging capability and the effectiveness of the proposed contrast-enhancement mechanism in different cases. Results show that the system together with the image processing method is capable of providing reliable internal fingerprint imaging for identification purpose. The main factors that limit the practical applications of the OCT system for fingerprint identification are also discussed.