Fraunhofer researchers developing compact retinal scanner

Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS have developed a prototype of a compact retinal scanner that can be used on the go for biometric identification.

As it currently stands, retinal scanning devices are too large for mobile use. For things like conducting bank transactions, paying at the supermarket, or unlocking your car, the size of current scanning devices is too cumbersome, so researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have developed a small retinal scanning prototype that would enable such usage. The researchers housed the device’s optical components—which include an infrared laser, ocular and MEMS-scanning mirror—inside a case that is about 12 x 9 x 6 cm in size.

The infrared laser is used to make targeted scans of the retina and the silicon-based microelectronic components defect the laser beam and allow the built-in optical instruments to capture an image of the retinal surface from the reflected beams. Like a fingerprint, the captured image of a retina is unique to each individual human being, which enables it to be used as a unique identifier.

The mobile authentication via retina scanner, or MARS, device is still being developed by Fraunhofer researchers, with the hopes of making the device even smaller than the current iteration. The MARS device prototype will be showcased at the Optatec international trade show for optical technologies from May 20-22 in Frankfurt.

View the press release.

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