In this paper we present a fiber-optic sensing system designed to verify the identity of objects or personnel. The spectrum of a fiber-optic Bragg grating can store information, which can then be accessed simply by examining the reflection spectrum of the grating. Typically, fiber- optic Bragg grating sensors measure perturbations in the spectrum of the grating caused by the environment. However, spectral information can also distinguish various Bragg gratings, a principle that is used to wavelength division multiplex limited numbers of Bragg gratings sensors. Going one step further, a very large number of gratings can be distinguished by their spectra. In this paper, we present the experimental validation of a system capable of distinguishing over 1000 sensor heads. The fiber-optic Bragg gratings can be thought of as keys, or ID cards, that can be read by a detector to limit access to secure information or places. The system can readily expand to provide the capability of distinguishing over a million keys. In addition, the keys can also function as sensors.
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