Double image encryption based on linear blend operation and random phase encoding in fractional Fourier domain

A novel method for double image encryption is proposed by using linear blend operation and double-random phase encoding (DRPE) in the fractional Fourier domain. In the linear blend operation, a random orthogonal matrix is defined to linearly recombined pixel values of two original images. The resultant blended images are employed to constitute a complex-valued image, which is encrypted into an encrypted image with stationary white distribution by the DRPE in the fractional Fourier domain. The primitive images can be exactly recovered by applying correct keys with fractional orders, random phase masks and random angle function that is used in linear blend operation. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed scheme has considerably high security level and certain robustness against data loss and noise disturbance. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.