Time-programmable coloration via 3D metastructures for optical encryption

Optical information encryption technology, with its advantages such as high-dimensional encryption characteristics and resistance to quantum computing decryption, has demonstrated unique application value in fields like military, communication, and commercial confidential information protection. However, current optical encryption technologies still face challenges such as limited information capacity and security protection bottlenecks due to discrete state switching mechanisms, as well as potential risks of information residual leakage. Here, we propose a continuously tunable time-programmable coloration encryption strategy enabled by three-dimensional metastructures, featuring wide color gamut spectral continuous tuning through the control of the environmental refractive index. Moreover, by innovatively inducing irreversible collapse of nanopillars through capillary forces, the encryption carrier is endowed with physical self-destruction characteristics, thereby enabling “burn after reading” of the encrypted information. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated time-programmable information encryption and self-destruction after reading within a single device, enabled by continuous spectral modulation across the visible wavelength range. This technology provides an innovative solution for dynamic response in information encryption and secure information destruction, showing significant application potential in high-security scenarios such as military confidential transmissions and high-end commercial anti-counterfeiting. © The Author(s) 2026.