A device for authentication, which is capable of producing a topographic pattern image based on a microstructure of a paper-based artifact. The topographic pattern image of the microstructure of the paper-based artifacts is used for authentication of the paper-based artifacts. The device includes an illumination channel comprising a light source and a light director configured to bend the light beam produced by the light source. The device also includes an imaging channel comprising at least one lens configured to magnify the topographic pattern created by the light beam and an image capturing mechanism to capture the topographic pattern.
