Aerosol-generating system and device having a waveguide arrangement for authenticating aerosol-generating articles

An aerosol-generating system comprising:

• an aerosol generating article extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one indicium containing information about the article arranged on a surface thereof, and
• an aerosol-generating device comprising:
• a cavity having an opening configured to receive the aerosol generating article,
• a heater arranged about the cavity to heat said aerosol generating article after insertion thereof in the cavity,
• an optical reader system comprising at least one optical detector,
• a power supply unit, and
• a control unit configured to control at least the heater and the optical reader system,
• wherein said optical reader system is configured to illuminate said indicium in said cavity with a light beam, said optical reader system including at least one waveguide having an incoupling surface and an outcoupling surface, said waveguide being configured to transmit at least a reflected light beam from said indicium to said outcoupling surface to outcouple said reflected light beam to said at least one optical detector, and
• wherein a portion of the waveguide has stable optical properties up to about 300° C.

An aerosol-generating system comprising:

• an aerosol generating article extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one indicium containing information about the article arranged on a surface thereof, and
• an aerosol-generating device comprising:
• a cavity having an opening configured to receive the aerosol generating article,
• a heater arranged about the cavity to heat said aerosol generating article after insertion thereof in the cavity,
• an optical reader system comprising at least one optical detector,
• a power supply unit, and
• a control unit configured to control at least the heater and the optical reader system,
• wherein said optical reader system is configured to illuminate said indicium in said cavity with a light beam, said optical reader system including at least one waveguide having an incoupling surface and an outcoupling surface, said waveguide being configured to transmit at least a reflected light beam from said indicium to said outcoupling surface to outcouple said reflected light beam to said at least one optical detector, and
• wherein said waveguide has a flexible portion.