Device and method for generating identification key

A device for generating an identification key, the device comprising:

• a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) in which a difference between a width of a base region and a sum of a width of a first depletion region and a width of a second depletion region is equal to or greater than a first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold, the first depletion region being formed by a junction between an emitter region and the base region and the second depletion region being formed by a junction between a collector region and the base region;
• and
• a reader configured to determine whether the emitter region and the collector region of the BJT are shorted and to provide an identification key, when a base-emitter voltage of the BJT less than a predetermined potential difference is applied.

A method of generating an identification key, the method comprising:

• reading, by a reader, whether an emitter region and a collector region of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) are shorted in a state in which a base-emitter voltage of the BJT is maintained to be less than a predetermined potential difference, the BJT having an effective base width equal to or greater than a first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold;
• and
• providing an identification key corresponding to the BJT based on a result of the reading.