Personal authentication apparatus and method

A finger-vein authentication apparatus for identifying an individual person by using a vein pattern of a finger, said finger-vein authentication apparatus comprising:

• a set plane on which a finger is placed;
• a light source for illuminating one surface of both side-surfaces of a fingertip of said finger with light;
• and
• an imaging unit for imaging the other surface of said fingertip, said light source and said imaging unit being positioned at both sides of said set plane;
• wherein a light-shielding means is provided on a light-source side of a position facing said finger placed on said set plane, said light-shielding means being used for shielding said illumination light such that said illumination light does not travel to a ball side of said finger;
• and
• an empty clearance is provided at a position under said finger on an imaging plane side such that said finger on said imaging plane side is prevented from touching said set plane.