A document reading device for an authentication document, wherein the authentication document comprises a carrier layer and a molecular layer arranged on the carrier layer, wherein the authentication document is further configured to generate a stimulation field in response to an electrical voltage, which transfers the molecular layer into an excited state, the document reading device comprising: a communication interface which can be electrically connected to the authentication document and which is configured to apply the electrical voltage to the authentication document to generate the stimulation field; an illuminating device which is configured to illuminate through the molecular layer of the authentication document with illumination light, wherein the illumination light has a first light spectrum, wherein the illumination light can be reflected on the carrier layer; a light sensor which is configured to detect the illumination light reflected on the carrier layer, wherein the reflected illumination light has a second light spectrum which differs from the first light spectrum; and a processor which is configured to authenticate the authentication document on the basis of a comparison of the first light spectrum with the second light spectrum, wherein the molecular layer of the authentication document comprises a plurality of oriented molecules or polymer chains which are arranged on the carrier layer and which are chemically or physically bonded to the carrier layer, wherein the oriented molecules and/or polymer chains respectively are anchored at one end to the carrier layer, wherein the polymer chains or oriented molecules are deflectable from a rest position in response to the stimulation field, wherein the second light spectrum of the reflected illumination light is determined by the deflection of the polymer chains or oriented molecules or is influenced in a characteristic manner. a communication interface which can be electrically connected to the authentication document and which is configured to apply the electrical voltage to the authentication document to generate the stimulation field; an illuminating device which is configured to illuminate through the molecular layer of the authentication document with illumination light, wherein the illumination light has a first light spectrum, wherein the illumination light can be reflected on the carrier layer; a light sensor which is configured to detect the illumination light reflected on the carrier layer, wherein the reflected illumination light has a second light spectrum which differs from the first light spectrum; and a processor which is configured to authenticate the authentication document on the basis of a comparison of the first light spectrum with the second light spectrum, wherein the molecular layer of the authentication document comprises a plurality of oriented molecules or polymer chains which are arranged on the carrier layer and which are chemically or physically bonded to the carrier layer, wherein the oriented molecules and/or polymer chains respectively are anchored at one end to the carrier layer, wherein the polymer chains or oriented molecules are deflectable from a rest position in response to the stimulation field, wherein the second light spectrum of the reflected illumination light is determined by the deflection of the polymer chains or oriented molecules or is influenced in a characteristic manner.