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 (111-1), wherein the illumination light (111-1) has a first light spectrum, wherein the illumination light (111-1) can be reflected on the carrier layer ; a light sensor which is configured to detect the illumination light (111-2) reflected on the carrier layer , wherein the reflected illumination light (111-2) 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 (111-2) 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 (111-1), wherein the illumination light (111-1) has a first light spectrum, wherein the illumination light (111-1) can be reflected on the carrier layer ; a light sensor which is configured to detect the illumination light (111-2) reflected on the carrier layer , wherein the reflected illumination light (111-2) 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 (111-2) is determined by the deflection of the polymer chains or oriented molecules or is influenced in a characteristic manner. <EOS>