WO2024056129A1 - Sicherheitselement mit nanostrukturen - Google Patents
Sicherheitselement mit nanostrukturen Download PDFInfo
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- WO2024056129A1 WO2024056129A1 PCT/DE2023/100676 DE2023100676W WO2024056129A1 WO 2024056129 A1 WO2024056129 A1 WO 2024056129A1 DE 2023100676 W DE2023100676 W DE 2023100676W WO 2024056129 A1 WO2024056129 A1 WO 2024056129A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- security element
- micromirror
- areas
- partial areas
- grating structure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
- B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
- B42D25/328—Diffraction gratings; Holograms
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
- B42D25/30—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
- B42D25/36—Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery comprising special materials
- B42D25/373—Metallic materials
Definitions
- the invention relates to a security element for valuables or documents of value, which has a subwavelength grating structure on a substrate which shows a color through light diffraction and resonance effects, with a large number of sub-regions which cannot be resolved with the naked eye being formed, in each of which the subwavelength grating structure is designed uniformly, with the subwavelength grating structures between the partial areas differing in at least one structural parameter that influences the light diffraction.
- the invention further relates to a method for producing such a security element. Since the 1980s, holographic gratings with a period typically between 600 nm and 1500 nm have been used as security features in banknotes and ID cards.
- Diffraction or diffraction is the deflection of waves by an obstacle. Through diffraction, a wave can propagate into areas of space that would be blocked by the obstacle in a straight path. Any type of physical wave can show diffraction. Diffraction occurs through the creation of new waves along a wave front according to the Huygens-Fresnel principle. These can lead to interference phenomena due to overlay. An example is diffraction on a periodic grating (first or higher order). Periodic structures can be used for implementation.
- hologram gratings with periods from around 400 nm to around 5 ⁇ m typically show colorful “rainbow colors”.
- Special optically variable effects can be created by varying, for example, the grating period and/or azimuth angle. The variation of the parameters can take place continuously or at least in small steps (e.g. to realize pump effects). Larger structures also show diffraction effects, which in practice can only be observed with largely directed lighting.
- blaze gratings In contrast to gratings with a symmetrical profile (sinusoidal gratings, rectangular gratings), blaze gratings have an asymmetrical profile shape (especially sawtooth profiles).
- Aperiodic diffraction structures act as “matte structures” and have similar structural sizes to hologram gratings, but are arranged irregularly, so that in diffracted light, a superposition of light of different wavelengths leads to “whitening”.
- the structures can diffract practically isotropically in all directions or only in certain preferred directions. If different structures with different preferred directions are used, e.g. B. achromatic running effects can be realized.
- colorshift coatings which give the viewer a color impression that depends on the tilt angle
- Coatings with interference color filters produce color through multiple reflection of light in a (thin) layer structure.
- the interference condition is only met for one wavelength, all others have destructive interference. This results in color production.
- the color becomes spectrally “purer”, meaning the interference peak becomes narrower.
- Three-layer structures with absorber, dielectric and reflector are typical, e.g. absorber Cr (approx. 5 nm), dielectric SiO 2 (200-500 nm), reflector Al (approx. 50 nm).
- Micromirrors are facets that essentially reflect incident light according to the laws of beam optics. They have dimensions that are significantly larger (approx. a factor of 10) than the wavelength of light, in particular dimensions from around 5 ⁇ m. This means that their reflective behavior is extensive achromatic. The dimensions are preferably a maximum of 100 ⁇ m, particularly preferably a maximum of 40 ⁇ m.
- the micromirrors can be arranged periodically (“sawtooth grating”) or aperiodically. Fresnel structures can also consist entirely or partially of micromirror structures or can be approximated by micromirrors. Fresnel structures are created from surfaces of any shape through cuts with a constant height.
- micromirrors can also have an arcuate cross-sectional shape and a three-dimensional shape.
- Micromirrors are often rectangular, but honeycomb-shaped (hexagonal) or arbitrarily shaped micromirrors (“mosaic”) are also possible.
- the surfaces of the micromirrors are preferably flat with a defined inclination. At least the most tilted micromirrors have a height in profile that is significantly larger than the wavelength (> 1 ⁇ m).
- the inclinations of the steepest micromirrors are typically in the range of 20°, and in special designs even in the range of 10°.
- the degree of reflection or the color of the reflected light can be determined via the coating, which is present, for example, as a simple surface-conform metallization such as aluminum or as a high-refractive index coating such as ZnS or in the form of a multilayer colorshift structure.
- the color and/or the degree of reflectance can also be adjusted using superimposed subwavelength structures. If micromirrors are not coated with a reflective coating but are at least semi-transparent, effects similar to those of the mirror effect in reflected light can be observed through the prism effect in transmitted light. For the required light refraction, the structures must not be embedded or must be located at an interface with a material with a significantly different refractive index.
- optically variable security features have been developed for many years, which are based on the use of nanostructures with typical sizes in the subwavelength range, i.e. smaller than 400 nm.
- One- or two-dimensionally structured nanostructures are used in the form of regular subwavelength gratings or in the form of irregular structures, for example elevations or depressions arranged irregularly on a base surface.
- Subwavelength structures are so small that no first or higher order diffraction effects occur when light falls vertically.
- the structure sizes are smaller than the wavelength of the light.
- Subwavelength gratings are regular one- or two-dimensional gratings with periods in the subwavelength JHQEHUHLFK ⁇ ⁇ QP ⁇ XQG ⁇ HU]HXJHQ ⁇ )DUEHQ ⁇ LP ⁇ 6SLHJHOUHIOH[ ⁇ QXOOWH ⁇ 2UG ⁇ nung”).
- the subwavelength gratings with a metallic coating use plasmon effects to generate color.
- colors are created by a different effect, namely by resonant excitation of polaritons.
- the profile shape can be, for example, rectangular or sinusoidal.
- Moth-eye structures are subwavelength structures that allow light to pass from one medium to another almost without reflection. In dielectric materials, such structures act as an “anti-reflective layer”. The structures can be arranged regularly (periodically) or irregularly and with a tapering cross section or e.g also exist as binary rectangular structures. If the moth eye structures are coated with metallic vapor, they appear very dark and especially black.
- Subwavelength structures are here structures with dimensions YRQ ⁇ QP ⁇ YHUVWDQGHQ ⁇ 'LH ⁇ *LWWHUSHULRGHQ ⁇ GHU ⁇ 6XEZHOOHQOlQJHQJLWHU ⁇ OLH ⁇ gen preferably between 10 nm and 500 nm, preferably between 50 nm and 400 nm and especially preferably between 100 nm and 350 nm.
- the anti-counterfeit protection of nanostructures is based in particular on the fact that their production requires high-resolution systems and processes, such as those used in electron beam lithography. Compared to embossed holograms, the nanostructures to be created are an order of magnitude smaller.
- the various molding steps for film production which are primarily part of the process of embossing tool production, must be carried out in a predictably true to shape so that the structures embossed on film can be seen by the viewer, for example in the desired color.
- regular subwavelength gratings can still be produced using conventional lithography systems and even laser direct exposure - albeit under difficult conditions. The protection against counterfeiting is therefore not yet optimal.
- subwavelength gratings are more difficult to produce than hologram gratings with correspondingly larger grating periods, since a higher resolution is required for this.
- laser exposure systems must be built to be more stable (in terms of mechanical vibrations, temperature) and more precise (in terms of positioning accuracy) and use lasers with a smaller wavelength.
- extended regular subwavelength gratings are in most cases easier to produce than arrays of gratings with varying parameters. The smaller the uniformly structured surface areas and the larger the number of different parameters, the less profitable or more difficult direct exposures are.
- EP 2447743 A1 discloses a security element of the type mentioned at the outset, which provides pixels that cannot be resolved with the eye and which have subwavelength gratings with a dielectric high-refractive index coating. So that the optical impression of a pixel does not change when the security element is rotated perpendicular to its surface, each pixel is made up of sub-pixels whose subwavelength gratings in the pixel have an individual azimuthal orientation. The publication refers to the pixels obtained in this way as “isotropic pixels”.
- EP 2229287 A2 relates to a security feature whose surface areas filled with subwavelength gratings light up at certain tilt angles and lead to a geometric distortion of the perceptible shapes. Therefore, the corresponding surface areas are pre-distorted so that they appear undistorted in correct proportions at the specific tilt angles.
- Security features that use regular nanostructures, ie structures in the form of subwavelength gratings, have a very disturbing optical effect in some cases: at high tilt angles or light incident flatly from a certain angle, the observer sees the subwavelength gratings glow brightly because the first order of diffraction becomes visible. This can seriously affect color perception because the original color of the area filled with this subwavelength grid is suddenly no longer recognizable.
- the first order of diffraction outshines the color originally assigned to this area. What is also irritating is that due to the sudden brightness of this particular area, the colors of the neighboring areas can no longer be clearly seen.
- Such nanostructures with a regular arrangement i.e. subwavelength grating structures, can also be found, for example, in EUR banknotes.
- the security films of some nominal values contain individual areas that light up green when tilted at a high tilt angle because they are filled with a 300 nm cross grid.
- the invention is based on the object of providing a security feature with generation of structural colors based on subwavelength gratings, which, when viewed, does not reveal any impairments caused by diffraction effects.
- the invention is defined in the independent claims.
- the security element for valuables or valuable documents has a subwavelength grating structure on a substrate.
- This can be a one- or two-dimensional periodic subwavelength grating structure; it shows a color in a vertical top view.
- a large number of sub-areas are formed that cannot be resolved with the naked eye.
- Each sub-area has the subwavelength grating structure, which is homogeneous or uniform in the sub-area.
- the subwavelength grating structures differ in at least one structural parameter that influences the diffraction of light.
- the large number of partial areas, which cannot be resolved with the naked eye cover a surface area of the security element.
- the partial areas provided on the surface area differ with regard to the at least one structural parameter in such a way that an observer in the surface area occupied by the partial areas does not perceive any rotation-angle-dependent diffraction effect when he tilts the security element.
- This tilting occurs around a tilting axis that lies in a substrate plane, thus changing the elevation angle.
- This concept stipulates that the partial areas can change in terms of color impression when tilted.
- the partial areas differ from one another with regard to the structural parameter within the surface area, large tilt angles arise overall across the surface area, ie averaged over the partial areas occupying the surface area, when the security element is rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to the substrate plane there is no significant diffraction-related change in the color impression in the surface area.
- a bright illumination of the first order of diffraction as occurs with a (extended) homogeneous grating when tilting about an axis parallel to the grating lines at high tilt angles, does not occur to a significant extent in the security element according to the invention.
- the color constancy is particularly high if the subwavelength gratings generate the color on the basis of plasmon resonance, i.e.
- the metallic coating is expediently between 5 nm and 200 nm, preferably between 8 nm and 150 nm, particularly preferably between 15 nm and 80 nm.
- the metallic coating advantageously forms a largely opaque coating.
- an HRI layer, a multi-layer coating e.g.
- HRI High Refractive Index
- LRI Low Refractive Index
- the HRI layer is preferably formed from ZnS or TiO 2
- the LRI layer for example, from a polymer or SiO 2 or MgF 2 .
- the structure parameter individualizes the sub-areas within the area. Several parameters of the subwavelength grating structure come into consideration for this, which can be used individually or in combination for individualization.
- a base surface e.g. rotationally symmetrical outline shapes; non-rotationally symmetrical, e.g. rectangular, in particular square outline shapes, ellipses, parallelograms, etc.
- the sub-areas are individualized by a different parameter.
- individualization can result from an azimuthal orientation, while in another group, it can result from the variation of the period.
- adjacent, different subregions of the surface area have a variation of the azimuthal orientation between 0° and 360°.
- the period of adjacent, different subregions of the surface area differs by a value of a maximum of 10% (e.g. 30 nm at 300 nm), preferably of a maximum of 5% (e.g. 15 nm at 300 nm) .
- the structural parameters are varied essentially isotropically in the surface area.
- a random or pseudo-random variation of the parameter within a variation range is possible.
- Pseudo-random numbers are sequences of numbers that appear random but are calculated using a deterministic algorithm and are therefore not true random numbers in the strictest sense. Nevertheless, pseudo-random numbers are widely used because the statistical properties of a pseudo-random number distribution, such as equal probability of the individual numbers or the statistical independence of successive numbers, are usually sufficiently irregular for practical purposes, such as for the pseudo-random variation of the azimuth angle and pseudo-random numbers are easy to generate with computers in contrast to real random numbers.
- the security element can advantageously have several surface areas. The surface areas typically form individual regions within a motif, each of which has a uniform color depending on the selected design.
- a first surface area can form the brown trunk
- a second surface area can form the green crown
- a third surface area can form a red apple.
- the crown itself could consist of different areas in varying shades of green, or the color of the apples could vary between red and yellow, so that each apple has its own area with an assigned color from the spectrum between red and yellow represents.
- Each apple could also consist of different areas with colors from the spectrum between red and yellow.
- the design of the surface area by several partial areas, which are individualized by the at least one structural parameter, can advantageously be combined with a micromirror arrangement, the surface areas being formed on the micromirror arrangement.
- the surface areas are combined with a micromirror arrangement in such a way that the surface areas are each designed as micromirrors of this micromirror arrangement.
- the subwavelength grating structure of the partial areas of each micromirror gives it a specific color that is largely independent of the elevation angle.
- the micromirror arrangement thus creates a colorful or colorful motif. Tilting the security element then leads to the creation of a desired effect, whereby the color or color intensity of the individual micromirrors is not affected by diffraction effects of the color-producing subwavelength structure due to the individualized partial areas.
- the surface areas are preferably not resolvable with the naked eye, since the individual micromirrors are preferably below the resolution limit.
- the surface areas correspond to micromirror pixels in which there are several micromirrors with a uniform orientation.
- the pixel size of the micromirror pixels is typically in the range from 10 ⁇ m to 30 ⁇ m, in particular 20 ⁇ m.
- the partial areas can coincide with the micromirrors within a micromirror pixel. However, this is not absolutely necessary.
- the boundaries of the micromirrors and the partial areas can also run independently of one another within a micromirror pixel.
- the partial areas should not be significantly smaller than the micromirror pixel size. Typical dimensions for the partial areas are therefore, for example, a minimum of approximately 4 to 5 ⁇ m per partial area with a dimension of the micromirror pixel of approximately 10 ⁇ m x 10 ⁇ m.
- the surface areas each correspond to a plurality of micromirror pixels (ie areas in which there are micromirrors with a uniform orientation).
- the pixel size of the micromirror pixels here is also typically typically in the range from 10 ⁇ m to 30 ⁇ m, especially at 20 ⁇ m.
- each micromirror pixel has e.g. B. Dimensions of 20 ⁇ m x 20 ⁇ m.
- the partial areas preferably coincide with the micromirror pixels within a surface area. However, this is not absolutely necessary.
- the boundaries of the micromirror pixels and the partial areas can also run independently of one another within the surface area. In typical embodiments, several micromirror pixels have the same color. It is not absolutely necessary that the micromirror pixels all have the same orientation or inclination (or that the orientation/inclination of the micromirrors within the micromirror pixels is the same for all micromirror pixels).
- the alignment/inclination of the micromirror pixels can vary in the surface area.
- the surface areas to be filled with structural colors using subwavelength gratings are divided into subareas whose size is below the resolution of the human eye. These sub-areas are filled with subwavelength gratings that are clearly defined by a specific set of parameters and fill their respective sub-area homogeneously.
- the subwavelength gratings in the subregions can be both one-dimensional and two-dimensional periodic subwavelength gratings.
- the subwavelength gratings of adjacent partial areas within a surface area differ from each other with regard to at least one structural parameter influencing the diffraction properties, with this difference having little or no visual effect when viewed vertically, so that in this state the observer can see the structural color produced compared to the structural color generated by the individual sub-areas appears the same or at least very similar.
- no maxima that can be assigned to the first order of diffraction occur, which could significantly change or outshine the structural colors produced.
- the absence of the bright light of the first order of diffraction can be seen with the naked eye without any aids.
- any residual diffraction that may occur occurs azimuthally evenly and with significantly reduced intensity.
- the disclosed security feature also creates a higher barrier to counterfeit attempts.
- the diffraction and/or resonance properties of the subwavelength gratings are essentially defined by the following structural parameters, which can be used individually or in combination to individualize the sub-regions: - Period between 10 nm and 500 nm, preferably between 50 nm and 400 nm, especially preferably between 100 nm and 350 nm; - Depth between 50 nm and 400 nm, preferably between 80 nm and 300 nm; - One-dimensional (linear) or two-dimensional grids; For two-dimensional grids, for example, rectangular, square, hexagonal or even parallelogram-shaped grid arrangements; - azimuthal alignment of the grids in the plane of the security feature, relative to a predefined direction; - Profile shape of the relief structure: sine, rectangular (binary) structures or other profile shapes with concave and/or convex sections; A periodic arrangement of nanoholes or nanodots with various outline shapes is also possible.
- the grids are preferably uniformly coated with metal, since an easily recognizable color is then produced which does not change significantly over a larger angular range.
- the metallization takes place in areas.
- the top surfaces of embossed elevations (“pillars”) are provided with a coating, while the remaining surface areas have no coating.
- the reverse embodiment - regularly arranged holes in a metal layer - is also possible.
- the azimuth angle i.e. the alignment of the regular subwavelength gratings in the plane defined by the substrate, is particularly suitable as a structural parameter to be varied in the partial areas, since with non-polarized illumination this largely has no effect on the color generated by plasmon resonance effects when viewed vertically influence and essentially only affects the diffraction.
- the azimuth angle of the partial areas filled with the subwavelength gratings which together represent the entire surface area to be filled with a substantially uniform structural color, varies randomly or pseudo-randomly within a predefined variation range.
- the azimuth angle of each sub-area can take on any value between 0 and 360°, so that due to the large number of sub-areas into which a substantially homogeneously colored area is divided, subwavelength gratings with diverse azimuth angles and approximately an equal azimuthal distribution, ie essentially isotropic over the entire angular range.
- the subareas have a lateral extent below the resolution of the human eye. Their size is therefore below 300 ⁇ m, preferably below 100 ⁇ m, particularly preferably below 50 ⁇ m. This applies to their maximum extent in at least one spatial direction, ie the partial areas can be very narrow, elongated lines, although partial areas whose dimensions are below the resolution limit in all directions are preferred.
- the partial areas can have irregular outlines, but they can also appear in the form of regularly arranged pixels.
- the subject matter of the invention can also be combined with one or more further subareas in which the grid parameters are not varied at all. For example, it can be provided that over a large area there are small sub-areas (e.g.
- the small partial areas with varying azimuth angles and the other partial areas with identical azimuth angles which are also preferably not resolvable with the naked eye, cannot be distinguished or at least can hardly be distinguished, while when viewed appropriately (when tilting about an axis parallel to the Grid lines) at a flat angle due to the otherwise undesirable first order of diffraction of the macroscopic sub-region formed from the further sub-regions with identical azimuth angles, a further representation becomes visible here.
- Such a combination also makes it easier to clearly verify the feature according to the invention: a lack of bright diffraction effects from the first order may not always be able to be verified beyond doubt, since in practice this can also be attributed to, for example, poor lighting conditions It may be that a viewer is not looking closely enough. However, if a grating with fixed grating parameters is provided in a macroscopic sub-area made up of further sub-areas, that is, perceptible to the naked eye, then an observer receives a clear result when these further sub-areas light up brightly in the first diffraction order However, other sub-areas do not show such an effect.
- a motif for example in the form of a symbol that can be read with the naked eye
- which in one dimension has lateral dimensions below the resolution limit of the eye (e.g. 60 ⁇ m)
- There are small subareas e.g. subpixels with an edge length of 10 ⁇ m
- the azimuth angles are chosen randomly
- another subarea there is a (continuous) subwavelength grating.
- the small sub-areas with varying azimuth angles and the further sub-area cannot be distinguished when viewed vertically.
- the surface region as a whole can be perceived with a uniform color or brightness .
- a subdivision of the (macroscopic) further sub-area into sub-areas that are not perceptible to the naked eye is therefore not absolutely necessary in order to achieve an overall uniform appearance. Accordingly, a continuous subwavelength grating can be provided in the entire further sub-area.
- Subwavelength gratings are produced, for example, by the following process: - electron beam lithography; - Production of an embossing tool through galvanic molding steps; - Embossing in thermoplastic or radiation-curing, especially UV-curing, embossing varnish; - Metallization (e.g. with Al, Au, Ag, Cr, Ni, Cu, Fe or their alloys), possibly additionally with an HRI layer (e.g. ZnS); A multi-layer coating is also conceivable and can be used advantageously (e.g. color shift system with absorber/dielectric/reflector, whereby the subwavelength structure changes the color shift color); - Optional embedding of the coated embossed structures (e.g. with protective varnish).
- Metallization e.g. with Al, Au, Ag, Cr, Ni, Cu, Fe or their alloys
- HRI layer e.g. ZnS
- a multi-layer coating is also conceivable and can be used advantageously (e.g.
- the security features according to the invention have a further advantage : they are practically impossible to replicate with direct exposure using lasers using interference at the location of the sample because the large number of variably filled sub-areas and the small size of these sub-areas would make direct exposure too difficult and time-consuming.
- the small grating periods ensure that other optical methods are also not possible for origination. Production using electron beam systems is possible, but requires greater effort in data preparation. This represents a double hurdle for counterfeiters. Electron beam systems are already very expensive and therefore difficult to access for counterfeiters.
- the additional software that has to be created for data preparation represents a further obstacle.
- These nanostructures are particularly interesting in security features in which they are combined with microstructures. While the microstructures mainly ensure high dynamics and the associated optical variability, the subwavelength grating structures give the feature characteristic colors. The measures described so far for generating colored representations for security features based on structural colors are therefore particularly effective when superimposed with microstructures. The structures are more complex and difficult to produce than the subwavelength gratings known in the prior art. The microstructures make an additional contribution to the suppression of diffraction phenomena, since the diffraction condition – i.e.
- microstructures ensure the dynamics, while the subwavelength gratings provide the corresponding colors.
- two motifs of a binary micromirror tilt image with micromirrors that were noisy in one direction were additionally equipped with nanostructures to give them a color.
- the nanostructures located on the micromirrors consisted of subwavelength cross gratings with a sinusoidal profile, which were divided into regular, 20 ⁇ m subpixels as partial areas, with the azimuthal orientation of the subwavelength cross gratings changing randomly from subpixel to subpixel. changed.
- the azimuth angle is varied in the partial areas, ie an alignment of the regular periodic subwavelength grating structure in the plane defined by the substrate is changed from partial area to partial area.
- the individual subregions there are particularly preferably two-dimensionally periodically arranged subwavelength grating structures, which are preferably applied to the substrate in a rectangular, square, hexagonal or parallelogram-shaped grid arrangement.
- the two-dimensional periodic subwavelength grating structures have regularly arranged elevations and depressions, with the elevations in the top view of the security element in particular not being rotationally symmetrical, e.g. B. rectangular, particularly preferably square.
- the elevations are of course not limited to square or rectangular shapes in terms of their top sides visible in the top view. Other, non-rotationally symmetrical shapes also come into consideration, such as ellipses and parallelograms.
- the elevations are rectangular in plan view.
- the edges of all elevations are parallel to one another, which means that the rectangles visible in a top view all have the same orientation.
- the grid arrangement is rotated from sub-area to sub-area by a certain angle, whereby the parallelism of the edges of the elevations is maintained across all sub-areas.
- Each survey with a defined register point which is the same for all surveys, is fixed at an intersection of grid lines of a grid so that the register point lies exactly at this intersection.
- the register point can, for example, be the center of an elevation that is rectangular in plan view, but any other point can also be used as a register point.
- the sub-areas differ in the alignment of the grid arrangement, but not in the alignment of the elevations, each of which has its register point on the respective intersection.
- the preferred manufacturing method described is also suitable for one-dimensional periodic subwavelength grating structures. Then the horizontal or vertical distances between the elevations are chosen to be zero, so that a quasi-one-dimensional periodic subwavelength grating structure with grating webs and grating columns is provided. With the preferred manufacturing method, the subwavelength grating structure can be exposed more quickly and therefore produced more easily due to the identical alignment of the non-rotationally symmetrical elevations in all partial areas.
- the invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which also reveal features essential to the invention. These exemplary embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as restrictive.
- FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a banknote with a security element
- FIG. 2 a perspective schematic representation of the security element to illustrate a tilting effect
- FIG Sectional view through a partial area of the security element of FIG. 3 5 shows a further embodiment of a banknote with two security elements, similar to that of FIG. 4,
- FIG. 6 shows a further top view of a security element
- FIGS. 7 to 9 top views of a partial area of the security element
- FIG in the top view and
- FIG. 11 is a top view of a partial area of a security element.
- Fig. 1 shows schematically a banknote 2 or another document of value that is provided with a security element 4 for copy protection.
- the security element 4 presents a motif to a viewer and has several pixels or surface areas 6 for this purpose.
- the security element 4 can be formed directly on it when producing banknote paper.
- each pixel 6 is achieved in that, as shown schematically in FIG.
- the grid lines of a one-dimensional periodic subwavelength grating structure can continuously transition from one subregion in the form of curved lines into the grid lines of another subregion or other subregions with the same period but rotated azimuth.
- Fig. 4 shows a sectional view through the partial area 17 (Fig. 3) along a horizontal axis.
- the sectional view of FIG. 4 shows that the security element 4 is formed on a substrate 20 on which an embossing lacquer layer 22 is arranged, into which a relief of a subwavelength grating structure 24 is embossed.
- This is periodic at least in the cutting plane and extends, for example, in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the drawing plane. It consists of a large number of elevations 28 and depressions 30, which in the example shown follow one another one-dimensionally periodically. A two-dimensional, periodic grid structure is of course equally possible.
- the relief structure is provided with a metallization layer 26.
- the partial areas 16 of the pixel 6 can be understood as subpixels. All partial areas 16 of a pixel 6 produce the same color and are therefore designed with regard to their subwavelength grating 24 so that they present the same or at least essentially the same color. However, they differ with respect to the longitudinal direction 18 along which the subwavelength grating structure 24 extends. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the pixel 6 is divided into 36 subregions 16, the longitudinal direction 18 of which differs from each other by 10 degrees. The longitudinal directions 18 of the subwavelength grating structures 24 are thus evenly distributed between 0° and 360° in the exemplary embodiment.
- the partial areas 16 that follow each other with regard to the variation of the longitudinal direction 18 do not have to be lined up regularly, as is the case in columns from top left to bottom right in FIG.
- the individual longitudinal directions 18 can also be distributed to the individual partial areas 16 completely randomly or pseudo-randomly.
- the subwavelength grating structure 24 is neither limited to a one-dimensional periodic structure nor the variation to a variation of the longitudinal direction 18.
- Other subwavelength grating structures can equally be used and other parameters of this subwavelength grating structure can be varied, as explained in the general part of the description.
- the subwavelength grating structure 24 by a two-dimensional periodic arrangement of elevations and/or depressions and/or to vary as a parameter not a longitudinal direction 18, but a period between the individual partial areas 16.
- 5 shows that the division into partial areas 16 is not aimed at dividing pixels 6, i.e. surface areas that cannot be resolved with the naked eye, but can also be used for larger areas 32, 34, 35, which are in subareas 16 that cannot be resolved with the naked eye.
- 5 shows by way of example that the partial areas 16 do not necessarily have to be arranged regularly or have the same basic structure.
- 6 shows a further embodiment of the security element 4, which in this variant is designed as a micromirror arrangement 36, which is constructed from individually oriented micromirrors 38.
- Each of the micromirrors 38 comprises a plurality of subregions 16, which can differ from one another, for example in the longitudinal direction 18 of the subwavelength grating structure 24, as explained with reference to the pixel 6 in FIG. 3.
- the options for how the individual subareas 16 can differ from one another which were explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and are also mentioned in the general part of the description, also apply equally to the partial areas 16 on a micromirror 38.
- micromirrors 38 by a large number of partial areas 16, which differ in at least one parameter, has the advantage that the individual micromirrors 38 of the micromirror arrangement 36 are independent of their orientation - tion show the desired color and the effect does not occur that with a certain orientation of the micromirror 38, which ultimately corresponds to a tilt angle according to FIG. 2, the desired color is not visible at all and / or of a higher diffraction order, for example first order of diffraction, is impaired or disturbed.
- 11 shows a top view of a section of a further embodiment of a security element, which, like the security element shown in FIG. 6, is designed as a micromirror arrangement 36, which is constructed from individually oriented micromirrors 38.
- micromirrors are present in micromirror pixels, in each of which there are several micromirrors with a uniform azimuthal orientation (and inclination) (indicated in the figure by corresponding hatching).
- Several micromirror pixels have the same color, which is specified by a subwavelength grating structure.
- the division into partial areas 16 that cannot be resolved with the unaided eye occurs here for larger areas 32 that can be perceived with the unaided eye and one of which has a dashed outline included in the figure for illustration purposes only (and with the longitudinal direction 18 of the subwavelength grating structures) is shown in detail.
- the sub-areas 16 of the areas 32 are designed with regard to their sub-wavelength grating so that they present the same color. you under- However, they differ from each other, as explained with reference to pixel 6 in FIG. 3, with regard to a parameter influencing the diffraction of light. In the top view of FIG. 11, this is the azimuthal orientation or a longitudinal direction 18 in which the one-dimensionally periodic subwavelength grating structure extends here as an example.
- the micromirror pixels are congruent with the partial areas 16 of the areas 32.
- the micromirror pixels of the area 32 all have the same orientation and inclination, ie the orientation of the micromirrors within the micromirror pixels is the same for all micromirror pixels of the surface area. However, this is not absolutely necessary. According to an embodiment not shown here, the orientation and/or the inclination of the micromirror pixels can also vary in the surface area.
- 7 to 9 show top views of partial areas 16a to 16c of the security element 4, while FIG. 10 shows a survey 28 in detail.
- FIGS is explained. 7 shows a first partial area 16a of a pixel 6 in a top view.
- the partial area has a two-dimensional subwavelength structure in the form of depressions 30 and elevations 28, the latter being arranged in a square grid arrangement.
- This grid arrangement forms a first grid 40.
- the elevations 28 lie in the first grid 40 z. B. in such a way that a center point M of each elevation 28 comes to rest on an intersection of horizontal and vertical grid lines of the first grid 40.
- the center point M serves to illustrate registration of the elevations 28 in the first grid 40.
- the center point M is for simplicity For the sake of information, only shown for one survey 28.
- the first grid 40 also serves only to illustrate the arrangement of the elevations 28 in the partial area 16a; This is the only way it can be seen in the top view of the security element 4.
- the grid arrangement according to the first grid 40 is, for example, square, ie the horizontal and vertical grid lines lie at a 90° angle to one another. But there are also grid arrangements in a z. B.
- FIG. 8 shows a second partial area 16b of the pixel 6 in a top view, in which the azimuth angle is changed compared to FIG. 7 based on a predetermined value. This is achieved in that the elevations are arranged in a second grid 42, which is rotated by a first angle 44 relative to the first grid 40, but otherwise has the same structure. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the angle is 4410°. This rotation of the second grid 42 relative to the first grid 40 by the angle 44 is shown in detail at the bottom right edge of FIG. 8 for illustrative purposes. Regardless of the rotation of the second grid 42 relative to the first grid 40 by the angle 44, the orientation of the elevations 28 in FIGS.
- FIG. 7 and 8 remains the same, ie in FIG. 8 the edges of the top of the elevations 28 are parallel those of the previous section 16a; they do not rotate with the second grid 42.
- 9 shows a third partial area 16c of the pixel 6 in a top view.
- elevations 28 are registered with their centers M on the intersections of the grid lines of a third grid 46.
- the basic structure of this corresponds to the grids 40 and 42, but is rotated relative to the grid 40 by a second angle 48 of 30°.
- the orientation of the elevations 28 also remains the same in FIG. 9, ie in FIG.
- FIG. 10 shows a single elevation 28 in a top view.
- the survey 28 has the center M.
- the first grid 40, the second grid 42 and the third grid 46 are shown, which are registered with the center M of the elevation 28 such that the center M is at the intersection of the grid lines of the grids 40, 42, 46.
- the first angle 44 and the second angle 48 are shown, by which the second grid 42 is rotated around the first grid 40 and the third grid 46 is rotated around the first grid 40, respectively.
- 7 to 9 show two-dimensional periodic grid structures with elevations 28 and depressions 30, arranged for example in a rectangular grid arrangement in the form of a square grid 40, 42, 46. It is possible to set the horizontal or vertical distances between the Er - set elevations 28 equal to zero and thus create a one-dimensional periodic grid with grid bars and gaps (this embodiment is not shown). 7 to 9 each show a partial area 16a, 16b, 16c with a different azimuth angle. However, the edges of the elevations or the edges of the top sides of the elevations remain aligned in the same way in each of FIGS. 7 to 9 (ie in all partial areas), namely parallel to the grid lines of the first grid 40 in the illustrated embodiments, for example.
Landscapes
- Diffracting Gratings Or Hologram Optical Elements (AREA)
- Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP23782134.3A EP4587270A1 (de) | 2022-09-14 | 2023-09-13 | Sicherheitselement mit nanostrukturen |
| CN202380064073.4A CN119768283A (zh) | 2022-09-14 | 2023-09-13 | 具有纳米结构的防伪元件 |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE102022003386.0 | 2022-09-14 | ||
| DE102022003386.0A DE102022003386A1 (de) | 2022-09-14 | 2022-09-14 | Sicherheitselement mit Nanostrukturen |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2024056129A1 true WO2024056129A1 (de) | 2024-03-21 |
Family
ID=88207275
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DE2023/100676 Ceased WO2024056129A1 (de) | 2022-09-14 | 2023-09-13 | Sicherheitselement mit nanostrukturen |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4587270A1 (de) |
| CN (1) | CN119768283A (de) |
| DE (1) | DE102022003386A1 (de) |
| WO (1) | WO2024056129A1 (de) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2229287A2 (de) | 2007-12-27 | 2010-09-22 | Giesecke & Devrient GmbH | Sicherheitsmerkmale mit gitter für hohe kippwinkel |
| EP2447743A1 (de) | 2010-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement | Isotropes optisches Filter und Herstellungsverfahren dafür |
| DE102011101635A1 (de) * | 2011-05-16 | 2012-11-22 | Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh | Zweidimensional periodisches, farbfilterndes Gitter |
| US20220250404A1 (en) * | 2019-07-12 | 2022-08-11 | De La Rue International Limited | Security devices and methods of manufacture |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102012110630A1 (de) * | 2012-11-06 | 2014-05-08 | Ovd Kinegram Ag | Mehrschichtkörper sowie Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Sicherheitselements |
-
2022
- 2022-09-14 DE DE102022003386.0A patent/DE102022003386A1/de active Pending
-
2023
- 2023-09-13 CN CN202380064073.4A patent/CN119768283A/zh active Pending
- 2023-09-13 EP EP23782134.3A patent/EP4587270A1/de active Pending
- 2023-09-13 WO PCT/DE2023/100676 patent/WO2024056129A1/de not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2229287A2 (de) | 2007-12-27 | 2010-09-22 | Giesecke & Devrient GmbH | Sicherheitsmerkmale mit gitter für hohe kippwinkel |
| EP2447743A1 (de) | 2010-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement | Isotropes optisches Filter und Herstellungsverfahren dafür |
| DE102011101635A1 (de) * | 2011-05-16 | 2012-11-22 | Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh | Zweidimensional periodisches, farbfilterndes Gitter |
| US20220250404A1 (en) * | 2019-07-12 | 2022-08-11 | De La Rue International Limited | Security devices and methods of manufacture |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN119768283A (zh) | 2025-04-04 |
| EP4587270A1 (de) | 2025-07-23 |
| DE102022003386A1 (de) | 2024-03-14 |
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