Abstract:
The present invention provides a multilayer light-diffracting structure (10) comprising a transparent diffraction layer (5) and a light transforming layer (6) in contact with the diffraction layer (5). The diffraction layer (5) comprises superposed first and second diffraction gratings oriented at an angle (α) to each other. The first and second diffraction gratings each comprise elements (9) having a triangular cross-section in a depth-wise direction of the diffraction layer (5). A period (X) of the first diffraction grating and a period (Y) of the second diffraction grating are each in a range of from 0.2 to 0.8 micrometres. The diffraction layer (5) has a first refractive index n 1 (λ) as a function of wavelength (λ) and the light transforming layer (6) has a second refractive index n 2 (λ) as a function of wavelength (λ). The absolute value of the difference between the first refractive index n 1 (λ) and the second refractive index n 2 (λ) is greater than 0.5 for the same wavelength (λ). The multilayer light-diffracting structure (10) can appear black if viewed normal to its surface, can be manufactured by a process using stamping or pressing, and can be used as a security feature of an item of value, such as a bank card, banknote, passport or identity card, branded goods, ticket or legal document, for example.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a relief optical device for creating non-spectral colour images. The relief optical device includes a set of areas of unspecified shape, filled with relief periodic diffraction patterns having two levels of depth, whereby according to the invention the period of the patterns (2) in the areas (3) varies from an area to an area in random order within the range from 0,6μm to 5μm, preferably with a step less than 0,050μm, the angle of inclination of the grooves (φ) of the patterns varies from an area to an area in random order from 0 to 180 degrees with a step less than 0,7 degrees, the size of the areas (3) is within the range from 5μm to 50μm and the depth of the relief (h) of the patterns (2), which preferably varies within the limits of 0,1 - 0,8μm, determines the colour hue of the non-spectral colours.
Abstract:
The invention refers to a color holographic foil for protection of goods and documents from forgery and falsification. It includes successively placed foil base (1), release layer (2), embossing layer (3), reflective layer (4) and adhesive layer (5). The embossing layer comprises smooth areas (6) and micro-relief areas (7). The thickness of the optical reflective layer (4) is inversely proportional to the depth of the depressions in the micro-relief areas. At least two of the micro-relief areas are dyed areas (10) with embossing layer colored with a dye in different saturations of a single color tone. The saturation is directly proportional to the depth of the depressions. At least one dyed area is a multi-bonded area (11), having at least one micro-relief boundary (12) and at least one smooth boundary (13). The topography of the micro-relief in said multi-bonded areas is different from the topography of the neighboring dyed areas.