Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a diffusion grating-based optical identification element is provided. The optical identification element includes a known optical substrate, having an optical diffraction grating disposed in the volume of the substrate. A large number of substrates or microbeads having unique identification codes can be manufactured winding a substrate, such as a fiber, around a polygonal shaped cage/basket to form a fiber ribbon having flatsections. A grating writing station writes one or more gratings into each flat section to form a unique code to this section. Each flat section of fibers of the fiber ribbon is written with the saure gratings to provide the same identification code, or alternatively each flat section may be have a different grating(s) written therein so that each section has a different identification code. The fiber ribbon is then removed from the cage and diced to form a groups of optical identification elements, each group having unique optical identification codes.
Abstract:
An optical identification element 8 includes an optical substrate 10 having at least one diffraction grating 12 disposed therein. The grating 12 has a one or more of colocated pitches Λ which represent a unique identification N bit digital code that is detected when illuminated by incident light 24. The incident light 24 may be directed transversely onto the side or onto an end of the substrate 10 with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The element 8 can provide a large number of unique codes, e.g., greater than 67 million codes, and can withstand harsh environments. The element 8 can be used in any application that requires sorting, tagging, tracking or identification, and can be made on a micron scale "microbeads" if desired, or larger "macro-elements" for larger applications. The code may be digital binary or may be other numerical bases.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a system and method for product verification for use with products intended to be introduced into circulation and including machine readable product data, and comprising a product data storage means, at least one portable reading device for said machine readable product data, wherein the machine readable product data is applied to products and is arranged for inspection by the at least one portable reading device remotely from the product data storage means and at at least one point in the product circulation route, and wherein the at least one portable reading device is arranged to verify the authenticity of the machine readable product data and thereby verify the authenticity of the product itself.
Abstract:
Diffractive indicia for a surface (1) comprising a plurality of small separate diffractive elements (2) and means for adhering the diffractive elements to the surface. Each diffractive element has a diffractive surface relief structure and is not separately resolvable to the human eye. The appearance of the diffractive indicia, when applied to the surface, changes when the viewing angle and/or angle of ilumination relative to the surface changes. In preferred arrangements, the diffractive indicia are incorporated in an ink or a transfer medium. A palette of diffractive indicia with different characteristic colours and other optical properties may be provided.
Abstract:
A process for preparing embossed, finely-divided, thin, bright-metal particles which process comprises forming an embossed release surface (42) to at least one side of a carrier sheet (41), depositing a metal film onto the release surface so that the metal film conforms to the embossed surface, solubilizing the release surface, removing the metal film from the carrier sheet, and breaking the thin metal film into embossed particles having an average diameter of between 25 to 50 microns. The film may also take the form of an optical stack.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a security article for anti-counterfeit (21, 31), authentication and/or tracking purposes, comprising a substrate material (25, 32) including at least one, but preferably several encoded metal holographic platelets, wherein each platelet (22, 33) carries a surface relief diffractive.structure and can be authenticated by inspection of both a holographic device by illumination and visual, eyeglass and magnifier inspection and which can also be authenticated by inspection under magnification of an aperture in the metal platelet carrying an authenticating code.
Abstract:
An optical identification element and a microparticle comprising it, as well as a method of synthesizing a chemical on an optical element. The microbeads (8) have a plurality of unique identification digital codes based on a diffraction grating (12) disposed therein that are detected when illuminated by incident light (24). The incident light (24) may be directed transversely onto the side or onto an end of the tube (14) with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The assay stick (7) may be reused or disposed upon completion of the assay.
Abstract:
Microparticles (8, 72) includes an optical substrate (10) having at least one diffraction grating (12) disposed therein. The grating (12) having a plurality of colocated pitches A which represent a unique identification digital code that is detected when illuminated by incident light (24). The incident light (24) may be directed transversely from the side of the substrate (10) with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The code may be digital binary or may be other numerical bases. The micro-particles (8, 72) can provide a large number of unique codes, e.g., greater than 67 million codes, and can withstand harsh environments. The micro-particles (8) are functionalized by coating them with a material/substance of interest, which are then used to perform multiplexed experiments involving chemical processes, e.g., DNA testing and combinatorial chemistry.
Abstract:
An optical identification element and a microparticle comprising it, as well as a method of synthesizing a chemical on an optical element. The microbeads (8) have a plurality of unique identification digital codes based on a diffraction grating (12) disposed therein that are detected when illuminated by incident light (24). The incident light (24) may be directed transversely onto the side or onto an end of the tube (14) with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The assay stick (7) may be reused or disposed upon completion of the assay.
Abstract:
An optical structure body (3) having a plurality of minute optical unit areas (4) is provided on a substrate (2). Each of the minute optical unit areas (4) has a plurality of types of minute divisions (A, B) recorded with a depth which is phase information on a Fourier transform image of the original image made into a multinary value. Alternatively, each pair of adjacent minute optical unit areas (4) has a plurality of types of minute divisions (A, B) recorded with a depth which is a Fourier transform image of the original image made into a multinary value.