Optically variable security element and method for manufacturing an optically variable security element

Abstract

The invention relates to an optically variable security element, which has a layer sequence when viewed from the upper side. The layer sequence comprises a microstructure (2) which provides a visual object visible from the upper side, which has a period of 2 pm to 50 pm and is achromatic. Furthermore, the layer sequence has a reflective layer (4) arranged on the microstructure (2) and a viewing-angle-dependent layer (6; 14), which reflects incident light, wherein either the reflective layer (4) or the viewing-angle-dependent layer (6; 14) has at least one recess (15) and the other of the two layers is unstructured, wherein the layer with the recess (15) lies above the other unstructured layer when viewed from the upper side. Instead of a recess and a reflective layer, the security element can have an unstructured viewing-angle-dependent layer (6; 14) and an unstructured partially light-transmissive reflective layer (16; 18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an optically variable security element having a microstructure providing a visual object visible from the upper side, a reflection layer and a viewing angle dependent layer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing or rather generating a corresponding optically variable security element.

[0002] An optically variable security element is known from EP 1506096 B1. By a combination of an achromatic surface structure and a thin-film structure, a defined color change is generated upon rotating or tilting the security element.

[0003] A security element is also known from WO 01 / 03945 A1. By a combination of a diffractive surface structure and a layer having color change properties thereunder, a visual effect is generated in order to thereby increase the security safety of the security element.

[0004] An optically variable security element is also known from EP 2390106 A2. By a combination of a diffractive surface structure and a thin-film structure, an optically variable effect is generated, the diffractive surface structure being coated with a thin metallization, such that it remains partially light-transmissive.

[0005] The invention should provide an optically variable security element and a method for producing an optically variable security element, the optically variable security element having a layer sequence and a microstructure when viewed from the upper side.

[0006] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Advantageous extensions are specified in the dependent claims. Preferred extensions apply to the optically variable security element and the method for producing an optically variable security element.

[0007] An optically variable security element having a layer sequence and a microstructure is provided. The microstructure presents at least one visual object (or rather pattern) on the upper side of the optically variable security element. The microstructure is for example embossed into an embossing lacquer on a carrier substrate. The microstructure has structure elements which are arranged periodically with a period of 2 to 50 pm at regular intervals. The individual structure elements are unique in themselves, they are not necessarily all identical. The term "periodically" only relates to the arrangement of the structure elements at regular intervals.

[0008] The structure elements are uniquely, for example with respect to a main plane determined by the essentially flat design of the carrier substrate, designed obliquely such that the structure elements jointly present at least one visual object. According to the present application, the periodic microstructure is for example also a sawtooth structure or a corrugated structure etc. with a unique tooth slope when the microstructure is viewed in a sectional view. By the period of 2 to 50 pm, the diffraction phenomena only slightly influence the optical properties.

[0009] Each structural element serves for example as a pixel arranged on the surface of the carrier substrate. The pixels are arranged periodically. Each pixel forms for example a split lens of the optical action and produces a unique optical effect by its orientation, thus a plurality of visual objects or visual object movements or visual object effects are presented by the microstructure in dependence on the angle of inclination.

[0010] The microstructure is achromatic. Achromatic microstructures do not produce color effects. They appear colorless to the observer. Thus, although visual objects are provided by the microstructure which are visible from above, in particular in dependence on the angle of inclination, there is no color effect due to the achromatic property of the microstructure, so the visual objects are not polychromatic. Examples of achromatic microstructures are achromatic glitter structures, symmetrical microstructures, for example sinusoidal gratings, or matt structures. As achromatic microstructures, glitter structures, for example sawtooth gratings, and achromatic symmetrical microstructures, for example sinusoidal gratings, are preferably used.

[0011] In the method for producing the optically variable security element, the described microstructure is formed on the carrier substrate. This is preferably achieved by embossing, for example in an embossing lacquer.

[0012] The layer sequence of the optically variable security element has a reflective layer and an angle-of-view-dependent layer.

[0013] The reflective layer can have at least one of the following layers: a metal layer, a color layer producing a polychromatic visual impression and a colored / transparent resist.

[0014] The reflective layer, in cooperation with the microstructure, causes a change in the intensity of the incident light and thus enables the visual objects produced by the action of the microstructure to be well seen with the naked eye. Thus, the visual objects are visible in the area of the security element in which the reflective layer is present. The high-refractive layer is the reflective layer.

[0015] The angle-of-view-dependent layer produces a color impression which depends on the angle of observation (so-called OVD). The color of the area of the optically variable security element in which the angle-of-view-dependent layer can be seen changes depending on the illumination or the direction of observation.

[0016] Preferably, the viewing-angle-dependent layer is designed as a color-shifting layer system with a layer sequence consisting of a partially light-transmissive reflector layer, a dielectric spacer layer and a reflector layer. Preferably, the viewing-angle-dependent layer has an optically variable ink which produces a color effect dependent on the viewing angle. The optically variable ink is a preferably colorless substance which is mixed with optically variable pigments. The pigments have, for example, a symmetrical thin-layer structure which effects a color change dependent on the viewing angle by means of an interference effect, for example from green to blue or from magenta to green. The pigments are present, for example, in platelet form and have a lateral dimension preferably in the range from 1 μm to 200 μm, particularly preferably in the range from 10 μm to 50 μm. The thickness of the platelets is preferably in the range from 200 nm to 10 μm, particularly preferably in the range from 350 nm to 1500 nm.

[0017] The optically variable security element thus comprises a microstructure designed on / in a carrier substrate and a layer sequence as explained, which has a reflective layer and a viewing-angle-dependent layer. The reflective layer and the viewing-angle-dependent layer can be designed in two variants.

[0018] In the first variant, both layers are above the microstructure, and the layer above, i.e. the reflective layer or the viewing-angle-dependent layer, has at least one recess. The other of the two layers is unstructured. The layer with the recess is above the other unstructured layer, viewed from the top side, in the layer sequence. Unstructured means that this layer has no recess. However, this layer can be entirely embossed, i.e. have a structured surface.

[0019] The recess effects that, in the recess, the optical effect of the lower layer can be seen and, outside the recess, the optical effect of the upper layer can be seen. The recess thus produces a second visual object.

[0020] If the upper layer is the viewing-angle-dependent layer, the optically variable security element is perceived from the top with a coloring dependent on the viewing angle. In the recess, only the reflective layer, which is below in the layer sequence, comes into play, so that, viewed from the top, in the recess the visual object produced by the reflective layer is perceived, without the color impression dependent on the viewing angle, which is present in addition, being perceived. The second visual object is thus the recess in which the OVD color impression is not present.

[0021] If the upper layer is the reflective layer, the visual object is visible from the top; due to the masking effect of the reflective layer, however, there is no OVD color impression. Conversely, in the recess, the viewing-angle-dependent layer, which is arranged lower, comes into play, so that in the recess the color impression dependent on the viewing angle is perceived, but the visual object is not perceived since there is no reflective layer there. In this case, only the color effect dependent on the viewing angle is apparent in the recess.

[0022] In the method for producing an optically secure element according to the first variant, a reflective layer is applied to the microstructure and a viewing-angle-dependent layer is applied to the carrier substrate or to the reflective layer, wherein at least one recess is opened in the reflective layer or in the viewing-angle-dependent layer and the other of the two layers remains unstructured. Here, the layer in which the recess is opened is situated above the other layer, viewed from the top. This makes production easier and facilitates the effect of the security.

[0023] If, in the first variant, the recess is provided in the reflective layer or in the viewing-angle-dependent layer, the area coverage of the recess should preferably be between 10% and 90%, particularly preferably between 30% and 70%.

[0024] The recess in the reflective layer or in the viewing-angle-dependent layer can be produced in different ways, which will be explained below. Of course, a plurality of recesses can also be produced.

[0025] In one alternative, a cleaning ink is printed onto the microstructure in the regions in which the recess should be produced in the layer before the layer is applied. The layer is applied to the microstructure only after the cleaning ink has been applied to these regions. The cleaning ink is then removed from the microstructure by bringing the cleaning ink into contact with a medium in which the cleaning ink is soluble, for example water, whereby the upper layer is also removed in the regions in which the microstructure was printed with the cleaning ink. Here, the adjacent regions of the layer in which no cleaning ink was applied below the layer are not affected.

[0026] In another alternative, after the layer has been applied to the microstructure, a resist is applied regionally, in the regions in which no recess is to be produced, in order to open the recess into the layer. In a subsequent etching step, only the regions which are not covered by the resist are etched, thereby producing the recess in the layer.

[0027] In another alternative, the recess in the layer is produced by laser ablation. Here, short light pulses with high intensity are guided in a grid-like manner over the surface of the reflective layer, whereby the reflective layer is removed at the locations which are exposed to the light and a recess is thereby formed in the reflective layer. Here, the region in which the recess is to be provided is scanned by short laser pulses with high intensity. In the regions which are covered by the laser pulses, the layer is removed and the layer which is situated below the layer becomes visible when viewed from the top.

[0028] In another alternative, the recesses in the layer are produced by transfer. Here, the surface of the microstructure is treated or coated before the application of the layer in such a way that the adhesion of the layer is poor. The film with good adhesion properties is then structured according to the recesses that should be formed, in that the regions in which the recesses are to be formed project axially from the other regions and the projecting regions of the film are pressed directly against the microstructure with the layer on it. The structured film is then removed again and the layer detaches from the microstructure in the treated regions and remains adhered to the structured film in the projecting regions, thus forming the recesses. In the case of the opposite adhesion properties, the same effect can preferably be achieved. This means that the metal is first applied to the structured film, which has axially projecting and lowered surface regions, and then partially transferred to the microstructure in that the microstructure has better adhesion properties in the regions than the structured film. In other alternatives of the transfer, the regions in which the recesses should be provided are designed as flat regions that project axially from the adjacent structured regions. The film with better adhesion properties can then be designed as unstructured, and the metal is removed only from the raised flat regions of the microstructure. In the case of the use of colored inks, the microstructure can also be printed directly with the desired recesses.

[0029] If recesses are produced in the viewing-angle-dependent layer, this is preferably achieved in that the microstructure is first coated with a reflective layer and the microstructure is then partially overprinted with optically variable ink. Thus, when viewed from above, the optically variable ink is perceived or seen in the regions and the reflective layer applied on the microstructure is seen in the recesses.

[0030] In an embodiment, the optically variable ink can also be applied over the entire area with a lower particle density. Here, the particle density is chosen in such a way that a certain proportion of the area of the reflective layer is covered by the particles and the remaining area remains uncovered. A surface coverage of 10-90%, preferably 30-70%, can be achieved by diluting the ink accordingly or concentrating the pigments in the matrix. This also achieves the effect that both the regions of the optically variable ink and the regions of the reflective layer are visible when viewed from above.

[0031] The regions without recesses can be present in any shape, wherein the dimensions of the regions in at least one dimension are preferably between 5 μm and 200 μm, particularly preferably between 20 μm and 100 μm. The area coverage of the printed regions is preferably in the value range of 5% to 95%, particularly preferably in the value range of 40% to 60%.

[0032] In a second variant of the optically variable security element, the reflective layer on the microstructure is designed as an unstructured, but partially light-transmissive layer on its surface, and the viewing-angle-dependent layer is located below the microstructure when viewed from the top. The viewing-angle-dependent layer is also unstructured. In the second variant, the incident light is not completely reflected by the reflective layer, but the reflective layer reflects a portion of the incident light and transmits a portion of the incident light. The reflective layer is partially light-transmissive and unstructured in terms of this property. This variant completely dispenses with the structuring step and still shows good results, since the visual object has an OVD color effect.

[0033] In a method for producing the second variant of the optically variable security element, an unstructured, partially light-transmissive reflective layer is applied to the microstructure, and an unstructured viewing-angle-dependent layer is applied to the carrier substrate, for example by means of an adhesive step, so that the viewing-angle-dependent layer is located below the microstructure coated with the reflective layer in the axial direction.

[0034] In the second variant, the microstructure is preferably coated with a partially light-transmissive reflective layer over the entire area, which consists of a transparent material having a high refractive index. The partially light-transmissive reflective layer preferably has a refractive index greater than 2. An example of such a partially light-transmissive reflective layer is a ZnS coating. The coating is preferably applied to the microstructure by vacuum evaporation. The thickness of the high-refractive layer is preferably in the range from 1 nm to 100 nm, particularly preferably in the range from 10 nm to 50 nm. Such a partially light-transmissive reflective layer reflects and transmits a considerable portion of the incident light, respectively. Thereby, on the one hand, the optically variable effect of the microstructure coated with the partially light-transmissive reflective layer remains visible, so that a visual object is generated, and on the other hand, the viewing-angle-dependent layer arranged below the microstructure generates an optical effect, so that the entire area is perceived as having a coloration depending on the viewing angle when the entire area is viewed from the top. Here, the viewing-angle-dependent layer can preferably be designed as a colorshift layer system, as already described; however, the viewing-angle-dependent layer can also be an optically variable ink.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment of the second variant, the partially light-transmissive reflective layer can be a thin metal layer, the layer thickness of which is selected such that the incident light is only partially reflected at the layer. The effect is then similar to that produced by a high-refractive coating. The thin metal layer preferably has a layer thickness of 1 nm to 30 nm, particularly preferably 1 nm to 8 nm. The metal is preferably applied to the microstructure by vacuum evaporation.

[0036] It is preferred that the partially light-transmissive layer can also be additionally structured. This can be achieved, for example, by the methods already described, i.e. laser ablation, application of a wash-off ink, etching or the like. Further visual objects can thereby be generated.

[0037] In terms of the recesses referred to here, it can also comprise a plurality of recesses which are not connected to one another.

[0038] The application is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 Optically variable security element in the first variant is shown in a sectional view;

[0040] Figure 2 Optically variable security element in the first variant is shown when viewed from the upper side;

[0041] Figure 3 Optically variable security element in the first variant is shown in a sectional view in a further embodiment;

[0042] Figure 4 Optically variable security element in the first variant is shown in a further embodiment when viewed from the upper side;

[0043] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Optically variable security element in the second variant is shown in a sectional view; and

[0044] Figure 7 Optically variable security element in the second variant is shown when viewed from the upper side.

[0045] In Figure 1 , the optically variable security element is shown in a sectional view. The microstructure 2 and the layer sequence can be seen. The microstructure 2, which provides the visual object, is on the carrier substrate 1, generally on the upper side of the carrier substrate. The microstructure 2 is applied, for example, into an embossing lacquer on the carrier substrate 1. The design of the microstructure 2 has already been described. The microstructure 2 is regionally coated with a reflective layer 4 which makes the visual object provided by the microstructure 2 visible, so that in the region coated, at least one recess 15 is provided in which the reflective layer 4 is not applied to the microstructure 2 in the first place or is subsequently removed. A further visual object is produced by this recess 15. The reflective layer 4 can preferably have at least one of the following layers: a metal layer, a color layer which produces a polychromatic visual impression, a monochromatic or transparent resist.

[0046] A viewing-angle-dependent layer is arranged below the carrier substrate 1, generally on the bottom side thereof. The viewing-angle-dependent layer itself does not produce a visual object, but imparts a color impression to the optically variable security element which is dependent on or rather a function of the viewing angle of the observer. For example, Figure 1The viewing angle-dependent layer is the color shift layer system 6, which consists of a partially transparent reflector layer 8, a dielectric spacer layer 10, and a reflector layer 12. Alternatively, the viewing angle-dependent layer can be an optically variable ink 14. The composition of the optically variable ink 14 has been described.

[0047] exist Figure 2 The middle is shown when viewed from above. Figure 1 The optically variable anti-counterfeiting element is shown in a cross-sectional view. (If viewed from above...) Figure 1 The anti-counterfeiting element in the device has a reflective layer 4 visible in some areas and a blank space 15 visible in other areas, the blank space having a color shift layer system 6 arranged below the reflective layer 4.

[0048] According to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the optically variable anti-counterfeiting element, microstructure 2 is formed on a carrier substrate 1. The microstructure is preferably formed by an embossing process, such as embossing in an embossing varnish on the carrier substrate 1. The microstructure 2 has a period of 2 μm to 50 μm and is achromatic. The structure of the microstructure 2 has been described. The microstructure 2 provides at least one visual object, but appears colorless when viewed from above due to its achromatic properties. Examples of achromatic microstructure 2 have also been described. A shimmering structure can be regionally described as a linear structure and can be identified as a jagged outline in a cross-sectional view (see [link to documentation]). Figure 1 Since the period of microstructure 2 ranges from 2 μm to 50 μm, diffraction has only a slight effect on optical properties. Therefore, microstructure 2 acts like a tilted mirror; it does not produce color effects. By coating microstructure 2 with reflective layer 4, the visual objects provided by microstructure 2 become visible.

[0049] The view-dependent layer generates a color impression for the observer that depends on the viewing angle. The presence of the blank space 15 ensures that, in areas where the blank space 15 is not provided, when viewed from above, the visual object produced by the interaction of the reflective layer 4 and the microstructure 2 is visible, and the view-dependent layer forms a color impression in the blank space 15 that depends on the viewing angle. Thus, the blank space 15 generates the visual object. Generally, in addition to micro-rasterized blank spaces and macro-rasterized blank spaces, rasterized views, such as halftone images, are also feasible. This blank space 15 in the reflective layer 4 can be generated in different ways and methods, as already described. Possibilities for generating the blank space 15 include applying cleaning ink, applying resist in areas where blank spaces should not be created, generating the blank space 15 by laser ablation, or the transfer method already described. Multiple blank spaces 15 can also be generated, and the shape of the blank space 15 is arbitrary here. The surface coverage of the blank space 15 is, for example, in the range of 10% to 90%, and particularly preferably in the range of 40% to 60%.

[0050] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of an optically variable security element. As in the previous embodiments, a microstructure 2 is applied to a carrier substrate 1. The microstructure 2 is now coated with a reflective layer 4 generally on its upper side. The reflective layer 4 is here unstructured. An optically variable ink 14 or other viewing angle-dependent coating is regionally applied to the reflective layer 4, thus forming a recess 15. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of an optically variable security element. As in the previous embodiments, a microstructure 2 is applied to a carrier substrate 1. The microstructure 2 is now coated with a reflective layer 4 generally on its upper side. The reflective layer 4 is here unstructured. An optically variable ink 14 or other viewing angle-dependent coating is regionally applied to the reflective layer 4, thus forming a recess 15. Figure 4 shows an optically variable security element according to the Figure 3 from above. The optically variable ink 14 can be seen here and the reflective layer 4 underlying it in the recess 15.

[0051] In this embodiment, the reflective layer 4 is partially covered by the optically variable ink 14. Here, all common printing methods are suitable, but particular attention must be paid to the accuracy of the register. It is preferable if the optically variable ink 14 can also be printed over the entire area of the reflective layer 4 and then structured by laser ablation. Here, a high-intensity short laser pulse is scanned over the area of the optically variable ink 14 that is to be removed or modified, thus forming the recess 15. The optically variable ink 14 can preferably also be applied over the entire area with a lower particle density. Here, the particle density is chosen such that a certain proportion of the area of the particles is covered and the remainder of the area remains uncovered (see above).

[0052] If a recess 15 is provided in the viewing angle-dependent layer, the reflective layer 4, which is applied to the microstructure 2 and thus creates a visual object, becomes visible in the recess 15 when viewed from above, which is located below the viewing angle-dependent layer in the layer sequence. In the areas where no recess 15 is provided, the viewing angle-dependent layer creates a viewing angle-dependent color impression. The recess 15 thus also creates a visual object in this case.

[0053] Figure 5 and Figure 6 shows a second variant of an optically variable security element. As in the first variant, a microstructure 2 is applied to a carrier substrate 1 in the embodiment according to the Figure 5 In the embodiment according to the Figure 6 , a partially light-transmissive reflective layer is likewise provided, which in this case is in the form of a thin, unstructured metal layer 18. A viewing angle-dependent layer is arranged on the underside of the carrier substrate 1. In the embodiment according to the Figure 5 , the viewing angle-dependent layer is designed as an optically variable ink 14. In the case of Figure 6 , the viewing angle-dependent layer is designed as a colorshift layer system 6.

[0054] Figure 7 This shows a second variant of the optically variable anti-counterfeiting element viewed from above, which has according to Figure 5 and 6 The structure is such that, in region 20, both the optical effect (creating a visual object) caused by the combination of the partially translucent reflective layer and the microstructure 2 can be seen, as can the viewing angle-dependent color effect caused by the viewing angle-dependent layer. In this variant, no gaps 15 are provided in either the partially translucent reflective layer or the viewing angle-dependent layer. Both layers are unstructured.

[0055] According to Figure 5 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the microstructure 2 is coated entirely with a translucent material having a high refractive index, thereby forming a partially translucent reflective layer. This high-refractive-index coating 16 reflects and transmits a considerable portion of the incident light. Thus, on the one hand, the optically variable effect of the microstructure 2 coated with the high-refractive-index coating 16 remains visible (creating a visual object), and on the other hand, the optically variable ink 14 disposed below ensures that the entire area is perceived by the observer with coloration depending on the viewing angle. The high-refractive-index coating 16 preferably has a refractive index greater than 2. An example of the high-refractive-index coating 16 is a ZnS coating. The material is preferably applied to the microstructure 2 by vacuum evaporation. The thickness of the high-refractive-index layer 16 can range from 1 nm to 100 nm, particularly preferably from 10 nm to 50 nm. Alternatively, the high-refractive-index layer can also be additionally structured. This can be achieved by methods already described, such as laser ablation, application of cleaning ink, or etching.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, according to Figure 6 and Figure 7 A thin metal layer 18 is applied to the upper side of the microstructure 2. This produces almost the same effect as the coating of the microstructure 2 with a high-refractive-index coating 16. The layer thickness is chosen to be very thin, such that incident light is only partially reflected on the thin metal layer 18, thereby allowing the visual object to still be identified by the microstructure 2 coated with the reflective layer 4. Thus, part of the incident light is reflected and part of the incident light is transmitted, so that when viewed from above, the color shifting layer system 6 disposed below the carrier substrate 1 allows the entire area 20 to be perceived with color depending on the viewing angle. Instead of the color shifting layer system 6, an optically variable ink 14 can preferably also be disposed below the microstructure 2. The thin metal layer 18 should preferably have a thickness of 1 nm to 30 nm, and particularly preferably a thickness of 1 nm to 8 nm. The thin metal layer 18 is preferably coated onto the microstructure 2 by vacuum evaporation.

[0057] List of reference numerals

[0058] 1 carrier substrate

[0059] 2 microstructure

[0060] 4 reflective layer

[0061] 6 color shift layer system

[0062] 8 partially light-transmissive reflector layer

[0063] 10 dielectric spacer layer

[0064] 12 reflector layer

[0065] 14 optically variable ink

[0066] 15 recess

[0067] 16 high-refractive layer

[0068] 18 thin metal layer

[0069] 20 region

Claims

1. An optically variable security element, the security element having - a microstructure (2) providing a visual object visible from the upper side, - a reflection layer (4) and a viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) arranged on the microstructure (2), the reflection layer reflecting incident light, characterized in that - the microstructure (2) has a period of 2 pm to 50 pm and is achromatic, and - either the reflection layer (4) or the viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) has at least one cutout (15) and the other one of the two layers is unstructured, wherein the layer having the cutout (15) is on top of the other unstructured layer as seen from the upper side.

2. An optically variable security element, the security element having - a microstructure (2) providing a visual object visible from the upper side, - an unstructured, partially light-transmissive reflection layer (16; 18) arranged on the microstructure (2), and the viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) is below the microstructure (2) as seen from the upper side, characterized in that - an unstructured view-dependent layer (6; 14), wherein, - the microstructure (2) has a period of 2 pm to 50 pm and is achromatic. The partially light-transmissive reflection layer is a high-refractive layer (16). The partially light-transmissive reflection layer is a thin metal layer (18).

3. An optically variable security device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second diffractive structures are arranged to diffract light of different wavelengths in different directions. The viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) is a color shifting layer system (6).

4. An optically variable security device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second diffractive structures are arranged to diffract light of different wavelengths in different directions. The viewing angle dependent layer has an optically variable ink (14).

5. Optically variable security device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 7. A method for producing an optically variable security element, wherein 6. Optically variable security device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that - a microstructure (2) providing a visual object visible from the upper side is applied onto / into a carrier substrate (1), - a reflection layer (4) is applied on the microstructure (2), the reflection layer reflecting incident light, and - a viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) is applied onto the carrier substrate or the reflection layer (4), characterized in that - the microstructure (2) has a period of 2 pm to 50 pm and is achromatic, and - at least one cutout (15) is made in the reflection layer (4) or the viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) and the other one of the two layers remains unstructured, wherein the layer having the cutout (15) is on top of the other unstructured layer as seen from the upper side.

8. A method for producing an optically variable security element, wherein - a microstructure (2) providing a visual object visible from the upper side is applied onto / into a carrier substrate (1), - an unstructured, partially light-transmissive reflection layer (16; 18) is applied onto the microstructure (2), and - an unstructured viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) is applied onto the carrier substrate (1), wherein the viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) is below the microstructure (2) as seen from the upper side, characterized in that - the microstructure (2) has a period of 2 pm to 50 pm and is achromatic. The partially light-transmissive reflection layer is a high-refractive layer (16). The partially light-transmissive reflection layer is a thin metal layer (18).

9. A method for manufacturing an optically variable security device according to claim 8, characterized in that The viewing angle dependent layer is a color shifting layer system (6).

10. A method for manufacturing an optically variable security device according to claim 8, characterized in that The viewing angle dependent layer (6; 14) has an optically variable ink (14).

11. A method for producing an optically variable security element according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that ​ 12. A method for manufacturing an optically variable security device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that ​

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