Hologram Production with Multi-Spectral Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hologram production methods are vulnerable to counterfeiting, as they are relatively easy for forgers to replicate, and there is a need for a more secure and verifiable hologram that increases production difficulty for counterfeiters while maintaining reliability.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for producing holograms with adjoining areas of different spectral colors, where each area is exposed to monochromatic light of specific colors, creating a hologram that requires coherent light of matching spectral colors for accurate reproduction, and an individualization pattern is incorporated using a spatial light modulator to enhance security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hologram production methods are used, then the production process is simple and easy to replicate, but the security against counterfeiting is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against counterfeitingVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hologram is divided into multiple adjoining areas, each exposed to monochromatic light of different spectral colors. This segmentation creates a multi-colored hologram where each area has distinct spectral properties, making counterfeiting more difficult while maintaining a manageable production process through systematic sequential exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the hologram are exposed to light of different spectral colors (wavelengths), creating local variations in optical properties. Each area has optimized diffraction characteristics for its specific wavelength, enhancing overall security through spatially differentiated quality attributes that are difficult to replicate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a hologram is exposed to multiple spectral colors in different areas, then counterfeiting difficulty increases, but the production time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification reliabilityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The production process uses periodic sequential exposure, where the holographic recording material is systematically exposed to monochromatic light of different spectral colors in a repeating cycle. Each area receives its designated wavelength in sequence, enabling efficient multi-color hologram production without excessive time loss through structured periodic action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The exposure process continues sequentially across different areas and wavelengths without interruption. The holographic recording material moves continuously through the exposure zones, maintaining productive action throughout the entire production cycle and minimizing idle time between different spectral exposures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If an individualization pattern is incorporated into the hologram, then security is enhanced, but the device complexity and production difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividualization securityVSAvoidspatial light modulator integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A spatial light modulator is introduced as an intermediary device between the light source and the holographic recording material. This mediator modulates the coherent light to imprint individualization patterns during exposure, enabling enhanced security features while keeping the overall production system manageable through the use of a specialized intermediate component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting hologram is more difficult to counterfeit, as it requires precise spectral color matching for reproduction, and the individualization pattern adds a high-security feature that can be verified through diffraction efficiency analysis, making it challenging for forgers to produce a convincing fake.

Implementation Method 1

The hologram is generated by interference with the incident light and the hologram is imaged in the holographic recording material and stored in the holographic recording material by photochemical or photophysical processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochemical process: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

The hologram is generated by interference with the incident light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 3

It penetrates the holographic recording material and is diffracted or reflected by the master

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

In order to individualize holograms, the coherent light can be modulated by a spatial light modulator. As a result, an individualization pattern is impressed on the hologram

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP2208117B1Method and device for producing holograms as security elements
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2208117B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2208117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2208117B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and to a device for producing a hologram (15) as a security feature, a hologram (15) and a security document provided with said type of hologram (15). The claimed hologram (15) is preferably individualised and consists of partial holograms that are arranged next to each other and produced with various spectral colours.