Hologram Production Using Virtual Light Sources and Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing holograms, such as those used in security documents, suffer from undesired diffraction effects at transitions and limitations in the optical effects that can be generated, making them susceptible to forgery and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving virtual hologram planes and light sources arranged around virtual models, where virtual electromagnetic fields are calculated and combined to create phase images, which are then used to calculate a height profile incorporated into a substrate, producing holograms with enhanced complexity and security against manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If holograms are produced by dividing images into partial regions and gridding diffraction gratings, then the production process is simplified, but undesired diffraction effects occur at transitions and optical effects are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses computer-generated holograms (CGH) to create virtual models that are then used to generate the actual hologram pattern. Instead of physically dividing and gridding diffraction gratings, the invention calculates the interference pattern from virtual light sources illuminating a virtual object, producing a complete hologram without physical segmentation. This copying approach eliminates transition artifacts while maintaining production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical process of physically gridding diffraction gratings with computer-based calculation of electromagnetic field interference patterns. By using numerical methods to simulate light propagation and interference from virtual sources, the system eliminates the need for physical manipulation and gridding operations, thereby avoiding the diffraction effects that occur at physical transition boundaries.
2Productivity
If conventional holographic methods are used with coherent light beams and interference patterns, then holograms can be produced, but the security against forgery and manipulation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of hologram generation by using computer-calculated electromagnetic field patterns instead of conventional optical interference methods. The invention incorporates multiple virtual light sources with different positions, intensities, and spectral characteristics, creating complex phase and amplitude distributions that are much harder to replicate. This parameter diversification maintains production capability while significantly enhancing security against forgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite hologram structure by combining information from multiple virtual light sources and multiple virtual objects into a single interference pattern. The resulting hologram contains superimposed phase and amplitude information that requires precise reconstruction of all contributing parameters, making forgery extremely difficult while maintaining the ability to produce authentic holograms through computational methods.
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 method enables the production of holograms with high complexity and optical effects that are difficult to imitate, providing significantly improved security against forgery and manipulation, as the holograms are characterized by their intricate design and optical variability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more virtual electromagnetic fields are calculated starting from at least one of the virtual light sources in one or more zones of the one or more virtual hologram planes
Implementation Method 2
the light reflected by the three-dimensional model is superimposed with a coherent reference light beam and the interference pattern forming hereby is recorded
Implementation Method 3
diffractive structures are used as security elements, for example diffraction gratings or holograms
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a hologram (1), (1) for security elements (1a) and/or security documents (1b). One or more virtual hologram planes (10) are arranged in front of and/or behind one or more virtual models (20) and/or one or more virtual hologram planes (10) are arranged such that they intersect one or more virtual models (20). One or more virtual light sources (30) are arranged on one or more partial regions of the surface (21) of one or more of the virtual models (20). One or more virtual electromagnetic fields (40) are calculated starting from at least one of the virtual light sources (30) in one or more zones (11) of the one or more virtual hologram planes (10). In the one or more zones (11), in each case, a virtual total electromagnetic field (41) is calculated on the basis of the sum of two or more, of the virtual electromagnetic fields (40) in the respective zone (11). One or more phase images (50) are calculated from the virtual total electromagnetic fields (41) in the one or more zones (11). A height profile (60) of the hologram (1) is calculated from the one or more phase images (50) and the height profile (60) of the hologram (1) is incorporated into a substrate (2) to provide the hologram (1).