Laser-Induced Fluorescence Marking Without Added Pigments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating fluorescence in materials, such as card-shaped data carriers, require the introduction of additional substances containing fluorescent pigments, adding complexity and extra production steps.
Innovation Solution
A procedure that uses a laser to create a partial fluorescence effect in materials by selectively irradiating the material with a laser, causing chemical changes that result in fluorescence without the need for additional substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorescent pigments are incorporated into the material layers, then fluorescence effect is achieved, but additional substances and production steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for fluorescent pigments and additional production steps by using laser irradiation to directly induce fluorescence in the existing material structure. The laser selectively modifies specific areas of the material to create fluorescent patterns without requiring incorporation of foreign substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The material itself serves as the fluorescent source through laser-induced chemical changes. The existing material structure is transformed by laser irradiation to exhibit fluorescence properties, eliminating the need for external fluorescent additives. The material essentially modifies itself to achieve the desired fluorescent effect.
2Reliability
If fluorescent pigments are applied to the material surface, then fluorescence is achieved, but additional substances must be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the requirement for additional fluorescent substances by using laser irradiation to directly induce fluorescence in the base material. The process extracts the fluorescent capability from external additives and generates it through energy input to the material's existing molecular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser irradiation changes the chemical or physical parameters of the material in the irradiated areas, transforming non-fluorescent regions into fluorescent regions. This parameter change approach eliminates the need to introduce substances with different chemical compositions, instead modifying the existing material's properties through energy input.
3Reliability
If additional production steps are added for fluorescent features, then fluorescence is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the fluorescence creation process with existing material preparation or finishing steps. By using laser irradiation, the fluorescent pattern can be created in the same production line without requiring separate coating, printing, or lamination steps that would traditionally be needed to apply fluorescent materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical or chemical processes (such as applying fluorescent inks, coatings, or laminates) with a laser-based energy input process. This substitution eliminates the need for physical application of fluorescent substances and their associated production steps, simplifying the manufacturing process.
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
This method allows for the simple and efficient generation of fluorescence on materials, enhancing security features without additional production steps and offering design diversity for fluorescent effects.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating at least section by section of a surface of the material with the laser until soot marks form on the irradiated areas of the material's surface, thereby generating fluorescence in those areas
Implementation Method 2
Fluorescence is generally understood as the spontaneous emission of light shortly after a material is excited by light
Data Source
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Figure 3~5
AI summary
A method (100) for generating at least partial fluorescence in a material (10) is provided. The method (100) comprises providing (110) the material (10), providing (120) a laser (20), arranging the material (130) in a beam path of the laser (20) so that the laser (20) can selectively irradiate the material section by section, and irradiating (140) at least section by section a surface (11) of the material (10) with the laser (20). The irradiation (140) of the surface (11) of the material (10) with the laser (20) continues until visible soot marks (12) form on the irradiated areas (13) of the surface (11) of the material (10), thereby generating fluorescence in the irradiated areas (13).