Laser-Induced Fluorescent Marking Without Added Pigments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating fluorescent properties in materials, such as card-shaped data carriers, require the introduction of additional substances like fluorescent pigments, which adds complexity and cost to the production process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a laser to selectively irradiate the surface of a material, generating a fluorescent property by creating traces of smoke on the material's surface, thereby altering the material's chemical structure to exhibit fluorescence without the need for additional substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorescent pigments are introduced into the material, then fluorescent property is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for fluorescent pigments and additional substances from the material structure. Instead of introducing external fluorescent agents, the invention uses laser irradiation to directly modify the existing material structure, extracting the fluorescent property generation from the pigment introduction process and achieving fluorescence through controlled ablation and smoke trace formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical approach (introducing fluorescent pigments) with a physical approach (laser irradiation). The laser beam selectively irradiates the material surface, creating smoke traces that exhibit fluorescent properties when exposed to UV light, thereby substituting chemical pigment introduction with physical energy input and structural modification.
2Reliability
If fluorescent pigments are introduced into the material, then fluorescent property is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser irradiation process performs the fluorescent property generation in a single step during or after material production, rather than requiring separate pigment introduction and processing steps. The selective irradiation creates the fluorescent smoke traces directly on the material surface, eliminating the need for additional production stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the material through laser irradiation, transforming the surface structure to create fluorescent smoke traces. By controlling laser parameters (power, duration, pattern), the fluorescent property is generated through parameter-driven structural modification rather than through material composition changes requiring additional substances.
3Reliability
If additional substances are applied to the material, then fluorescent property is achieved, but material purity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fluorescent property generation from the domain of additional substance introduction and places it in the domain of physical structural modification. The laser irradiation creates smoke traces from the material itself or from controlled ablation products, eliminating the need for external fluorescent substances and preserving material purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The material itself serves as the source of fluorescent properties through laser-induced smoke trace formation. The selective irradiation causes localized ablation or chemical changes in the material that create fluorescent smoke traces, allowing the material to generate its own fluorescent property without requiring external fluorescent agents or additives.
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 generation of fluorescent properties in materials without additional production steps, offering design versatility and enhanced security features, particularly suitable for card-shaped data carriers.
Implementation Method 1
at least section wise irradiating a surface of the material with the laser
Implementation Method 2
a fluorescent property is generated in the irradiated areas
Implementation Method 3
The term 'traces of smoke' refers to a certain degree of yellowish discoloration of the surface, which is caused by the laser energy applied and the associated combustion processes on the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating an at least partial fluorescent property in a material is provided. The method comprises providing the material, providing a laser, arranging the material in a beam path of the laser such that the laser can selectively section wise irradiate the material, and at least section wise irradiating a surface of the material with the laser. The at least sectionwise irradiating of the surface of the material with the laser is performed until visible traces of smoke are formed on the irradiated areas of the surface of the material, whereby a fluorescent property is generated in the irradiated areas.