Laser-Processed Security Feature With Colored Hole Borders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security features for documents and data carriers, such as identification cards and banknotes, lack effective methods to enhance protection against imitation while simplifying manufacturability, particularly in using laser radiation to create recognizable color effects and perforations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving laser radiation with intensity distribution across the beam cross-section to create holes with specific diameters and edge modifications, arranged to cover an area, where holes are densely packed to ensure a strong color effect and translucency, allowing for a motif to be encoded both on the surface and in transmitted light, with optional use of marking substances that change color or properties under laser exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser radiation with intensity distribution is used to create holes with colored borders, then security recognition and counterfeit protection are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for specific hole spacing and border width control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in laser radiation parameters (intensity distribution across the beam cross-section) to achieve different effects at different radial positions. The intensity is highest at the center for hole creation and decreases toward the edges for border formation, allowing simultaneous control of hole diameter and border width through a single process parameter adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a marking material as an intermediary substance that is applied to the carrier before laser treatment. This material undergoes controlled chemical or physical changes when exposed to laser radiation, forming the colored border and simplifying the direct control of border properties without requiring extremely precise control of the laser beam edge intensity distribution
2Reliability
If multiple laser beams of different intensity are used to achieve large color effect, then security recognition is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam's intensity profile across its cross-section, with different radial zones performing different functions: the central high-intensity region creates holes while the peripheral lower-intensity regions create colored borders. This spatial segmentation of intensity within a single beam eliminates the need for multiple separate beams
Solution Approach 2:
The single laser beam with intensity distribution performs multiple functions simultaneously: it creates holes in the carrier, forms colored borders around the holes, and can control the width of these borders. This multi-functionality is achieved through the radial intensity variation within the beam, making one beam equivalent to multiple beams of different intensities
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 enhances security features by creating a complex, difficult-to-imitate color and translucency effect, improving recognition in both plan view and transmitted light, while maintaining simplicity in production, thereby increasing the security and authenticity of documents.
Implementation Method 1
holes of a certain diameter are introduced into the carrier by the action of laser radiation with intensity distribution in the beam cross-section
Implementation Method 2
holes of a certain diameter are introduced into the carrier by the action of laser radiation
Implementation Method 3
the carrier is modified by the laser radiation due to the intensity distribution over the beam cross-section in a zone of certain width surrounding the rim, so that the rim is colored
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a security feature for a security element, a security paper or a data carrier, which comprises a substrate (18), wherein the substrate (18) is provided with a marking substance (19), which can be modified in its colour by laser radiation (44), holes (16) that have a rim and are of a certain hole cross section (C) are introduced into the substrate (18) by the effect of laser radiation (44) that is distributed in intensity in the beam cross section (30), wherein at the same time, on account of the intensity distribution (30) over the beam cross section, the marking substance (19) is modified by the laser radiation (44) in a zone (20) that surrounds the rim and is of a certain zone width (A) such that the ring is coloured, wherein the holes (16) perforate an area (14) and all neighbouring holes within the area (14) are arranged at a centre-to-centre hole spacing (D) from one another that is no greater than 2.5 times the sum of the maximum hole diameter and twice the zone width (A).