Plasmonic Anti-Counterfeit Structure Using Infrared Photoconversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-counterfeit technologies are ineffective in preventing reuse and discrimination, as they can be reproduced and lack encoding, making it difficult for users to identify genuine products and prevent counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A structure incorporating a metal layer, a photoconversion pattern layer with nanoparticles, and a metal pattern layer that utilizes a gap plasmon polariton phenomenon to create a visible pattern when irradiated with infrared light, making it impossible to reassemble after deformation and allowing easy identification of genuine products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anti-counterfeit technologies (braille, hologram, special inks) are used, then product identification is provided, but counterfeiting and reuse cannot be effectively prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-counterfeit structure is divided into multiple functional layers: a metal layer, a photoconversion pattern layer with nanoparticles, a metal pattern layer, and an adhesive film. Each layer performs a specific function, and their combination creates the complete anti-counterfeit effect. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability through layered functionality while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials combining metal nanoparticles with photoconversion nanoparticles (such as up-converting nanoparticles) in a multi-layer structure. This composite approach enables the structure to exhibit both plasmonic properties (for optical manipulation) and photoconversion properties (for infrared-to-visible light transformation), thereby achieving superior anti-counterfeit effectiveness that cannot be obtained with single materials.
2Reliability
If encoding patterns are added to prevent reproduction, then counterfeiting is discouraged, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Encoding patterns are pre-formed on the metal layer and metal pattern layer before final assembly. The photoconversion pattern layer is also prepared in advance with its specific nanoparticle distribution. These preliminary preparations ensure that when the layers are assembled, the encoding patterns are already in place, providing anti-reproduction capability without adding complex post-assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoding patterns are created as precise copies or replicas of designated designs during the manufacturing process. By forming these patterns directly into the metal and photoconversion layers using standardized fabrication techniques, the system achieves high anti-reproduction capability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through repeatable copying processes.
3Ease of operation
If a visible pattern is created under infrared light, then genuine products are easily identified, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The photoconversion nanoparticles in the pattern layer absorb infrared light and convert it to visible light, causing the encoding patterns to become visible only under infrared illumination. This color change effect (from invisible in visible light to visible under infrared) enables easy product identification by consumers using simple infrared light sources, while the underlying multi-layer structure provides the necessary functionality without excessive complexity.
4Reliability
If the structure is made impossible to reassemble after deformation, then reuse is prevented, but manufacturing and assembly become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The encoding patterns on the metal layer and metal pattern layer are designed with asymmetric features that do not align when the structure is deformed or reassembled incorrectly. This asymmetry ensures that even if someone attempts to disassemble and reassemble the structure, the patterns will not match, making reuse impossible. The asymmetric design is integrated into the manufacturing process, so it does not significantly complicate assembly.
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 structure effectively prevents counterfeiting and reuse by creating a unique visible pattern under infrared light, making it impossible to reassemble and easily identifiable, thus discouraging reproduction and facilitating accurate discrimination.
Implementation Method 1
a photoconversion pattern layer including a plurality of photoconverting nanoparticles formed on the metal layer
Implementation Method 2
A gap plasmon polariton phenomenon may take place between the metal layer and the metal pattern layer
Data Source
AI summary
A plasmonic structure having an identifier pattern indicating a genuine product for preventing counterfeiting, falsification or reuse, includes a metal layer; a photoconversion pattern layer including a plurality of photoconverting nanoparticles disposed in a pattern on and in direct contact with the metal layer; a metal pattern layer including a plurality of metal particles disposed in a pattern on and in direct contact with the photoconversion pattern layer; and an adhesive film disposed on the metal pattern layer. An identifier pattern indicating a genuine product is easily identified even by visual inspection after irradiation with infrared light irradiation. The plasmonic structure is fundamentally impossible to re-assemble after deformation of the plasmonic structure caused by disassembly of a product or packaging container, thereby preventing counterfeiting, falsification or reuse.