Plasmonic Security Component Angle-Dependent Color Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical security components for document authentication, particularly those with plasmonic effects, are difficult for inexperienced users to authenticate in transmission mode due to their complexity and lack of intuitive visual cues.

Innovation Solution

A plasmonic security component comprising two layers of transparent dielectric material with a metal layer in between, featuring structured undulations that couple surface plasmon modes with incident light, allowing for easy and reliable authentication through color variation with angle of observation, and potentially including complementary patterns for enhanced visual contrast.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plasmonic effect optical components are used for transmission authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in visual verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidease of visual verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by designing the optical component to exhibit angle-dependent color variation in transmission mode. The plasmonic structure causes different wavelengths of light to be transmitted at different angles, creating visible color changes that are easy for users to observe and verify, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining authentication reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the optical properties of the component dynamic rather than static. The transmission characteristics change dynamically with the angle of observation, allowing users to verify authenticity by simply changing their viewing angle and observing color variations, making authentication both reliable and user-friendly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If complex plasmonic structures are used, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the geometric parameters of the plasmonic structure, such as the period, depth, and shape of surface undulations. By optimizing these parameters, the invention achieves strong angle-dependent color variation effects that provide high authentication security while keeping the structural design relatively simple and manufacturable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If angle-dependent color variation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of visual verificationVSAvoidundulation structure precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial or excessive action by designing undulation structures with sufficient depth and pronounced geometric features. This ensures that the angle-dependent color variation effect is strong and easily observable even with moderate manufacturing tolerances, reducing the stringency of precision requirements while maintaining user-friendly authentication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 component provides a secure and user-friendly authentication method by enabling easy visual verification of authenticity through angle-dependent color changes, offering high reliability and resistance to counterfeiting.

Implementation Method 1

structured to form, on at least a portion of its surface, undulations capable of coupling surface plasmon modes supported by said dielectric-metal interfaces with an incident light wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface plasmon coupling: Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 2

a plasmonic effect optical security component, which can be controlled in transmission with the naked eye with great ease and security

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasmonic effect: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2695006B2Optical safety component having a transmissive effect, manufacture of such a component, and secure document provided with such a component
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 SURYS
  • EP2695006B2 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2695006B2 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2695006B2 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

According to one aspect, the invention relates to an optical safety component having a plasmonic effect intended to be observed by transmission, including two layers (101, 103) made of a transparent dielectric material, a metal layer (102) that is arranged between said layers made of dielectric material to form two dielectric-metal interfaces (105, 106), and is structured to form on at least a portion thereof corrugations (104) that are capable of coupling surface plasmon modes supported by said dielectric-metal interfaces with an incident light wave. The corrugations are arranged in a first coupling area in a first main direction and in at least one second coupling area separate from said first coupling area, in a second main direction that is substantially perpendicular to said first main direction, said metal layer being continuous on each one of said coupling areas.