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3D chiral color prints for anti-counterfeiting
H L Liu1, Bing Zhang, Tian Gao
1Measurement Technology & Instrumentation Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China. liuhl@ysu.edu.cn.
Nanoscale
|March 13, 2019
Summary
This study introduces 3D chiral color printing, an anti-counterfeiting technique using plasmonic colors visible under specific polarized light. This novel method offers enhanced security for documents and products.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics
- Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Traditional anti-counterfeiting methods face challenges with sophisticated replication techniques.
- The need for advanced optical security features is growing in various industries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel anti-counterfeiting technology using 3D chiral color printing.
- To explore the chiroptical properties of double-layer arcs for distinct color generation under different polarized lights.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing double-layer arcs as 3D chiral color pixels.
- Investigating asymmetric and symmetric plasmon coupling modes for LCP and RCP light responses.
- Tuning arc lengths to control and achieve a wide range of colors.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a plasmonic color print visible under left-handed circular polarized (LCP) light and a different image under right-handed circular polarized (RCP) light.
- Achieved a broad spectrum of colors, with RCP and LCP colors occupying 32% and 19% of the sRGB space, respectively.
- Developed an algorithm for embedding covert circular-polarized color images.
Conclusions:
- 3D chiral color printing offers a robust anti-counterfeiting solution with tunable optical properties.
- The technology has significant potential for applications in optical security, document authentication, and product protection.
- This method provides a unique approach to visual security through polarization-dependent color generation.
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