Bi-path color tunable plasmonic micro-nano hybrid structures for encrypted printing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Colored information perception relies on light interaction with materials.
• Plasmonic spectra modulation offers a route to generate colors.
• Existing plasmonic color-printing lacks advanced information encryption capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fine color modulation strategy for information encryption using plasmonic effects.
• To construct noble-metal-based micro-nano hybrid structures via a dual-path approach.
• To explore the potential for hidden information display and color image switching.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a bi-path strategy involving photo-thermal deformation and liquid-phase chemical reactions.
• Ablating Ag/Ta2O5 bi-layer films with a nanosecond pulsed laser.
• Forming and subsequently dissolving silver nanoparticles in KCl solution for shape modulation.

Main Results:

• Achieved precise plasmonic spectra shifts in the visible region by controlling nano-Ag particle size and spacing.
• Demonstrated the ability to hide colored information by adjusting laser processing parameters (scan number, energy density).
• Successfully revealed hidden information through subsequent chemical dissolution reactions.

Conclusions:

• The developed bi-path color adjustment strategy is effective for creating tunable plasmonic colors.
• This method enables the hiding and emergence of colored information, suitable for data protection.
• The technique offers potential applications in key information security and dynamic color image switching.