The invention relates to an optically variable element as well as a method for the production thereof. In a first area the optically variable element has at least one first color region which in the event of illumination generates a color dependent on the angle of observation and/or angle of illumination. The first color region has two or more zones (41 to 47) arranged next to each other. The two or more zones arranged next to each other have in each case a width and/or length dimension of less than 300 μm. In at least one first zone (41) of the zones (41 to 47) of the first color region a thin-film interference filter (15) is provided with at least one interference layer (17). The interference layer (17) of the thin-film interference filter (15) has a first average thickness (d.sub.1) in the first zone (41). The first average thickness is chosen such that the thin-film interference filter (15) in the event of illumination at least one particular angle of observation and/or angle of illumination generates, by means of interference, a color which differs from at least one color which is generated in the event of illumination at this angle of observation and/or angle of illumination in at least one of the other zones (42 to 47) of the first color region.

Embodiments include luminescent phosphor compounds that include one or more emitting ions and one or more disturbing ions, and methods for their production. An emitting ion in the compound may be characterized by a first decay time constant when the emitting ion is undisturbed. However, a corresponding disturbing ion in the compound, which is different from the emitting ion, causes the emitting ion to have a pre-defined, target disturbed decay time constant that is greater than zero and less than the first decay time constant. An embodiment of an authentication system is configured to measure the decay time constant of a phosphor compound applied to an article, and to determine whether the decay time constant corresponds to a phosphor compound that includes a particular disturbing ion (e.g., in order to determine whether or not the article is authentic).

Embodiments include luminescent phosphor compounds that include one or more emitting ions and one or more disturbing ions, and methods for their production. An emitting ion in the compound may be characterized by a first decay time constant when the emitting ion is undisturbed. However, a corresponding disturbing ion in the compound, which is different from the emitting ion, causes the emitting ion to have a pre-defined, target disturbed decay time constant that is greater than zero and less than the first decay time constant. An embodiment of an authentication system is configured to measure the decay time constant of a phosphor compound applied to an article, and to determine whether the decay time constant corresponds to a phosphor compound that includes a particular disturbing ion (e.g., in order to determine whether or not the article is authentic).

The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional macroscopic patterns in liquid-crystalline coatings, patterned layers containing liquid-crystalline materials and produced by said method, and the use thereof in decorative and security products. In the method, the liquid-crystalline coating in a non-solidified state is brought into contact with a printing form for a relief printing method, with the result that depressions which are not deeper than 10 μm arise in the coating.

A method is disclosed for applying an antibacterial coating onto a substrate having one or more layers of print. In a printing press, one or more layers of print are applied to a substrate in a printing step. A finishing composition is applied over the layers of ink by a finishing stage in a finishing step to form a continuous outer protective layer. The finishing composition is applied to the substrate by a roller. The printing step and the finishing step are performed simultaneously. The finishing composition includes an antibacterial additive.

A method for checking an authenticity feature having an optical storage phosphor, to an apparatus for checking, an authenticity feature and to a value document having an authenticity feature. The authenticity feature has an optical storage phosphor. The optical storage phosphor may be subjected to at least one query sequence, respectively comprising at least a first readout process and a second readout process. Respectively at least a first and a second readout measurement value are captured, which respectively are based on the detection of an optical emission in response to the respectively first or the respectively second associated readout process. A readout measurement value time series is respectively associated with the at least one query sequence, and is respectively associated with the query sequence for determining a dynamic behaviour from the readout measurement value time series under the respectively associated query sequence is evaluated in a further step.

A method for checking an authenticity feature having an optical storage phosphor, to an apparatus for checking, an authenticity feature and to a value document having an authenticity feature. The authenticity feature has an optical storage phosphor. The optical storage phosphor may be subjected to at least one query sequence, respectively comprising at least a first readout process and a second readout process. Respectively at least a first and a second readout measurement value are captured, which respectively are based on the detection of an optical emission in response to the respectively first or the respectively second associated readout process. A readout measurement value time series is respectively associated with the at least one query sequence, and is respectively associated with the query sequence for determining a dynamic behaviour from the readout measurement value time series under the respectively associated query sequence is evaluated in a further step.

A document which may be a security document has a thermochromic coating which may be a thermochromic ink on the substrate of the document. The ink may include several thermochromic materials which transition from various different colors to substantially clear in appearance as the ink is warmed to various temperatures. The combination of the colors of the thermochromic materials can give the document a different color at a number of different temperatures, until the coating is warmed to the highest color change point. When at or above the highest color change temperature, the coating becomes substantially transparent and the printed area assumes the color of the underlying substrate. The coating may also include non-reactive materials of yet another color that mixes with the colors of the thermochromic materials. The document may additionally include printed indicia on the substrate that are masked by the thermochromic materials at certain temperatures, and not masked by the thermochromic materials at other temperatures.

A document which may be a security document has a thermochromic coating which may be a thermochromic ink on the substrate of the document. The ink may include several thermochromic materials which transition from various different colors to substantially clear in appearance as the ink is warmed to various temperatures. The combination of the colors of the thermochromic materials can give the document a different color at a number of different temperatures, until the coating is warmed to the highest color change point. When at or above the highest color change temperature, the coating becomes substantially transparent and the printed area assumes the color of the underlying substrate. The coating may also include non-reactive materials of yet another color that mixes with the colors of the thermochromic materials. The document may additionally include printed indicia on the substrate that are masked by the thermochromic materials at certain temperatures, and not masked by the thermochromic materials at other temperatures.

An optically variable areal pattern has a reflection layer and a micromirror arrangement comprising a plurality of semitransparent micromirrors developed on the reflection layer. The micromirrors are inclined with respect to the reflection layer, such that, by specular reflection, light incident on the micromirror arrangement is reflected on the semitransparent micromirrors. The incident light is reflected partly in a first direction and partly in a second direction that is different from the first direction, in that it passes through the semitransparent micromirrors, impinges on the reflection layer, and is reflected there and, thereafter, again passes through the semitransparent micromirrors.