The invention relates to a plasmonic optical security component comprising two layers (2, 4) made of transparent dielectric material and a metal layer (3) arranged between said transparent dielectric material layers in order to form two dielectric-metal interfaces (31, 32). The metal layer is structured to form, on a first coupling region, a first periodic, two-dimensional coupling array (C.sub.1) which is capable of coupling surface plasmon modes, which are supported by said dielectric-metal interfaces, to an incident light ray, the first coupling array having a profile which does not have point symmetry in any of the directions thereof, and, on a second coupling region, a second periodic, two-dimensional coupling array (C.sub.2) which is capable of coupling surface plasmon modes, which are supported by said dielectric-metal interfaces, to an incident light ray, the second coupling array having a profile which does not have point symmetry in any of the directions thereof and is different from that of the first coupling array.

The present application relates to an anti-counterfeiting object including a face with an optical identification marking which is readable by the eye and/or by a machine, and an authentication volume, the authentication volume extending from the face in the thickness (z) direction so as to be accessible from the face in order to be read by X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The authentication volume is a composite of a first material, referred to as the authentication material, and at least one second material, the authentication volume constituting a material volume of at least 5 mm.sup.3. The authentication material includes at least one amorphous phase, at least one crystalline phase and at least one complex metal phase. The second material is typically a polymer. The application may advantageously be implemented by 3D printing.

The present application relates to an anti-counterfeiting object including a face with an optical identification marking which is readable by the eye and/or by a machine, and an authentication volume, the authentication volume extending from the face in the thickness (z) direction so as to be accessible from the face in order to be read by X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The authentication volume is a composite of a first material, referred to as the authentication material, and at least one second material, the authentication volume constituting a material volume of at least 5 mm.sup.3. The authentication material includes at least one amorphous phase, at least one crystalline phase and at least one complex metal phase. The second material is typically a polymer. The application may advantageously be implemented by 3D printing.

A security element for manufacturing value documents, such as banknotes, checks or the like, has an upper side making available several micro images, in particular for a lens magnification arrangement. Each micro image is formed by a micro cavity structure having a multitude of micro cavities disposed side by side, the micro cavities have an extension of 0.5 to 3 μm respectively in a spatial direction disposed parallel to the upper side. The micro cavity structure is optically reflective or highly refractive on its surface, so that on the surface at least partial reflection takes place, and for each micro image micro cavities of at least a first and a second type are present, which differ by an aspect ratio of the micro cavities, whereby each micro image is structured by the at least two different types of micro cavities.

An optical device includes an array of lenses and a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of lenses. At a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents a first image for viewing without presenting the second image for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the second image without presenting the first image for viewing. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise specular reflecting, transparent, diffusely reflecting, and/or diffusely transmissive features. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise transparent and non-transparent regions. Some examples can incorporate more than one region producing an optical effect.

An optical device includes an array of lenses and a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of lenses. At a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents a first image for viewing without presenting the second image for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the second image without presenting the first image for viewing. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise specular reflecting, transparent, diffusely reflecting, and/or diffusely transmissive features. In some examples, individual ones of the first and second segments can comprise transparent and non-transparent regions. Some examples can incorporate more than one region producing an optical effect.

A display element including a layer with a protrusion-recess structure and a multilayer film layer disposed on the protrusion-recess structure and with a surface shape following the protrusion-recess structure. A pattern formed by the protrusion includes a plurality of shape elements when the protrusion-recess structure is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Each shape element has a length extending in one extending direction, larger than a length in a width direction perpendicular to the extending direction. The length in the width direction is equal to or less than a sub-wavelength. A standard deviation of the length in the extending direction is larger than a standard deviation of the length in the width direction. The display elements include a first display element and a second display element. The extending directions of the first display element and the second display element are different from each other.

A display element including a layer with a protrusion-recess structure and a multilayer film layer disposed on the protrusion-recess structure and with a surface shape following the protrusion-recess structure. A pattern formed by the protrusion includes a plurality of shape elements when the protrusion-recess structure is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Each shape element has a length extending in one extending direction, larger than a length in a width direction perpendicular to the extending direction. The length in the width direction is equal to or less than a sub-wavelength. A standard deviation of the length in the extending direction is larger than a standard deviation of the length in the width direction. The display elements include a first display element and a second display element. The extending directions of the first display element and the second display element are different from each other.

The present invention relates to layer composites comprising at least one opaque layer a) and at least one transparent layer b), wherein the Vicat softening temperature B/120 determined according to ISO 306:2004 (method B120 50N; 120° C.) of layer a) is ≥156° C., preferably from ≥156° C. to ≤250° C., particularly preferably from ≥156° C. to ≤230° C., and wherein the Vicat softening temperature B/120 determined according to ISO 306:2004 (method B120 50N; 120° C./h), of layer a) is higher than that of layer b), a method for producing such layer composites and security documents, preferably identification documents, comprising such a layer structure.

A document, product, or package, such as a banknote, passport or the like comprises structures having dichroic effects that change color with viewing angle in both transmission and reflection. Such structures can be useful as security features that counter the ability to effectively use counterfeit documents, products, packages, etc.