A chemical gas phase deposition process comprises steps of providing a high vacuum chamber, and inside the high vacuum chamber: positioning a substrate surface; positioning a mask parallel to the substrate surface, whereby the mask comprises one or more openings; adjusting a gap of determined dimension between the substrate surface and the mask; and orienting a plurality of chemical precursor beams of at least one precursor species towards the mask with line of sight propagation, each of the plurality of chemical precursor beams being emitted from an independent punctual source, and molecules of the chemical precursor pass through the one or more mask openings to impinge onto the substrate surface for deposition thereon. At least a part of the chemical precursor molecules decompose on the substrate surface at a decomposition temperature. The process further comprises adjusting a temperature of the substrate surface greater or equal to the chemical precursor molecule decomposition temperature, thereby remaining greater than a mask temperature, and maintaining the mask temperature below the decomposition temperature, thereby causing a decomposition of the chemical precursor and a growth of a film on the substrate surface, but not on the mask; and heating the substrate surface using a heating device.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

A method for producing a multi-layer body, in particular a security element, in which a partial first layer or partial first layer system is produced on a substrate, wherein the partial first layer or partial first layer system is present in a first partial area and not in a second partial area. Subsequently, a partial second layer or partial second layer system is produced, wherein the partial second layer or partial second layer system is present in a third partial area and not in a fourth partial area, and wherein the third partial area overlaps with the first and second partial areas. Finally, the partial first layer or partial first layer system is structured as a mask using the partial second layer or partial second layer system.

A method for producing a multi-layer body, in particular a security element, in which a partial first layer or partial first layer system is produced on a substrate, wherein the partial first layer or partial first layer system is present in a first partial area and not in a second partial area. Subsequently, a partial second layer or partial second layer system is produced, wherein the partial second layer or partial second layer system is present in a third partial area and not in a fourth partial area, and wherein the third partial area overlaps with the first and second partial areas. Finally, the partial first layer or partial first layer system is structured as a mask using the partial second layer or partial second layer system.

A method for marking a product (1) with a photoluminescent mark, said mark comprising a photoluminescent portion (10) which is transparent under normal light conditions and revealed by photoluminescence under UV illumination, said mark further comprising a non photoluminescent portion (9) which is transparent under normal light conditions as well as under UV illumination, said method comprising: deposing on said product a stack, said stack comprising alternatively layers (2, 4), such as AlN, with a thickness of less than 1 micron and layers (3) of a second material, such as GaN, with a thickness of less than 10 nm; raising the transparency of said non photoluminescent portion (10) with a deposition of transparent material (6) or incorporation of ions into said non photoluminescent portions.

A method for marking a product (1) with a photoluminescent mark, said mark comprising a photoluminescent portion (10) which is transparent under normal light conditions and revealed by photoluminescence under UV illumination, said mark further comprising a non photoluminescent portion (9) which is transparent under normal light conditions as well as under UV illumination, said method comprising: deposing on said product a stack, said stack comprising alternatively layers (2, 4), such as AlN, with a thickness of less than 1 micron and layers (3) of a second material, such as GaN, with a thickness of less than 10 nm; raising the transparency of said non photoluminescent portion (10) with a deposition of transparent material (6) or incorporation of ions into said non photoluminescent portions.

A flexible security document is provided which contains an authentication device including: a) source of electrical potential (5), the source including a piezoelectric polymeric material including at least one terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), trifluoroethylene (TrFE) and a halogenated ethylene based monomer containing at least one non-fluorine halogen atom, the source of electrical potential being activated by mechanical deformation; b) reporter element (3) including a material capable of switching electrically between a first state and a second state, the difference between the first state and the second state being able to be perceived by an unaided human; and c) conducting elements (8) electrically connecting the source of electrical potential and the reporter element to produce an electric circuit. The reporter element (3) may take a number of different forms, such as a light emitting device which lights up or undergoes color change when activated by the source of electrical potential to provide an indication of authenticity. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flexible security document is a banknote and the source of electrical potential is applied by printing.

A flexible security document is provided which contains an authentication device including: a) source of electrical potential (5), the source including a piezoelectric polymeric material including at least one terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), trifluoroethylene (TrFE) and a halogenated ethylene based monomer containing at least one non-fluorine halogen atom, the source of electrical potential being activated by mechanical deformation; b) reporter element (3) including a material capable of switching electrically between a first state and a second state, the difference between the first state and the second state being able to be perceived by an unaided human; and c) conducting elements (8) electrically connecting the source of electrical potential and the reporter element to produce an electric circuit. The reporter element (3) may take a number of different forms, such as a light emitting device which lights up or undergoes color change when activated by the source of electrical potential to provide an indication of authenticity. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flexible security document is a banknote and the source of electrical potential is applied by printing.

A non-provisioned card having a front side and a back side, and at least one visible surface that is patinated or activated to promote patination.