A security device comprising a microstructure and one or more curable fluids, in which the microstructure is configured to direct the one or more curable fluids from a local application zone of the microstructure to one or more regions of the microstructure prior to curing each curable fluid. Alternatively, the security device may comprise a microstructure; and one or more cured fluids; in which each cured fluid is derived from a corresponding curable fluid that is directed by the microstructure from a local application zone of the microstructure to one or more regions of the microstructure prior to curing each curable fluid. The microstructure can have a depth of at least 100 nm, and a spacing aspect ratio (depth to height) greater than 1:10. A process for fabricating a security device is also described.

A security device comprising a microstructure and one or more curable fluids, in which the microstructure is configured to direct the one or more curable fluids from a local application zone of the microstructure to one or more regions of the microstructure prior to curing each curable fluid. Alternatively, the security device may comprise a microstructure; and one or more cured fluids; in which each cured fluid is derived from a corresponding curable fluid that is directed by the microstructure from a local application zone of the microstructure to one or more regions of the microstructure prior to curing each curable fluid. The microstructure can have a depth of at least 100 nm, and a spacing aspect ratio (depth to height) greater than 1:10. A process for fabricating a security device is also described.

A method for the production of a multilayer body, in particular a security element, includes: a) producing a metal layer on a substrate; b) partial demetalization of the metal layer to form a first item of optical information in a first area of the multilayer body; c) applying a partial lacquer layer in a second area of the multilayer body to form a second item of optical information, wherein the partial lacquer layer extends at least partially beyond the metal layer; d) structuring the partial metal layer in the second area using the partial lacquer layer as mask.

A method for the production of a multilayer body, in particular a security element, includes: a) producing a metal layer on a substrate; b) partial demetalization of the metal layer to form a first item of optical information in a first area of the multilayer body; c) applying a partial lacquer layer in a second area of the multilayer body to form a second item of optical information, wherein the partial lacquer layer extends at least partially beyond the metal layer; d) structuring the partial metal layer in the second area using the partial lacquer layer as mask.

A laser markable composition includes (a) an aqueous medium; (b) a leuco dye; (c) an optothermal converting agent; and (d) a colour developing agent, characterized in that the colour developing agent is a polymer particle capable of forming an acid upon exposure to heat.

A laser markable composition includes (a) an aqueous medium; (b) polymeric particles dispersed in the aqueous medium; (c) a colour developing agent or colour developing agent precursor; and (d) an optothermal converting agent; characterized in that a leuco dye is covalently bonded to the polymeric particles.

A carrier for applying confidential data includes a substrate and a background applied to the substrate, in particular a concealment background, including an irregular configuration of characters. The characters are formed of a transparent non-chromogenic printing ink which phosphoresces under UV light. A data carrier having applied confidential data is also provided.

A carrier for applying confidential data includes a substrate and a background applied to the substrate, in particular a concealment background, including an irregular configuration of characters. The characters are formed of a transparent non-chromogenic printing ink which phosphoresces under UV light. A data carrier having applied confidential data is also provided.

An ID document comprises a receiving substrate in or on which an ink that is fluorescent under UV-A lighting is locally deposited, and a multilayer optical security component attached to a substrate. The optical component comprises a structurable layer and a reflective dielectric layer discontinuously deposited on the structurable layer in the plane of the component so as to produce patterns. The reflective dielectric layer has a relative transmission of at most 40% in the UV-B or UV-C range. The optical component also include an assembly of at least one layer including pigments that are fluorescent when energized by UV-B or UV-C. These are deposited on the reflective dielectric layer in a uniform or discontinuous manner in the plane of the optical component.

An ID document comprises a receiving substrate in or on which an ink that is fluorescent under UV-A lighting is locally deposited, and a multilayer optical security component attached to a substrate. The optical component comprises a structurable layer and a reflective dielectric layer discontinuously deposited on the structurable layer in the plane of the component so as to produce patterns. The reflective dielectric layer has a relative transmission of at most 40% in the UV-B or UV-C range. The optical component also include an assembly of at least one layer including pigments that are fluorescent when energized by UV-B or UV-C. These are deposited on the reflective dielectric layer in a uniform or discontinuous manner in the plane of the optical component.