A method for producing a hologram (1), (1) for security elements (1a) and/or security documents (1b). One or more virtual hologram planes (10) are arranged in front of and/or behind one or more virtual models (20) and/or one or more virtual hologram planes (10) are arranged such that they intersect one or more virtual models (20). One or more virtual light sources (30) are arranged on one or more partial regions of the surface (21) of one or more of the virtual models (20). One or more virtual electromagnetic fields (40) are calculated starting from at least one of the virtual light sources (30) in one or more zones (11) of the one or more virtual hologram planes (10). In the one or more zones (11), in each case, a virtual total electromagnetic field (41) is calculated on the basis of the sum of two or more, of the virtual electromagnetic fields (40) in the respective zone (11). One or more phase images (50) are calculated from the virtual total electromagnetic fields (41) in the one or more zones (11). A height profile (60) of the hologram (1) is calculated from the one or more phase images (50) and the height profile (60) of the hologram (1) is incorporated into a substrate (2) to provide the hologram (1).

A device for manufacturing a replica hologram, comprising a holder for a light-sensitive recording material, into which the replica hologram is to be imprinted, a holder for a master hologram, as well as a lighting device for generating light for exposing the master hologram, the color of the light generated by the lighting device being variable, and the lighting device comprising optics for exposing the master hologram with the aid of the light generated by the lighting device, the device being designed in such a way that the light emanating from the master hologram impinges on the recording material to manufacture the replica hologram.

A replication tool for use in preparing a holographic film by replication, comprising a base structure having a structure body and a channel configured to receive at least one of a laminated glazing and a master holographic film assembly.

Systems and methods for copying a diversity of hologram prescriptions from a common master in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method of contact copying a hologram from a master. The method includes steps for providing a light source, a master grating encoding a first grating prescription, a substrate supporting a layer of holographic recording material, and a wavefront modifying component, forming a first wavefront from the light source, reflecting the first wavefront from the wavefront modifying component to provide a second wavefront, diffracting the second wavefront to provide diffracted light with a third wavefront and zero-order light with the second wavefront, interfering the third wavefront and the zero-order light at a contact image plane, and forming a hologram having a second grating prescription different from the first grating prescription.

An optical master is created by using a nanoimprint alignment layer to pattern a liquid crystal layer. The nanoimprint alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer constitute the optical master. The optical master is positioned above a photo-alignment layer. The optical master is illuminated and light propagating through the nanoimprinted alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer is diffracted and subsequently strikes the photo-alignment layer. The incident diffracted light causes the pattern in the liquid crystal layer to be transferred to the photo-alignment layer. A second liquid crystal layer is deposited onto the patterned photo-alignment layer, which subsequently is used to align the molecules of the second liquid crystal layer. The second liquid crystal layer in the patterned photo-alignment layer may be utilized as a replica optical master, or as a diffractive optical element for directing light in optical devices such as augmented reality display devices.

In some implementations, an optical master is created by using a nanoimprint alignment layer to pattern a liquid crystal layer. The nanoimprint alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer constitute the optical master. The optical master is positioned above a photo-alignment layer. The optical master is illuminated and light propagating through the nanoimprinted alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer is diffracted and subsequently strikes the photo-alignment layer. The incident diffracted light causes the pattern in the liquid crystal layer to be transferred to the photo-alignment layer. A second liquid crystal layer is deposited onto the patterned photo-alignment layer, which subsequently is used to align the molecules of the second liquid crystal layer. In some implementations, the second liquid crystal layer in the patterned photo-alignment layer may be utilized as a replica optical master or as a diffractive optical element, such as for directing light in optical devices such as display devices, including augmented reality display devices.

Variable digital optical images may be fabricated using generic optical matrices. A generic optical matrix may have pixels corresponding to color and subpixels corresponding to noncolor effects. The pixels may include first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color. The subpixels may include first subpixels corresponding to a first noncolor effect and second subpixels corresponding to a second noncolor effect. Individual ones of the pixels and/or subpixels of the generic optical matrix may be obliterated according to a negative while remaining pixels and/or subpixels may be preserved. The remaining pixels and/or subpixels may form an optical image corresponding to a base image. The optical image may be colored based on the remaining pixels. The optical image may exhibit noncolor effects corresponding to the remaining subpixels. The optical image may comprise a hologram or a stereo image.

A method for producing a hologram (1), (1) for security elements (1a) and/or security documents (1b). One or more virtual hologram planes (10) are arranged in front of and/or behind one or more virtual models (20) and/or one or more virtual hologram planes (10) are arranged such that they intersect one or more virtual models (20). One or more virtual light sources (30) are arranged on one or more partial regions of the surface (21) of one or more of the virtual models (20). One or more virtual electromagnetic fields (40) are calculated starting from at least one of the virtual light sources (30) in one or more zones (11) of the one or more virtual hologram planes (10). In the one or more zones (11), in each case, a virtual total electromagnetic field (41) is calculated on the basis of the sum of two or more, of the virtual electromagnetic fields (40) in the respective zone (11). One or more phase images (50) are calculated from the virtual total electromagnetic fields (41) in the one or more zones (11). A height profile (60) of the hologram (1) is calculated from the one or more phase images (50) and the height profile (60) of the hologram (1) is incorporated into a substrate (2) to provide the hologram (1).

Variable digital optical images may be fabricated using generic optical matrices. A generic optical matrix may have pixels corresponding to color and subpixels corresponding to noncolor effects. The pixels may include first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color. The subpixels may include first subpixels corresponding to a first noncolor effect and second subpixels corresponding to a second noncolor effect. Individual ones of the pixels and/or subpixels of the generic optical matrix may be obliterated according to a negative while remaining pixels and/or subpixels may be preserved. The remaining pixels and/or subpixels may form an optical image corresponding to a base image. The optical image may be colored based on the remaining pixels. The optical image may exhibit noncolor effects corresponding to the remaining subpixels. The optical image may comprise a hologram or a stereo image.

One example includes an injection-molded component comprising a surface surrounded by peripheral edges and which is formed via an injection-molding process. The surface includes a three-dimensional surface feature to render the surface as being non-planar across at least a portion of the surface. The surface also includes a plurality of holographic micro-features formed across the surface and being to interact with ambient light to provide a holographic image corresponding to an authentication mark associated with the injection-molded component.