Laser-induced periodic surface structure for microscale anti-counterfeiting structural colors

Ouyang Xu; Xie Zijian; Zhang Mengrui; Yang Qingshuai; Li Chenhui; Cao Yaoyu; Xu Yi; Li Xiangping

doi:10.12086/oee.2022.210320

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Ouyang X, Xie Z J, Zhang M R, et al. Laser-induced periodic surface structure for microscale anti-counterfeiting structural colors[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2022, 49(1): 210320. doi: 10.12086/oee.2022.210320

Citation:

Ouyang X, Xie Z J, Zhang M R, et al. Laser-induced periodic surface structure for microscale anti-counterfeiting structural colors[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2022, 49(1): 210320. doi: 10.12086/oee.2022.210320

Laser-induced periodic surface structure for microscale anti-counterfeiting structural colors

1.
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
2.
Advanced Institute of Photonics Technology, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China

Fund Project: Guangdong Provincial Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project (2016ZT06D081)

More Information

^*Corresponding author: xiangpingli@jnu.edu.cn

Received Date 30 September 2021

Revised Date 06 January 2022

Published Date 25 January 2022

Abstract

Abstract

The vivid color appearance of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) has received intense research interests. The vibrant structural color associated with the periodicity of LIPSS is normally concerned under bright -field illumination, while the colors of structures under dark-field illumination are commonly overlooked. In this paper, we report an image encryption method based on laser-induced dual-period grating structures in indium tin oxide thin films, exhibiting different colors under bright-field and dark-field illumination. Following the standard laser recipe by judiciously controlling the polarization, pulse energy and scanning speed, subwavelength period LIPSS can be fabricated. By controlling the space between the fabricated lines, another grating with a larger periodicity can be formed. Consequently, the dual-period grating structure displays different colors under bright-field and dark-field illumination depending on the laser recipe with different pulse energies and line spaces. Leveraging this effect, information can be encoded in the color image, which displays the same color appearance under bright -field illumination while revealing different colors under dark-field illumination has been demonstrated. Combing the flexibility and scalability of laser fabrication, we envisage the potential applications in anti-counterfeiting, pattern decoration, metasurface, etc.
- structural color /
- laser induced periodic surface structure /
- anti-counterfeiting /
- laser processing

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References

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Overview

Overview

The vivid color appearance of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) has received intense research interests. The vibrant structural color associated with the periodicity of LIPSS is normally concerned under bright-field illumination, while the colors of the structures under dark-field illumination are commonly overlooked. In this paper, we report an image encryption method based on laser-induced dual-period grating structures in indium tin oxide (thickness 180 nm) thin films, exhibiting different colors under bright-field and dark-field illumination. Following the standard laser recipe by judiciously controlling the polarization, pulse energy and scanning speed, subwavelength period LIPSS can be fabricated. By controlling the space between the fabricated lines, another grating with a larger periodicity can be formed. Leveraging this effect, we studied the effect of laser processing energy and the distance (D) between fabricated lines on the color appearance of the structures under bright-field and dark-field illumination. The experimental results indicate that the structures formed by different laser processing energies have rich colors under the bright-field and dark-field when the scanning speed is 0.5 mm/s and the distance D between scanning lines is 1.5 μm. When the laser energy and laser scanning speed are constant, using different distances D between laser fabricated lines can make the structures display the same color under bright-field illumination while different colors under dark-field illumination. This feature can be used for image hiding such as the QR code. The colors displayed under bright-field illumination is the same, and the QR code cannot be recognized. In contrast, the QR code shows distinct colors under dark-field illumination. Furthermore, it is possible to introduce disturbance information under bright-field illumination image to realize data encryption. Only concealed information can be clearly distinguished under dark-field illumination. Combing the flexibility and scalability of laser fabrication, we envisage the potential applications in anti-counterfeiting, pattern decoration, metasurface, etc.