Mass production of computer-generated Fourier holograms and its application to prevent counterfeiting

Abstract

Currently rainbow and volume holograms are the most used protective holograms. The production technology of such holograms allows to replicate them at the industrial level without deteriorating their protective properties. However, new methods of obtaining protective holograms have been recently studied. Previously has been repeatedly demonstrated the possibility of applying computer-generated Fourier holograms (CGHs) to scattering, non-photosensitive media. We want to study the possibilities of obtaining Fourier holograms on such media and discover protective properties of such holograms. We consider the possibility to obtain binary and halftone CGHs on various mediums in mass-production, including metallized films, self-adhesive labels on paper basis, paper and laser film. For the application we used technologies of thermal transfer and laser printing, as well as direct laser recording. The reconstruction was carried out both optically and using a smartphone. This paper presents experiments and results of mass-production holograms on the selected mediums. We have simulated the distortions that may occur after manufacturing of CGHs, analyzed the quality of the image being reconstructed under various application methods. We show that such holograms can be used as security elements in specific cases. Still, there are the possibilities of improving the quality of deposition of protective hologram elements depending on the used technology, as well as the possibility of taking into account potential distortions during the synthesis of holograms.