

At Fraunhofer IWS the topography of various metal and polymer surfaces is purposefully designed using direct laser interference structuring in micro and sub micrometer range. In doing so, the structure can be varied systematically in order to raise the complexity of the topography. These surfaces are used for product individualization and protection.
The main advantage over commercially available methods like security hologram labels accrues in the direct application of structures on the product. These surface structures can be removed afterwards only mechanically, which provides the customer the opportunity to verify the product’s genuineness and prevents forgery.
Typical image formats like bitmaps which are used as templates for the individual element are transformed into the required laser control information by an especially at Fraunhofer IWS developed software. The generated DLIP-pixel can be varied in geometry, width and shape which allows highly complex and flexible structure modifications.