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Study on Holograms Laser Engraving Process

Conference Paper · January 2011

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 Recent Researches in Communications, Automation, Signal Processing, Nanotechnology, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics

Study on Holograms Laser Engraving Process

MIHAIELA ILIESCU1, TEODOR NECŞOIU2, BRINDUŞ COMĂNESCU2
1
Manufacturing Department, 2Research and Production Department
1
POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, 2SC OPTOELECTRONICA 2001 SA
1
Splaiul Independentei 313, Bucharest, 2Atomistilor 409, Magurele
ROMANIA
1
iomi@clicknet.ro, http://www.imst.pub.ro; 2tnecsoiu@optoel.com, http://www.optoel.ro

Abstract: - Holograms and holography become more and more important for nowadays life, specially because
of their role in security and protection. The process involved is rather complex and with many parameters of
influence on holograms accuracy and reliability. Some research results on holograms laser engraving process
parameters are evidenced by this paper.

Key-Words: - holograms, holography, laser, beam, pulse, engraving

1 Introduction ◘ Classic hologram – a 2D or 3D image,

The theory of holography was developed in 1947 by
Dennis Gabor, a Hungarian physicist and refers to
the technique of recording and then, later,
reconstructing the light scattered from an object, so
that volumetric image in space can be obtained.
Holograms represent the medium containing
information, meaning the recording of interference
laser light waves bounced off the object with
another coherent laser beam. The word comes from
the Greek words: hólos (whole) and grafē (writing)
and, briefly, can be considered nothing more than a
high contrast, very fine grain, black and white
photographic film [4].
According to IHMA (International Hologram
Manufacturers Association), the word hologram is
used to describe most of the images or optical
effects which can be recorded by interference laser
techniques or, physical gratings which can be
revealed by the diffraction of light on the medium.
There are some “tools” required to make a
hologram, a brief description being the one that
follows [5].
- the laser – usually a helium-cadmium (He-Cd),
or helium-neon (He-Ne) one;
- the lenses – for spreading out the laser beam;
- the beam splitter – with mirrors and prisms
used to split one beam of light into two beams;
- the mirrors – for directing the beams of light to
the correct locations;
- the holographic films - a layer of light-
sensitive compounds on a transparent surface,
which can record light at a very high resolution.
As mentioned in the IHMA Glossary of
Holographic Terminology, there are several types of
holograms, such as the next ones.
recorded in a photosensitive medium from an object
or flat artwork, by laser interference techniques and
revealed by diffraction of light when the medium is
illuminated.
◘ Reflection hologram – a hologram recorded in
the depth of the recording medium which reflects
light to achieve effect, therefore being viewed and
illuminated from the same side.
The image does not show color shift when
viewing at different vertical positions. This
hologram type can only be reproduced optically on
photosensitive material, using laser light to replicate
the hologram.
Holograms on driver’s license, on credit cards
or, on everyday objects are reflection ones.
◘ Transmission hologram – a hologram which
transmits light to achieve its effect and which is
therefore illuminated and viewed from opposite
sides.
This type of hologram can be viewed in white
light or, only, in laser light, depending on the optical
recording configurations. It can be reproduced
optically on photosensitive material or by stamping
or molding into an appropriate medium.
Also, it can be metallized to create a mirror
which reflects the transmitted light, so that it can be
viewed by lighting on the same side as the observer.
Application of holography and holograms is very
wide, covering: security and product authentication,
labels and tapes (provided with a self adhesive
backing or as hot stamping foil), packaging -
consumer goods brand protection, art and interactive
graphics, gifts (for individuals or corporations – to
enhance brand image), etc.

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 Recent Researches in Communications, Automation, Signal Processing, Nanotechnology, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics
2 Holography Experiments
The study presented by this paper is on holograms,
more specifically, on hologram marks. They belong
to a class of images known as optical variable
images and are obtained by diffraction. All optical
components used to produce these holograms are
known as Diffractive Optical Variable Image
Device (DOVID).
SC OPTOELCTRONICA 2001 is a private
company, member of International Hologram
Manufacturers Association IHMA) since 2008 and
performing research – development – innovation in
advanced electronics and physics sciences.
As for the hologram marks produced by this
company, as most of holograms, they are:
- secure (eliminating fraud);
- easy to identify (by variable color or animation
effects);
- easy to apply;
- with different shapes and forms;
- unique (impossible to be copied or reproduce
by printing, copying or scanning;
- available for customization.
The 2D hologram contains bi-dimensional artistic
model and show colored irisation when changing
the viewing direction.
The 2D / 3D hologram has two artistic or numeric
models, in two, or three different planes. When
viewed from different direction, both color changing
and parallax of the two planes can be noticed.
A holographic process involves a sequence of
stages, the representative ones being mentioned next
[4], [6].
1. Establishing the artwork → by designing and
further image processing.
2. Obtaining the glass master, or master-
origination → is the holographic recorded artwork
through laser beam and specialized mirrors / lenses.
So, the Master (H1) and the Transfer (H2) are
obtained
3. Making the plate / shim → represents the
generation of the shim in the electroforming center.
The Production Master (H3) is the first copy
obtained from the duplication process. In the case of
embossed holograms, the Production Master shim is
the first metal copy obtained from the Transfer and
is known as mother shim
4. Embossing → means reproducing holograms
using high pressure and temperature, onto plastic,
lacquer or metal medium.
This is how, the micro-relief from work nickel
shim transforms to base materials (foils). n security
holography base materials are special multilayer
foils.
ISBN: 978-960-474-276-9
5. Applying the adhesive coating, that involves
laminating → the adhesives can be of various type,
depending on holograms final use, such as: water
based / solvent based / hot melt pressure sensitive,
or heat activated.
6. Die cutting, slitting and rewinding (if
required) → so that the ready to be used hologram is
available.
7. Laser engraving → of picture and texts, for
increasing its security level .
The experiments were carried on in the
company’s specialized laboratory so that, all the
holographic process stages could be fulfilled.
Images taken are shown in figure 1.
3 Experimental Results
The hologram design was a customer order so, no
changes were considered. As for the glass master
and the nickel shim, there were no special problems
to be solved.
Some “trouble” appeared when embossing – as,
first, there could not be obtained a correct
production master.
That is why, several experiments and, as
consequence, adjustments had to be done so that the
adequate pressure and heat values to be set. As
result, finally, the accurate and appropriate mother
shim was ready for the next holographic process
stage.
When laminating to apply the pressure sensitive
adhesive coating, it was important to set the process
parameters so that a constant and uniform adhesive
layer to be obtained.
As the customer asked for a hologram mark with
high security elements, laser engraving had to be
considered.
There was used a SPI pulsed fiber laser, with 15
kW nominal peak power and 30 W average output
power, up to 500 Hz pulse repetition frequency and
high speed marking compatible (2000 cps) [1], [3].
When laser engraving, there are some process
parameters that do strongly influence the engraved
text / image, as mentioned next:
- peak pulse power is typically required to
overcome processing thresholds.
- pulse energy governs the amount of thermal
energy available to effect any material processing.
- pulse duration impacts the laser beam -
material interaction time.
Experiments were done for different values of
the above mentioned parameters, some of the
considered values being evidenced by table 1.
228
 Recent Researches in Communications, Automation, Signal Processing, Nanotechnology, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics

hologram design electroforming (obtaining the Production Master)

⇒
embossed foil embossing the shim
⇐
⇒

the die

laminating ⇒ die cutting

Figure 1 Holographic process stages (to be continued)

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 Recent Researches in Communications, Automation, Signal Processing, Nanotechnology, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics

laser engraving
Fig. 1 Holographic process stages

Table 1
Fiber laser engraving – process parameters
values
Jump Pulse
Exp Speed Frequency
speed duration
no. (ms) {kHz)
(ms) (ns)
1. 800 6000 100 1
2. 1000 6000 100 1
3. 500 3000 100 1
4. 1000 6000 100 1 experience number 1 experience number 3
5. 300 3000 100 1 Fig 2 Obtained holograms
6. 200 5000 100 1
Further research should be developed for a
Examples of the obtained holograms are statistical designed experimenting and, if
presented in figure 2. appropriate, for further statistical data processing,
There should be mentioned that these by regression analysis.
experiments are sort of “rough” / preliminary ones,
as there is not, yet, a statistical designed References:
experimental program. Once improved the real [1] Farzin Emami, Amir H. Jafari , Nonlinear Fiber
experimental conditions (which, due to objective Bragg Gratings, International Conference on
reasons, were not absolutely appropriate), designed Microelectronics, Nanoelectronics, Optoelectronics
experiments and, further statistical regression Istanbul, Turkey, 2009, ISSN. 1790-5117
analysis of the results, would be done [2]. [2] Iliescu M, Lazăr M., Grigore V., Researches on
True Pulse Laser Micro-Welding, International
Symposium on Advanced Engineering & Applied
4 Conclusion Management, ISBN 978-973-0-09340-7
Application of holography and holograms is very [3] A. Sonne, a. Ouchar, a.ghazel, New SPICE
wide, covering: security and product authentication, Method of Modeling of optoelectronic components,
packaging - consumer goods brand protection, art for Optical Fiber Link Transmission,, International
and interactive graphics, etc. Conference on Microelectronics, Nanoelectronics,
This paper is a study on hologram marks, more Optoelectronics, Istanbul, Turkey, 2009
specifically, on hologram laser engraving process ISSN. 1790-5117
parameters. [4] http://www.holo.com., accessed January, 2011;
In order to obtain high resolution engraving [5] IHMA Glossary of Holographic Terminology,
results low speed, high frequency and small pulse http://www.ihma.org, accessed December, 2010
duration of the laser beam should be used. [6] http://www.lidogram.com/, accessed January,
2011

ISBN: 978-960-474-276-9 230

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