Device and method for research of magnetic properties of objects

Abstract
FIELD: testing equipment.
SUBSTANCE: invention is related to facilities for investigation of magnetic
properties of objects (BN), first of all, sheet material, such as, for instance
bank notes, with application of magnetooptic layer having magnetic domains. In
method and device optical properties of magnetic domains in magnetooptic layer are
influenced by magnetic properties of investigated object (BN), at least one source
of light (2) for radiation of light falling on magnetooptic layer (42), and at
least one detector (6) for reception of light passing through magnetooptic layer
(42) and/or reflected by it, and with creation of magnetic field (BN), which
spreads in area of magnetooptic layer (42) substantially parallel to its surface.
EFFECT: improved accuracy and reliability of research.
16 cl, 4 dwg
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Classifications
G07D7/04 Testing magnetic properties of the materials thereof, e.g. by detection
of magnetic imprint
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RU2381559C2
Russia

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Other languagesRussianInventorУльрих ШАНДА (DE)Ульрих ШандаХорст ДЁЧ (DE)Хорст
ДЁЧКарстен ХОЛЬТХАУС (DE)Карстен ХОЛЬТХАУСАлексей ТРИФОНОВ (DE)Алексей
ТРИФОНОВЮрген ШЮТЦМАНН (DE)Юрген ШЮТЦМАНН
Worldwide applications
2004 DE 2005 EP RU US WO
Application RU2006145057/09A events
2004-05-27
Priority to DE102004025937.2
2004-05-27
Priority to DE102004025937A
2005-05-25
Application filed by Гизеке Унд Девриент Гмбх
2008-09-10
Publication of RU2006145057A
2010-02-10
Application granted
2010-02-10
Publication of RU2381559C2
InfoPatent citations (13) Cited by (6) Legal events Similar documents Priority and
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Description
translated from Russian
Особое значение имеет выбор длины волны света, излучаемого источником 2 света. В
случае света с большей длиной волны направление его поляризации в магнитооптическом
слое 42 претерпевает лишь небольшой поворот, а свет с меньшей длиной волны в
значительной мере поглощается магнитооптическим слоем. По этой причине особенно
хорошо зарекомендовал себя источник 2 света, излучающий свет с длиной в диапазоне
от 550 до 650 нм, в частности около 590 нм.
The present invention relates to a device, as well as to a method for studying the
magnetic properties of objects, especially sheet material, such as, for example,
banknotes. Such a device includes a magneto-optical layer with magnetic domains,
the optical properties of which vary under the influence of the magnetic properties
of the object under study, at least one light source for emitting light incident on
the magneto-optical layer, and at least one sensor for receiving light passing
through the magneto-optical layer and / or reflected by it.

To ensure a high degree of protection against counterfeiting, banknotes are

provided with security equipment, including magnetic security features. Therefore,
during automated verification of banknotes in appropriate machines for processing
them, banknotes are examined with respect to their magnetic properties, which makes
it possible to distinguish fake or doubtful (supposedly fake) banknotes from
genuine banknotes.

Moreover, in order to study the magnetic properties of banknotes, inductive

measuring heads, Hall sensors or magnetoresistive elements, such as, for example,
magnetoresistors or thin permalloy layers, are mainly used.

In addition, to study the magnetic properties of banknotes, the use of magneto-

optical layers is also known. A suitable device is known, for example, from DE
19718122 A1. In such a device, a magneto-optical reflective layer with a pronounced
magneto-optical Kerr effect is illuminated by polarized light and light reflected
by this layer is detected after it passes through the polarizing filter. If the
banknote under investigation is placed close to the reflecting layer, the magnetic
scattering fields created by the magnetic sections of the banknote will affect the
optical characteristics of the reflecting layer, and the direction of polarization
of the detected light will change. In this case, based on the detected change in
the direction of polarization, we can conclude about the magnetic properties of the
sheet material.

The advantage associated with the use of magneto-optical layers over the widely
used inductive measuring heads is that such layers provide higher spatial
resolution and allow magnetic flux measurements, regardless of the speed of
movement of the banknote relative to the measuring system. In addition, the use of
magneto-optical layers makes it possible to develop an imaging method for visual
observation of a magnetic pattern made in a banknote.

The main problem that arises in an automated study of the magnetic properties of
banknotes is, first of all, that in order to verify banknotes for authenticity with
sufficiently high accuracy and reliability, it is necessary to ensure that magnetic
fluxes with very low values of magnetic induction can be detected. This is due,
firstly, to the fact that the scattering fields created by the individual magnetic
sections of the banknotes are very small, and secondly, that a certain clearance
must be provided between the banknote and the magneto-optical layer, which, due to
the high speed of banknote transportation, which they must be moved in machines for
their processing, cannot be reduced to an arbitrarily small value, since otherwise
the banknotes being checked, as well as individual sensor components, would undergo
increased wear and tear the likelihood of getting stuck in the machine for banknote
processing.

From the publication WO 02/052498 A2, a device and method for studying the magnetic
properties of objects using magneto-optical layers having ordering located magnetic
domains are known. In this case, the light emitted by the light source and incident
on the magneto-optical layer diffracts under the influence of ordered magnetic
domains. Light that changes its direction and passes through the layer or reflected
by it is received by the sensor. If an object, in particular a sheet with magnetic
sections, is located near the magneto-optical layer, then the magnetic sections of
the sheet affect the optical properties of the magnetic layer, and the distances
between the ordered magnetic domains and / or the width change depending on the
direction and magnetic field strength of the sheet acting on the magneto-optical
layer. Accordingly, depending on its magnetic properties, the registered intensity
and / or position of the diffracted light change, which allows us to draw a
conclusion about the magnetic properties of the sheet material based on the results
obtained.
An advantage of the known device and method for studying the magnetic properties of
objects using magneto-optical layers having ordered magnetic domains is that the
applied magneto-optical layers with domains are highly sensitive, due to which they
are suitable for detecting very small changes in magnetic induction (magnetic flux
density) . However, the possible spatial resolution is limited by the size of the
magnetic domains.

A device and method for studying the magnetic properties of objects using a
magneto-optical layer made in the form of a so-called planar layer are known from
WO 02/052512 A2. Such planar layers do not have magnetic domains, or a single
magnetic domain is located in the layer itself and is oriented parallel to it. The
advantage of such magneto-optical layers is that they provide almost any spatial
resolution. However, the sensitivity of planar layers to changes in magnetic
induction is significantly lower than the sensitivity of magneto-optical layers
with magnetic domains. Therefore, in the known method and device, a change, i.e.
the rotation of the direction of polarization of the light introduced into the
magneto-optical layer increases due to the increase in the length of the optical
path of the light passing through the magneto-optical layer. For this, the light
source and the magneto-optical layer are positioned so that the propagation
direction of the light introduced into the layer extends substantially parallel to
the lower surface of the magneto-optical layer.

However, the known device and method for studying the magnetic properties of
objects using magneto-optical planar layers has the disadvantage that such planar
layers are complex, and therefore expensive to manufacture.

Additional problems arise when, along with the studied objects with precisely
defined magnetic properties, it is necessary to study objects whose magnetic
properties are uncertain and therefore cannot be investigated or cannot be
investigated without the use of additional tools.

The present invention was based on the task of developing a device and method that
would allow to investigate the magnetic properties of objects, especially sheet
material, with greater accuracy and reliability. In addition, such a device and
method should provide the opportunity to study the magnetic properties of objects
even when such a study is impossible without the use of additional tools.

This problem is solved according to the invention by a combination of essential

features presented in claims 1 and 12 of the claims.

The objects of the invention are a device and a method for studying the magnetic
properties of objects, primarily sheet material, such as, for example, banknotes,
using a magneto-optical layer having magnetic domains, the optical properties of
which are influenced by the magnetic properties of the studied object, at least one
light source for emitting light incident on the magneto-optical layer, and at least
one sensor for receiving light passing through and / or reflected by the magneto-
optical layer, and with building a magnetic field propagating in the zone of the
magneto-optical layer essentially parallel to its surface.

An advantage of the device proposed in the invention is that it allows the use of
magneto-optical layers with magnetic domains, which are simple to manufacture and
have a spatial resolution improved by applying a magnetic field that propagates
substantially parallel to the surface of the magneto-optical layer. In addition,
using this magnetic field, it is also possible to investigate magnetic properties
that are not amenable to such an investigation without the use of additional means.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic field parallel to the
magneto-optical layer is set so as to greatly reduce the magnetic domains.
Thus, in general, the high sensitivity of the magneto-optical layer with magnetic
domains is retained, and due to a significant reduction in the domains, a
significantly higher spatial resolution can be achieved.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic field strength

parallel to the magneto-optical layer is set in such a way as to cause the collapse
of the magnetic domains.

This makes it possible to obtain a signal with especially high dynamics during
measurement at very high spatial resolution.

In another preferred embodiment, the magnetic field parallel to the magneto-optical

layer is set so as to cause the complete disappearance of the magnetic domains.

This achieves a very high spatial resolution with a sufficiently high sensitivity.

Other advantages of the present invention are described in more detail below with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:

figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for studying the magnetic properties of

objects,

figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a magneto-optical detector or sensor used in the

device shown in figure 1,

figure 3 is a typical dependence of the sensitivity of the detector, shown in

figure 2, from the magnetic field parallel to the surface of the detector, and

figure 4 - magnetic device designed to create a magnetic field parallel to the

surface of the detector shown in figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1, designed to study the magnetic

properties of objects.

Under the studied objects should be understood, in particular, sheet material, such
as, for example, banknotes having magnetic components. Such components may include
inks with magnetic particles, magnetic security threads, etc. In this case, it is
possible to envisage giving objects such magnetic properties, the study of which
does not cause problems, i.e. objects themselves create a certain magnetic field.
To this end, objects may contain, for example, at least in the form of traces or in
certain quantities, magnetically solid substances distributed, for example, in the
form of a specific pattern in and / or on the object. Since hard magnetic materials
have a certain residual magnetic induction, they create, after a single
orientation, the magnetic field necessary for the study, which can be analyzed. It
is also possible that objects have magnetic properties that cannot be investigated
without the use of additional tools, i.e. the objects themselves do not create a
magnetic field. In this case, the objects may contain, for example, at least in the
form of traces or in certain quantities, soft magnetic substances distributed, for
example, in the form of a specific pattern in and / or on the object. Since soft
magnetic substances do not have residual magnetic induction, they themselves do not
create a magnetic field that can be analyzed in the study. To create a magnetic
field that can be analyzed during research, such objects must be exposed to a
magnetic field throughout the entire research process to ensure magnetic ordering
or orientation of soft magnetic substances present on the object and / or in it so
that they can be studied.

The device 1 has a detector 4 formed by a magneto-optical layer with magnetic

domains. A magnetic device 7, 8, representing, for example, at least one permanent
magnet, creates a magnetic field B || directed in the zone of the detector 4
parallel to its surface and, accordingly, the surface of the magneto-optical layer.
The light emitted by at least one light source 2 is polarized by the polarizer 3.
Polarized light illuminates the detector 4, is reflected by it and / or passes
through it, passes through the analyzer 5 and is received by at least one sensor 6.

The object BN under study, for example, a banknote, is transported by a transport

system, not shown in the drawings, in the direction T essentially along the long
edges of the banknotes BN past the device 1. Under the action of the magnetic field
B || created by the magnetic device 6, 7 | the magnetic material present in the BN
banknote and / or on it is oriented in such a way that it creates an additional
magnetic field 10. The component B ⊥ of the magnetic field 10, perpendicular to the
detector 4, causes a change, in particular a rotation, in the direction of
polarization of light in its magneto-optical layer. This change in the direction of
polarization is determined by the change in the intensity of the light passing
through the analyzer 5 and detected by the sensor or sensors 6, to study the
magnetic properties of the object BN, i.e. banknotes.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the schematic diagram of the detector 4. The detector
consists of a substrate 41, on which is applied a magneto-optical layer 42 having
magnetic domains. A magneto-optical layer 43 is applied to the magneto-optical
layer 42, which scatters or reflects light incident on it from the light source 2.
The substrate 41 can be made, for example, in the form of a single crystal plate of
gadolinium-gallium garnet. The magneto-optical layer 42 deposited on a substrate is
made, for example, of yttrium iron garnet and / or lutetium ferrogranate. Moreover,
to enhance the Faraday effect, yttrium and / or lutetium can be partially or
completely replaced with bismuth and / or cerium. In addition, to give the desired
magnetic anisotropy, yttrium and / or lutetium can be replaced by rare earth
elements, such as, for example, praseodymium or neodymium. To ensure the required
magnetization characteristics, iron can be replaced by gallium and / or aluminum.

The opaque layer is obtained, for example, from aluminum. The light emitted by the
light source 2 and polarized by the polarizer 3 in the P direction passes through
the translucent substrate 41 to the magneto-optical layer 42, in which the
direction P of its polarization is rotated by the perpendicular component B ⊥ of
the magnetic field 10, is reflected by the opaque layer 43, undergoes another
rotation the direction of polarization and the output has a changed direction P 'of
polarization. As described above, a change in the direction of polarization of
light is detected by the sensor or sensors 6 and analyzed by an unshown analytical
device, for example, analog-to-digital converters and a microcomputer. Thus, by
moving the banknote BN in the transport direction T past the device 1, the magnetic
properties of the banknote BN can be displayed.

Figure 3 shows a typical graph of the dependence of the sensitivity of the magneto-
optical layer of the detector 4 on the magnetic field B || oriented parallel to the
surface of the detector 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic field B || created by the magnetic device

7, 8 is chosen so that it is in the region of the tension B || coll , at which the
magnetic domains of the magneto-optical layer 42 collapse, i.e. the domains passing
in the magneto-optical layer 42 disappear or pass into a single domain located in
the magneto-optical layer 42 and oriented parallel to it. For the above materials,
from which the magneto-optical layer 42 is made, the intensity B || of the magnetic
field call is from 40 to 100 mT. However, it is also possible to apply a magnetic
field with an intensity of less than 40 mT and even less than 1 mT.

If the magnetic field strength B || to choose in such a way that it is slightly

less than the intensity B || coll , at which the magnetic domains collapse, then a
high sensitivity of the magneto-optical layer 42 with respect to the magnetic field
B | . Since the magnetic field strength B || already lies in the region of the
value preceding the collapse of the magnetic domains, the latter have a
substantially finer structure than without the applied magnetic field B || , which
provides a significant increase in spatial resolution.

In this case, as indicated, for example, in the application WO 02/052498 A2

mentioned at the beginning of the description, it is possible to measure changes in
the position of the first and / or further diffraction orders generated by the
magnetic domains of the magneto-optical layer 42, while the period of the lattice
formed by the magnetic domains changes under the influence of a magnetic property,
i.e. under the influence of a magnetic field B ⊥ , the object BN under
investigation. However, for measurement it may be preferable to use a position-
sensitive detector or photodetector, for example a quadrant detector.

If the magnetic field strength B || choose in such a way that it corresponds to the
intensity B || coll , at which the magnetic domains collapse, for the intensity of
the investigated magnetic field B ⊥ provides a large dynamic range. Since the
magnetic field strength B || already such that it causes the collapse of magnetic
domains, the possible spatial resolution of the detector is significantly
increased.

If the magnetic field strength B || choose in such a way that it is in the region
of a value exceeding the B || coll intensity, at which the magnetic domains
collapse, the magneto-optical layer 42 with domains turns into a planar layer with
high sensitivity to the studied magnetic field B ⊥ , since the sensitivity
decreases only slightly. Since under the influence of the magnetic field B ||
magnetic domains collapsed, i.e. they disappeared, and there is only one planar
domain; in principle, any arbitrarily high spatial resolution can be obtained.

Figure 4 shows various options for magnetic devices 7, 8, designed to create a

magnetic field B || parallel to the surface of the detector 4.

Figures 4a and 4b show embodiments of magnetic devices 7, 8, which include two

permanent magnets 7 and 8, arranged in such a way that the most uniform magnetic
field B || parallel to the surface of the detector 4.

On figv and 4d also shows embodiments of a magnetic device 7, 8, which includes two
permanent magnets 7 and 8, with means 70, 71 to ensure uniformity of the magnetic
field B || . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4c, a conductor 70 is provided with a
current flowing therethrough parallel to the detector 4 and creating a magnetic
field that compensates for deviations of the characteristics of the magnetic field
created by the permanent magnets 7, 8 from the required characteristics of the
magnetic field B parallel to the detector 4 | . For the same purpose, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4 g, instead of a conductor with a current flowing through
it, it is provided to use an additional permanent magnet 71 located parallel to the
detector 4.

As an additional measure to ensure uniformity of the magnetic field, it is

advisable to close the free poles of the permanent magnets with a yoke of soft
magnetic material.

On fig.4d shows an embodiment of a magnetic device consisting of four permanent

magnets 7, 7 ', 8 and 8'. This device corresponds to the Helmholtz coil system and
creates a magnetic field B || with high uniformity and a clear directivity parallel
to the surface of the detector 4.

Obviously, to create a magnetic device, you can use other layouts of the magnets,
if this ensures the required uniform, oriented parallel to the surface of the
detector 4 of the magnetic field B || passing through the magneto-optical layer 42.
Instead of permanent magnets, electromagnets can also be used.

When using electromagnets, the possibility of applying a magnetic field B || (t)

varying in time. Using a time-varying magnetic field B || (t) allows you to apply
the synchronization technique when analyzing the signals received during the
measurement, according to which the evaluation or analysis of the signals received
during the measurement is performed depending on the change in the magnetic field
strength B || (t) in time. This allows you to significantly increase the signal-to-
noise ratio for the results of measuring the magnetic field B | . Suitable for a
time-varying magnetic field B || (t) the frequency is in the region of more than 10
kHz. The described time-varying magnetic field B || (t) can be created by
electromagnets and have a tension located in the region of the intensity described
above B || coll . At the same time, in order to obtain the necessary field strength
in the region of the value of B || call, it is also possible to create a field with
a constant component | and time-varying component B || (t). At the same time, in
particular, the named components may be related by: В || > B || (t). In yet another
embodiment of the invention, to create a time constant component B || Permanent
magnets are possible.

Figure 4e shows the possible placement of electromagnets 7 "and 8" to create a

magnetic field B || , which may also have, as indicated above, at least one
component B || (t) varying in time. Electromagnets 7 ", 8" may also have steel
cores. The electromagnets 7 ", 8" can also be applied in addition to the permanent
magnets 7, 7 ', 8, 8' shown in figa-4e.

As described above, the sensor 6 analyzes the fluctuations in light intensity

caused by the rotation of the direction of polarization, which allows you to get a
display of the magnetic properties of the object BN. For this, both the detector 4
and the sensor 6 have a line structure, the length of the detector 4 and the sensor
6 corresponding to at least one dimension of the object BN, which allows you to
fully examine the object. Both detector 4 and sensor 6 may consist of separate
elements arranged in rows, but may also consist of a single element, for example,
sensor 6 may consist of one row of CCD elements. The foregoing applies to the light
source 2, the polarizer 3, the analyzer 5 and the magnetic device 7, 8, i.e. and
they may consist of separate elements arranged in the form of strings or of
separate elements of appropriate sizes.

Instead of the described line structure of the components of the device 1, it is

also possible to provide their point structure, which allows one or more specific
points of the object BN to be examined. In the same way, you can provide a two-
dimensional structure of the components of the device 1, allowing you to explore
the BN object in full or in separate parts.

In contrast to the above-described variant of the device 1, which provides for the
movement of the object BN directed to the study past the device 1, this study can
also be performed without moving the device 1 and the object BN relative to each
other.

Of particular importance is the choice of the wavelength of light emitted by the

light source 2. In the case of light with a longer wavelength, the direction of its
polarization in the magneto-optical layer 42 undergoes only a slight rotation, and
light with a shorter wavelength is largely absorbed by the magneto-optical layer.
For this reason, the light source 2, which emits light with a length in the range
from 550 to 650 nm, in particular about 590 nm, is particularly well established.

Instead of the described embodiment of the detector 4, in which the sensors 6

receive and process the light reflected by the detector 4, in another embodiment,
the sensors 6 can receive the light passing through the detector 4.