What is a hologram 8 12 2007 WHAT IS HOLOGRAPHY?

The physical basics of holography are optics of waves, especially interference and diffraction. Definition of Holography - A method of recording (usually photographically) a threedimensional image of an object. Normally laser light is used, but other radiations (including sound) can give holograms. The object is illuminated with laser light and the reflected light from the object is combined with direct light from the source, to give an interference pattern on a photographic plate. A three-dimensional image of the object is reconstructed by illuminating the interference pattern with the original light. The pattern includes information about phase and direction as well as intensity and color. WHAT IS HOLOGRAM? The hologram is a true, three-dimensional record of the original object. It contains depth and parallax, which is the ability to see around the object to objects placed behind. The word hologram is composed of the Greek terms, holos for whole view; and gram, meaning written. A hologram is a three-dimensional record of the positive interference of laser light waves. A technical term for holography is wave front reconstruction. In holography, we record the positive interference of matching wave fronts of laser light. This three-dimensional record is formed as a diffraction pattern; a series of very fine lines, or concentric circles. This diffraction grating bends the viewing light back onto the path of the original recording wave fronts of laser light. The threedimensional version of the object - the hologram is reconstructed as light. Since their introduction on payment cards in the early 1980s, holograms have become one of the most common overt or public security features on value documents and branded goods, their presence both indicating the authenticity of these items and providing a powerful deterrent to counterfeiting. Today, Holograms are used by more than 90 issuing authorities on nearly 250 bank notes denominations worldwide. They are used in many currencies such as EURO, Canadian Dollar, Brazilian Real, British Pound, Japanese Yen, South Korean Won etc. In India, Holograms are used in Excise labels, PAN Card, Pharma industry and FMCG. Holography is used in security as well in packaging. It is a highly versatile medium and holographic packaging materials such as laminating foils and films can be configured to a variety of packaging formats with minimal or no impact on standard converting and printing processes. Making of Hologram 8 09 2007 Making the Artwork: Using computer graphics, the artwork is generated on the computer on the basis of a conceptual design, wherein certain parts of the matter which the customer would like to appear in his hologram are recorded in the background (the bottom layer) and certain other parts in the foreground (the top layer). Image Setting: Using the special cameras to make the positive and the negative of each layer from the camera ready artwork. Holographic Recording and Master Origination: Exposing the positive of each layer, one after the another, to laser light with the aid of specialized imaging devices such as specialized lenses and mirrors and recording the same on a surface of an ultra clean, photo sensitive and specialized glass plate, to originate the Glass Master. At the end of this intricate and time consuming process, the original two dimensional image of the artwork gets transformed into a three

dimensional impression on the surface of the glass master, called the hologram. The hologram will diffract the seven colours of the spectrum (colours seen in a rainbow) and will produce the depth effect or the three dimensional (3D effect, when it is in viewed from different angles under any type of natural or artificial light, thereby giving it an extraordinary visual appeal. During holographic recording, secret information (e.g. code number can be recorded and concealed in one of the layers of the holograms to make it machine readable only (that is, under special lighting conditions and with the aid of special viewing instruments) in order to impart the inimitable optical security feature to the hologram. Uniqueness is inherent in the very process of holographic recording. If the same holographer but at two different points of time or if two different holographers but at the same point of time, were to carry out holographic recording from the positive of each layer, minute examination will reveal subtle differences between the two versions of the same hologram created by them. Thus, it is impossible to make an exact replica of the hologram and therefore it is regarded as virtually impossible to copy. Plate / Shim Making: Transferring the multi coloured, three dimensional impression of the hologram from the surface of the glass master to the surface of a nickel plate to create the nickel master. (after this, the glass master cannot be used any further and has to be discarded). By the same process and from the nickel master, additional nickel plates, also called shims are prepared for ultimate use in the embossing machine for mass production. Embossing: Transferring the multi coloured, three dimensional impression of the hologram from the surface of the shim to the surface of very thin, metallised polyester film, roll, through optimal application of heat and pressure. A special chemical coating known as Tamper Evident Coating on the base of the polyester film imparts an important additional security feature to the hologram, to detect any attempt at its unauthorized removal from the surface of a product or of its packaging or of a document. Adhesive coating and lamination (only for pressure sensitive label only: The embossed roll is continuously coated on its reverse with a water based pressure sensitive adhesive and dried and is thereafter continuously laminated with the silicon coated surface of the release paper to make a laminated roll. Die Cutting: After lamination the laminated roll is then duly cut in the size and the shape as the hologram and the size and shape required by the customer in a very specialized and modern die cutting machine. Finishing: Removal of the un-embossed portions of the metallised polyester film from and side trimming of each sheet bearing several pieces of the hologram to make the sheet / spool uniform in size and facilitate removal of holograms, one by one from the surface of the sheet / spool. The holograms are then finally passed through the quality control department, where each and every property of the hologram is thoroughly checked and finally these holograms are counted, packed and shipped.

Why Holograms cannot be forged 17 12 2007 Many people are today involved in Propaganda against Holograms due to vested interests in technologies which more often than not are in no way better or a replacement for Holographic security against duplication, since, Holograms provide a direct means to the end buyer of the product to visually differentiate between Genuine & Fake goods or Papers. Manufacturers of RFIDs, Colour Changing Inks or such other security inks etc. RFIDs are actually a means for anti-shoplifting use. Inks are OK, but literally any one having a screen printing facility & a small amount of such inks can duplicate the products secured by such inks only. However, it may be noted that such technology can be used in addition to holograms to multiply the overall security levels depending upon the threat perception of effort & expense a duplicator would go to duplicate a particular product. The users also need to understand that the Hologram manufacturers can provide additional security features within their Holograms at the designing and developing stage for somewhat additional mastering costs. Most of them can also additinal features like sequential numbering, use of specialized inks visible under specific conditions etc., use of specific colour films (The colours of films can be ordered to be changed by the buyer at reasonable intervals with prior notice to their vendors of Holograms) & use of special films that leave behind a specific pattern if effort is made to tamper with the Hologram for Holograms needing very high levels of security. Obviously each additional feature has an associated cost. The level of assurance against counterfeiting of Holograms is more THAN 99.9%. In most such cases reported, after investigations it was established that there were leakages of the original Holograms / Hologram shims from either the users premises or the Hologram vendors premises, which were used by the duplications on fake products. In some cases some counterfeiters have tried to obtain look alike Holograms from some unscrupulous stamping units on generic labels such look alike labels can be very easily identified, only by visual inspection. If need be help of the hologram manufacturers / associations can be obtained. Case studies show that, even with the simplest of Holograms the level of duplication of the products / documents of the Hologram users have come down to less than 5% of what it used to be. In almost all cases the duplicators of hologrammed products/ documents were caught because of the differences noticed in the look alike Holograms by the marketing personnel of the user, the people in their supply chain & in some cases even by the general public. Besides, because of the eye catching property of the holograms and the increased customer confidence in the products with them, the Hologram users on an average have reported more than 15% growth in their sales over and above the normal market average increment. What exactly is Holography? Holography is the process by which 3D (three-dimensional) visual information is recorded, stored, and replayed. Some of our 3D holographic labels incorporate machine read devices to validate the object of value at the point of redemption or for random verification in the product marketplace. This machine read device assures complete accuracy in determining the holographic label validity. The machine and security hologram label together create a secure environment. Security holograms' 3D images appear when held under certain light. A unique feature of the 3D hologram labels is the "parallax" which is the ability to see a scene and colors from many angles

and depths. The colorful effect comes from microstructures within the hologram label, which cause diffraction of the light hitting them. Another feature of hologram sticker is the complex optical patterns that they contain. These patterns encode information about the depth and photographic appearance of the image. Creating the master security hologram (originator) requires precision optical instruments, lasers and special photosensitive materials. Some produced hologram picture known as "covert" because the information is imbedded within the 3D hologram sticker and is only visible under certain types of light allowing for an additional level of security and verification. After the master security hologram is created, the image can be mass-produced in a variety of formats. Security Features The following are the security features in Holograms.

2D / 3D Multilayers

Holograms display a unique multi-level, multi-colour effect. These images have one, two or three levels of flat graphics "floating" one above the other in the hologram. Background matter seems to be "under" or "behind" the Foreground matter, giving the illusion of depth. These intriguing images can be viewed under different light sources with unique optical reflection of rainbow colours.

Colourgram

Colour photographs or transparencies are the origins for this type. Various levels of 3D effects can be attained in this type with fixing different colour and give colour assignments for normal viewing and can achieve nearly the true colour effect.

Microtext

Security message can be incorporated as a Microtext in a specific location within the design of the hologram. The message would not be visible to the naked eye, but only under a Microscope. This feature enhances the security of the design & provides the client the scope for authenticating the hologram.

Covert Image (Laser readable Image)

Security message is incorporated as a hidden image at a specific location within the design of the hologram. This message would not be visible to the naked eye. By the means of a hand held Laser torch the Covert image can be seen by pointing the laser on the area of the hidden image.

Flip Flop / Switching effect

A multiple layer hologram incorporating two Images in the Foreground where one image will be seen at a time. With the change in viewing angle the matter/image will switch between them in the foreground. This feature provides flexibility in designing to the client as well as create distinctive look for the hologram. Dot Matrix

The design elements in such holograms are broken into dots by means of a computer. The image would be formed by dots having different sizes, shapes, distances and intensity or brightness. Kinetic movements and Animation effects in the designs can be generated in the designs. All these effects have to be placed in the foreground thereby sacrificing the depth available in the 2D/ 3D holograms. These holograms have more brightness and better view ability under normal lighting conditions. It is possible to have a combination of a Dot Matrix with a conventional hologram to get the benefits of both features.

E beam (Electron Beam) An electron beam as compared to a laser beam is used to make these holograms. The electron beam makes it possible to have very high resolutions as compared to any optical means, thereby making it possible to incorporate very high security features such as nano text, covert animated images, kinematic images, high resolution line patterns etc.

3D Holograms

3D Hologram display a three dimensional image which looks identical to a solid object. The viewer can look around the top and sides of the image just like the actual object was there. Under proper illumination, these holograms look spectacular. You can see different portions of the image depending upon your point of viewing the hologram. A model of the same size as the label is required for making the master for the hologram.Used mainly for promotional purposes.

Stereograms

These holograms incorporate continuous movement or motion of the matter as the viewing angle is altered as compared to the 2 images in a flip flop. The frames of a video footage are used through a computer to make the master having continuous motion. Used mainly for promotional purposes.