Multi wavelength excitation/emission authentication and detection scheme

摘要

A system and method for authentication of secure products is disclosed. The security feature contains a first component in the form of an emitter capable of emitting light in response to external pump light. The security feature also contains a second component in the form of a taggant that absorbs light in a spectrally narrow range compared to the broader excitation spectrum of the first material. In this manner the emitter and taggant work in combination with one another to create an emission response significantly dependent on the illumination wavelengths and unique to the specific combination of the components. The emitter and taggant can be in the form of a mixture. Further the emitter and taggant may be applied in close proximity to one another, such as within two separate coating layers on a suitable substrate.

主权项

1. A method of authenticating an article comprising;
providing an emitter substance that emits light in response to an illumination by any wavelength selected from a broad spectral range, said range referred to as excitation spectrum; providing a taggant substance that absorbs light in at least one narrow spectral range absorption within the excitation spectrum; and non-concurrently exciting said emitter and taggant substances with at least two spectrally distinctive illuminations selected within said broad excitation spectrum, a first illumination spectrally corresponding to said one narrow absorption range of the taggant and a second illumination spectrally falling outside said one narrow absorption range of the taggant.