OPTICAL INFORMATION CARRIER

摘要

An optical information carrier (1) is in the form of a composite laminate (2) having a carrier foil (3). The underside (4) and the top side (5) of the carrier foil (3) are provided with optically effective structures (6; 7). The carrier foil (3) is approximately transparent for light in a predetermined spectral range. The structures (7) allow light impinging on the top side (5) to penetrate at least partially into the composite laminate (2). The structures (6) on the underside (4) are microscopically fine relief structures (10) which are covered with a base layer (8) whose refractive index differs from the refractive index of the carrier foil (3) in at least a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum so that the structures (6) on the underside (4) at least partially reflect and diffract the light (11) which has penetrated into the composite laminate (2). The structures (7) on the top side (5) in turn modify the diffracted light (18). The interplay of the two structures (6; 7) provides manifold characteristic optical effects such as moiré effects and light guide effects. It is also possible in that way to produce optical storage means, retroreflectors and other security features, being well protected from foreign access.