Abstract: A security document comprising a substrate including at least one region of transparent or translucent plastics material forming a window or half-window area, and a security device integrated into the window or half-window area, wherein the security device is formed from an embossed radiation curable ink, the security device including a diffractive structure comprising a multi-level diffractive optical element (DOE).

Abstract: Security and/or value document, with security features and with a verification element for verifying the security feature is disclosed. Integrated into the security and/or value document at different positions is at least one verification element and at least one security feature to be verified by the verification element. When the verification element and the security feature are only superimposed, verification takes place.

Abstract: A security document or device (30) is provided which has a substrate (31) including at least one layer (35,37) of polymeric material and an optical component formed by at least one orientating (PPN) layer (34) and at least one liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer (36) in contact with the orientating layer (34). An intermediate prime layer (38) is provided between the optical component and the substrate (31) which improves the adhesion of the optical component to the substrate (31). The prime layer (38) may include a hydroxyl terminated polymer which is cross-linked by a multifunctional isocyanate. A security document with such a prime layer between the optical component and a polymeric surface of the substrate is more robust and able to withstand rough treatment without significantly affecting the optical properties of the optical component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical component having at least one photo-oriented polymeric layer is provided. The apparatus includes a single source of laser radiation, beam splitting means for splitting the laser radiation into a first beam of linearly polarized light having a first plane of polarization (P) and a second beam of linearly polarized light having a second plane of polarization (S), first directing means for directing the first beam of linearly polarized light onto a first area or areas of at least one photo-orientatable polymeric layer to cause a first molecular orientation in said first area or areas of the layer and second directing means for directing the second beam of linearly polarized light onto said photo-orientatable polymeric layer to cause a second molecular orientation in a second area or areas of the layer.

Abstract: A security document (1) comprises a substrate (10) including at least one layer of. polymeric material (12, 26) and containing an upconverting fluorescent material (18), and at least one coating (14) containing a refractive pigment applied to the substrate (10). When the security document is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a particular wavelength, e.g. infra-red, the upconverting material (18) emits a signal of electromagnetic radiation of a shorter wavelength, e.g. visible light, and the coating (14) containing the refractive pigment enhances the signal.