Counter counterfeit technology
An identification patch having a plasmonic resonance structure may be used to ensure that an article is counterfeit-proof. The identification patch may be formed by a printing process, such as roll-to-roll printing or nanoimprinting, to create a distinctive ordered pattern of resonance elements. When the plasmonic resonance structure is irradiated, the ordered pattern of resonance elements produces a unique spectral response that is associated only with the counterfeit-proof article. The counterfeit-proof article may be a metal component or an integrated circuit. The resonant absorption of the plasmonic resonance structure may be measured to verify the authenticity of the article before use of the article.
1. A counterfeit-proof article comprising:
an exterior surface; and
at least one identification patch of material attached to the exterior surface, the identification patch of material having a plasmonic resonance structure, the plasmonic resonance structure having an absorber layer and an ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements that protrude from the absorber layer and that produce a distinctive optical response in an electromagnetic spectrum,
wherein the ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements produces a measurable Raman shift,
wherein the plasmonic resonance structures is formed of a metal oxide that is doped with a rare earth metal,
wherein the plasmonic resonance elements are equidistantly spaced, and
wherein each of the plasmonic resonance elements have a height of around 1 micron and a width of around 0.10 microns.
2. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the plasmonic resonance elements have a rectangular, cubic, hemi-spherical or disc shape.
3. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the plasmonic resonance elements are shaped as pyramidal shaped ridges, pyramidal teeth, circular or rectangular pillars, or circular or rectangular posts.
4. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the at least one identification patch of material has a length between 1 and 5 millimeters and a width between 1 and 5 millimeters.
5. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the counterfeit-proof article includes a serial number, barcode, or hologram attached to the exterior surface in addition to the at least one identification patch of material.
6. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the counterfeit-proof article is an integrated circuit.
7. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the plasmonic resonance elements are periodically spaced to focus plasma waves into the absorber layer.
8. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the plasmonic resonance elements extend perpendicularly to the absorber layer.
9. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 1 , wherein the identification patch has a shape that is rectangular or circular or disc-shaped.
10. A counterfeit-proof article comprising:
an exterior surface; and
at least one identification patch of material attached to the exterior surface, the identification patch of material having a plasmonic resonance structure, the plasmonic resonance structure having an absorber layer and an ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements that protrude from the absorber layer and that produce a distinctive optical response in an electromagnetic spectrum,
wherein the ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements produces a measurable Raman shift,
wherein the at least one identification patch of material has a length between 1 and 5 millimeters and a width between 1 and 5 millimeters,
wherein the counterfeit-proof article includes a plurality of identification patches of material attached to the exterior surface, each of the plurality of identification patches of material having a distinctive ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements, and
wherein the counterfeit-proof article includes a serial number, barcode, or hologram attached to the exterior surface in addition to the at least one identification patch of material.
11. A counterfeit-proof article comprising:
an exterior surface; and
at least one identification patch of material attached to the exterior surface, the identification patch of material having a plasmonic resonance structure, the plasmonic resonance structure having an absorber layer and an ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements that protrude from the absorber layer and that produce a distinctive optical response in an electromagnetic spectrum,
wherein the ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements produces a measurable Raman shift,
wherein the at least one identification patch of material has a length between 1 and 5 millimeters and a width between 1 and 5 millimeters,
wherein the plasmonic resonance structure is formed of a ceramic material and has a top surface that is coated with an electrically conductive material, and
wherein the plasmonic resonance elements each have a height of around 1 micron and a width of around 0.10 microns.
12. The counterfeit-proof article of claim 11 , wherein the identification patch includes a polymeric sheet of material, and the ordered pattern of plasmonic resonance elements are formed on the polymeric sheet of material.