Controlled nanostructures formation on stainless steel by short laser pulses for products protection against falsification

The coloration of stainless steel surface due to the formation of spatially periodic structures induced by laser pulses of nanosecond duration is demonstrated. The period of microstructures corresponds to the laser wavelength, and their orientation angle depends on the adjustment of laser polarization. The marking algorithm for the development of authentication patterns is presented. Such patterns provide several levels of protection against falsification (visual, colorimetric and structural) along with high recording speed and capability of automated reading. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement