Microsteganography on all inorganic perovskite micro-platelets by direct laser writing

Direct laser writing (DLW) is a mask-free and cost-efficient micro-fabrication technology, which has been explored to pattern structures on perovskites. However, there is still a lack of research on DLW methods for microsteganography. Herein, we developed a sophisticated DLW condition to pattern on CsPbBr3 perovskite micro-platelets (MPs). In addition to the reversible PL quenching caused by photo-induced ion migration, permanent nonradiative centers are also produced by the DLW treatment. Therefore, the patterned information is retained after long-term storage. Meanwhile, the mild DLW condition only results in a faint trace, which is almost invisible under a regular optical microscope. Thus, the patterned information is hidden unless applying an excitation source, which paves the way for applications in microsteganography and anti-counterfeiting. As a proof-of-concept, different patterns are drawn on the CsPbBr3 MPs by DLW, which are only observable under a fluorescence microscope.

Automated summary

This study successfully demonstrated the patterning of hidden microstructures on CsPbBr3 perovskite micro-platelets using DLW technology. With a sophisticated DLW condition, the information can be stored long-term and remains invisible to the naked eye, opening up new possibilities for applications in microsteganography and anti-counterfeiting.