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Digital Holographic Mastering Services
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CI Photonics provides advanced holographic mastering services for security authentication devices and artistic and visual holography.
Using computational holographic design and precision lithographic mastering, we originate high-resolution holographic masters capable of producing complex diffractive imagery, vivid lifelike colors, and deep spatial parallax.
Our technology enables security holograms and visual holography with a level of optical control and visual richness that goes far beyond conventional embossed holograms.
Service Models
Full-Service Mastering
CI Photonics manages the complete holographic origination process.
Services include:
- Holographic artwork concept and design
- Optical simulation and effects specification
- Direct-write lithography on photoresist
- Electroforming and nickel shim production
- Quality inspection and master delivery
This model is ideal for brands, institutions, and companies developing new holographic security or visual products.
Origination Only
CI Photonics can also provide precision mastering for externally designed holograms.
Capabilities include:
- Acceptance of client-supplied phase maps or artwork
- Support for Firefly HDS or compatible open formats
- Direct write-out on photoresist substrates
- Delivery of nickel shims or UV resin masters
This service is available for qualified hologram producers and industrial partners.
Security Holography
CI Photonics mastering services support advanced multi-level security holography used in authentication and anti-counterfeiting systems.
Modern holographic security devices typically combine multiple levels of protection, allowing both visual verification and forensic authentication.
Overt Security
Features visible to the naked eye without inspection tools.
Examples include:
- ·Achromatic holographic elements
- ·Kinetic stripes and motion effects
- ·Animated imagery
Covert Security
Features requiring simple inspection tools such as UV light, laser pointers, or magnification.
Examples include:
- ·UV-fluorescent hidden images
- ·Laser-reveal encrypted data
- ·Point source floating image
Forensic Security
Features verifiable only with specialized laboratory instruments.
Examples include:
- ·Spectral fingerprints
- ·Phase-encoded serial structures
- ·Machine-readable OVD data
IOTA Image Register
CI Photonics maintains a close and long-standing relationship with the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) (formerly IHMA), having served on its Board of Directors in 2024.
Mastered designs can be entered into the IOTA Image Register, a global anti-counterfeiting database used by customs authorities and brand owners worldwide.
Artistic & Visual Holography
In addition to security applications, CI Photonics mastering technology enables high-fidelity artistic and visual holography.
These holograms are designed for visual impact, creative design, and collectible products.
Applications include:
- Collectible holographic cards
- Premium packaging holography
- Artistic holographic prints
- Books and visual publications
Mastering Technology
Our mastering process is built around the lithography platform, developed internally by CI Photonics.
systems perform direct-write microlithography in photoresist, enabling fabrication of high-resolution diffractive microstructures with precise phase control.
This capability allows the creation of:
- Holographic images
- Diffractive optical elements
- Complex multi-level microstructures
- Optical variable devices (OVDs)
Optical Effects
Firefly microlithographic systems can generate a wide range of optical and holographic effects used in security and visual holography.
Layered holographic compositions allow multiple effects to be combined while maintaining independent brightness control and optical behavior, enabling complex designs and advanced security features.
Rainbow Effects
Classic diffractive holographic imagery.
Examples include:
- photographic holographic images (constant depth)
- depth-map based 3D photo effects
- multiplexed 3D imagery
- animated holographic sequences
Kinetic Effects
Dynamic optical patterns that change with viewing angle.
Examples include:
- kinematic image animation
- sparkle effects
- pillars of light
- contrast flip
- rotational flip
Achromatic Diffractive Effects
Structures that create white or monochrome optical effects without rainbow diffraction.
Examples include:
- spherical Fresnel lenses
- engraved relief imagery
- white kinetic imagery
- wave-lens patterns
- sand-blasted surface textures
- zone plate structures
Security Features
Advanced optical security elements.
Examples include:
- Laser Readable Images — holographic content designed to be machine-verified with a laser
- Floating Images — optical elements that appear to hover above the surface
- Microtext / Microimages — extremely small and intricate authentication structures
Advanced Holographic Effects
High-complexity holographic optical structures.
Examples include:
- SpectraBlend — constant-depth photographic holograms with vivid color fidelity and visual characteristics similar to analog holography
- SpectraBlend PolyBeam — multi-view holographic imagery with enhanced parallax and animation
- ZeroView White — zero-diffraction-order holograms with single or dual-parallax imagery
- MicroOptix White — advanced microlens-based holographic optical effects
Mastering Outputs
Photoresist originals, nickel shims, and UV resin masters produced using Firefly lithography.
Request Mastering Service
Tell us about your holographic mastering project, and our engineering team will arrange a consultation.
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