Floating image
Optically variable element visually perceived as an image hovering or floating in space above or below the document surface.
Characteristic features of the floating image:
- the effect of floating in space emerges when the image is viewed at a right angle and disappears when viewed at an acute angle;
- the kinetic effect is perceived as a slight movement of the image together with the observer when the viewpoint is changed.
The effect of floating images is achieved due to multilayer cell-structured laminate which consists of an array of spherical diverging and converging microlenses. According to the laws of geometrical optics, microlenses produce false images which are perceived by the human eye as floating above or below the document surface.
Retroreflective effect characterized by bright luminescence and color changing is observed when color images are viewed in coaxial light.
The effect of floating images. Scheme
a
b
c
Australia. Emergency passport (2014):
a — uneven laminate structure; b — floating images in the form of black-and-white animal figures. View at a right angle; c — the same image viewed when tilted. The figures move in respect to the text lines
d
e
f
Australia. Diplomatic passport (2014):
d — regular laminate structure (3M™ Color Floating Image Security Laminate); e — floating images in the form of red and blue animal figures. View at a right angle; f — the same image viewed when tilted. The figures move in respect to the text lines
g
h
Australia. Diplomatic passport (2014):
g — retroreflective effect. View at a right angle in coaxial light; h — the same image. Zoomed fragment — bright luminescence of the animal figures