Invisible holograms could replace bar codes in a bid to combat product
counterfeiting. Loughborough University spin-off Laser Optical Engineering says
the idea is to etch holographic codes with an infrared laser directly onto the
surface of products, such as computer components or CDs. Invisible to the naked
eye, the code can only be read with an infrared scanner that emits the correct
frequency of laser light. This means the information is contained in the product
itself rather than the packaging, like bar codes. Unlike the holograms on credit
cards, people won’t have to check they’re authentic.
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