Diffractive optical element with asymmetric microrelief for creating visual security features.

We demonstrate a new security feature for visual control of the authenticity of optical security features - the change of the images when the optical element is turned by 180 degrees ("switch-180°"). The diffractive optical element has an asymmetric microrelief structure resulting from the asymmetry of the scattering pattern. The phase function of the diffractive optical element is computed in terms of Fresnel's scalar wave model. We developed efficient algorithms for computing the structure of flat optical elements to produce the switch effect. A sample of flat optical element for the "switch-180" effect has been developed using electron-beam lithography. The effectiveness of the development is illustrated by the photos and the video captured from a real sample. The visual "switch-180°" effect is easy to control allowing secure anti-counterfeit protection of the optical security feature developed. The new security feature is already used to protect IDs and excise stamps.