EP2033026A2

EP2033026A2 - Security element

Info

Publication number: EP2033026A2
Application number: EP07725526A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Winfried HOFFMÜLLER
Original assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Current assignee: Giesecke and Devrient GmbH
Priority date: 2006-06-09
Filing date: 2007-05-24
Publication date: 2009-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-24
Also published as: EP2033026B1; WO2007140887A3; DE502007005217D1; DE102006027236A1; WO2007140887A2; ATE483176T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, valuable documents, and the like, comprising a carrier film (22) which is provided in at least one portion with an alignment layer (24) with an optical effect which can largely be disregarded, and with an aligned motif layer (30) arranged on the alignment layer (24), based on a liquid crystal material which has at least two areas (32, 34), forming a motif with different orientation of the liquid crystal material. According to the invention, the alignment layer (24) is formed from a cholesteric liquid crystal material, and the layer thickness of the alignment layer (24) is chosen such that its optical effect can be largely disregarded. In addition, the different orientation of the motif layer areas (32, 34) is caused by a different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal material of the alignment layer (24).

Description

security element

The invention relates to a security element for security papers, documents of value and the like having a carrier film which is provided at least in a partial region with an alignment layer having a substantially negligible optical effect, and with an aligned on the alignment layer, aligned motif layer based on a liquid crystalline material which has at least two areas forming a motif with different orientation of the liquid-crystalline material.

Valuables, such as branded goods or value documents, are often provided with security elements for safeguarding purposes, which allow a check on the authenticity of the object of value and at the same time serve as protection against unauthorized reproduction. In many cases, the special properties of liquid-crystalline materials are exploited, and above all the viewing angle-dependent color impression and the light-polarizing effect of the liquid crystals.

For alignment, the liquid-crystalline material is usually applied to a suitable for the alignment of liquid crystals carrier film made of plastic. The carrier sheet may also be provided with a special alignment layer for aligning liquid crystals. Suitable alignment layers are, for example, a layer of a linear photopolymer, a finely structured layer or a layer oriented by the application of shear forces. Suitable finely structured layers can be produced by embossing, etching, scoring or direct printing of the structures. The document EP 1 336 874 A2 discloses a process for producing anisotropic polymer films with an improved alignment of polymerizable, for example nematic or cholesteric liquid-crystalline material on a substrate having a structured surface which is in the form of lattices. The direction of the grids can be chosen freely, so that patterned structures can be created.

The photoaligment of liquid crystal layers is also known. In general, alignment layers of linear photopolymers are used, which can be patterned by exposure to polarized light. For example, document EP 0611 981 A1 describes an optical component having an anisotropic film of crosslinked liquid-crystalline monomers with locally different orientation of the liquid-crystal molecules, which has an alignment layer made of a photo-orientable polymer network in contact with the liquid crystal layer. The alignment layer is produced by selective irradiation with polarized UV light and the induced structure is fixed by crosslinking.

However, the technical complexity of the photoaligment of liquid crystal layers is considerable. Also, mostly polarized UV radiation is required to ensure alignment of the photopolymers. Aligning by embossing structures usually requires a separate operation, often in a separate machine.

Based on this, the present invention seeks to provide a security element of the type mentioned, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the security element provide improved alignment of liquid crystalline material and provide high protection against counterfeiting.

This object is achieved by the security element having the features of the main claim. A security paper, a data carrier and a corresponding manufacturing method are specified in the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is provided in a generic security element that

the alignment layer is formed from a cholesteric liquid crystalline material, and the layer thickness of the alignment layer is chosen so that its optical effect is substantially negligible, and that

the different orientation of the motif layer areas is effected by a different effective height of the helical structure of the semiconductor liquid crystal material of the alignment layer.

The different effective height of the helical structure determines the preferred direction of the cholesteric liquid-crystalline material (indicated by the so-called "director") at the end of the helical structure facing away from the carrier film, ie at the surface of the alignment layer. The alignment layer and / or the motif layer are preferably printed during the production of the security element. After application and a possible solvent drying step, the alignment layer and / or the motif layer are crosslinked by UV radiation or by electron beam. Before crosslinking, the alignment layer may still be subjected to a photoisomerization step, as explained below.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal material of the alignment layer is produced by regions with differently sized layer thicknesses. As explained in more detail below, the preferred direction of the cholesteric liquid crystal material changes within a pitch of 360 °. Therefore, on the surface of differently thick portions of the cholesteric alignment layer, the director generally points in various directions adjustable by the layer thickness. A subsequently applied nematic motif layer arranges with its preferred direction according to the respective specifications by the alignment layer. The preferred direction of the liquid crystals is in most cases in the layer plane. However, the invention also includes designs in which the preferred direction is slightly inclined to the horizontal.

According to a further likewise preferred variant of the invention, a layer with a photoisomerizable substance is applied to the carrier film as an alignment layer. As the photoisomerizable substance, a photo-isomerizable twisting agent can be advantageously used. The photoisomerizable twister may form the alignment layer together with a nematic liquid crystal system. Alternatively, the photoisomerizable reducer may be used in addition to a non-isomerized - O -

there are some twists. The photoisomerizable and non-photoisomerizable twisters used may differ in terms of their effectiveness (indicated by the so-called HTP (helical twisting power) value) and / or their concentration. For example, the isomerization of the additional twisting device can lead to a change in the HTP value of this twisting device and thus result in a different pitch. In addition, the additional twisting device in the non-isomerized state can produce a different direction of rotation than the non-photoisomerizable twisting device.

In this case, before the crosslinking of the alignment layer, the carrier film with the applied alignment layer is exposed to partial UV radiation in order to isomerize the photoisomerizable substance in these partial regions. The photoisomerization of the liquid crystal material usually causes an increase in the pitch of the resulting cholesteric helical structure.

The layer thickness of the alignment layer is therefore advantageously chosen so that it corresponds to the maximum desired rotation of the director of the cholesteric liquid crystals before the photoisomerization. By partial exposure and photoisomerization, the pitch of the helical structure in the exposed portions may be increased and the local twist of the director at the surface of the alignment layer may be reduced accordingly.

The UV exposure to isomerization is advantageously carried out in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, in particular in air, so that the polymerization is initially prevented by the oxygen inhibition. The UV exposure to crosslinking then takes place in an inert gas Atmosphere, especially in an argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide atmosphere.

Alternatively, UV exposure to isomerization may also be in a wavelength range that does not cause cross-linking of the alignment layer. This can be achieved, for example, by suitably tuning the photoinitiator for the polymerization and the photoisomerizable substance. Narrow-band exposure, for example with a UV laser, a UV LED or narrow-band filters outside the absorption band of the photoinitiator, initially triggers only the photoisomerization, but not the polymerization. Subsequently, the obtained structure can be fixed by the polymerization step.

The UV exposure to the isomerization is preferably carried out through a mask, which shields the radiation causing the isomerization in the impermeable areas. In particular, a rotating mask, a mask printed on the back side of the carrier film or a masking tape guided parallel to the carrier film, as described, for example, in the publication DE 10330421 A1, come into consideration here.

According to another preferred variant of the invention, the orientation layer is subjected to selective heating in regions before or during crosslinking, for example by means of a heat transfer roller provided with motifs or by means of a laser recorder, whereby it is also possible to achieve a regional change in the pitch of the helical structure.

The motif layer of the security element is advantageously formed on the basis of a nematic liquid-crystalline material. The layer thickness of the motif layer can be uniform and lies in particular between about 0.5 and about 4 microns.

The motif layer can be applied over the whole area to the alignment layer, since the motif is already predetermined by the different orientation of the alignment layer and taken over by the motif layer. Of course, the motif layer can additionally be applied to the alignment layer in the form of a second motif. The second motif can then be supplemented with the first motif formed by the differently oriented regions of the motif layer to form a total information.

The alignment layer is preferably formed by combining a nematic liquid crystal system with a twist. According to the invention, it is always applied in such a layer thickness that its optical effect within the security element is negligible, and the optical effect is determined essentially only by the optical properties of the motif layer. For this purpose, the layer thickness of the security element is preferably always chosen smaller than the 5-fold pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal material, since above this thickness already clearly recognizable color effects can occur.

Particularly preferably, the layer thickness of the alignment layer is even smaller than twice the pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal material. In addition to their negligible optical effect, such thin cholesteric liquid-crystal layers also have the advantage that they can be produced reproducibly and with good accuracy, so that the orientation of the liquid crystal, which is decisive for the orientation, is also important. Talle on the surface of the alignment layer can be reproduced and specified exactly.

In developments of the invention, one or more further layers can be provided which serve to protect the security element or one of its partial layers, to improve the adhesion of individual layers or to further increase the security against counterfeiting. The at least one further layer may, in particular, be a reflective layer, a diffraction-optically effective layer, such as a hologram, a color-tip-exhibiting layer, such as a further layer of cholesteric liquid-crystalline material, an interference layer, or a layer formed by iridescent interference-layer pigments or liquid-crystal pigments , or be a machine-readable layer. Such a machine-readable layer advantageously contains machine-readable feature substances, in particular reflective, magnetic, electrically conductive, phosphorescent, fluorescent or other luminescent substances.

The invention also includes a method for producing a security element for security papers, value documents and the like, in which

a carrier foil is provided and provided at least in a partial area with an alignment layer having a substantially negligible optical effect,

- On the alignment layer an aligned motif layer is applied based on a liquid-crystalline material having at least two forming a motif areas with different orientation of the liquid-crystalline material, wherein is applied as an alignment layer, a layer of a cholesteric liquid crystalline material in such a layer thickness that the optical effect of the alignment layer is substantially negligible, and wherein

the different orientation of the motif layer areas is effected by a different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal material of the alignment layer.

The invention further contains a security paper for the production of value documents or the like and a data carrier, in particular a value document, such as a banknote, identity card or the like, wherein the security paper or the data carrier according to the invention are equipped with a security element of the type described above.

The described manufacturing method can be advantageously carried out on a conventional printing press, so that no separate machine for aligning the liquid crystals is required. Also, no polarized UV radiation is needed for alignment. Overall, a targeted alignment of nematic liquid-crystalline material is possible, which can be produced by printing thin alignment layers very fine structures.

Further exemplary embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures, in the representation of which a representation in terms of scale and proportions has been dispensed with in order to increase the clarity. Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a banknote with a security element according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a security element according to an embodiment of the

Invention in cross-section and a linear polarizer for viewing the motif layer,

FIG. 3 shows plan views of the security element of FIG. 2, showing (a) the visual impression without aids and (b) and (c) the impression when viewed with a linear polarizer placed in different orientations, FIG.

Fig. 4 in (a) a security element according to another embodiment of the invention in cross-section, and in (b) a plan view of the security element of (a) when viewed with superimposed linear polarizer, and

Fig. 5 in (c) a security element according to a further embodiment of the invention, and in (a) and (b) intermediate steps in the production of the security element of (c).

The invention will now be explained using the example of a banknote. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a banknote 10, which is provided with a security element 12 according to the invention. As explained below, the security element 12 appears structureless when viewed without aids. Only when a polarizing filter is placed on the banknote becomes, appears for the viewer a preselected motive, which allows him an assessment of the authenticity of the bill.

With reference first to FIG. 2, according to a first variant of the invention, a security element 20 according to the invention has a carrier foil 22, for example a smooth PET foil of good surface quality, to which a thin alignment layer 24 made of a cholesteric liquid-crystalline material is applied, preferably printed. The imprint can be done for example in gravure, inkjet or flexographic printing.

The alignment layer 24 is in the form of the desired motif in different subregions 26, 28 with different sized layer thickness or d ₂ printed. In the exemplary embodiment, both layer thicknesses di and d ₂ lie below twice the pitch h of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal material. The pitch h of the cholesteric liquid crystal material is typically a few hundred nm. For example, the layer thickness di may be about 5/4 * h and the layer thickness d ₂ about 3/2 * h, so that the layer thicknesses differ by Δd = h / 4. Since the preferred direction of the cholesteric liquid crystal material, which is indicated by the so-called director rotates about the pitch h just by 360 °, the orientations of the director differ on the surface of the portion 26 and on the surface of the portion 28 to

Δφ = Δd * 360 ° / h,

in the present case by Δφ = 90 °.

Cholesteric liquid crystal layers with a layer thickness in the range or below 2 times the pitch h can be reproduced and with good accuracy. The different orientation Δφ of the director on the surfaces of the regions 26 and 28 can therefore be specified as desired.

On the thus structured alignment layer 24, a comparatively thick motif layer 30 of nematic liquid-crystalline material is printed. The layer thickness of the motif layer 30 is typically substantially greater than the layer thicknesses of the alignment layer 24 and is for example 0.5 to 4 μm. The motif layer 30 can also be printed over the entire surface with a uniform layer thickness.

According to the invention, the cholesteric liquid crystals of the alignment layer 24 serve to align the nematic liquid crystals of the motif layer 30. The liquid crystals of the nemate layer 30 always align themselves with their preferred direction so that their director points in the direction of the director of the surface of the underlying alignment layer 24. The different orientations of the director on the surface of the subregions 26, 28 of the alignment layer 24 thus produce a different orientation of the nematic liquid crystals in the subregions 32 and 34 of the motif layer 30, as indicated by the different hatching in FIG.

The motif of the alignment layer formed by the subregions 26, 28 thus continues into the motif layer 30, resulting in a structured retarder with a regionally different orientation in accordance with the specifications of the motif of the alignment layer.

The optical effect of the cholesteric alignment layer 24 can be neglected due to its low layer thicknesses di, 02 <h. typical In fact, in the case of cholesteric liquid crystal layers, a layer thickness of the order of magnitude of 10 * h, ie ten times the pitch, is required in order to achieve a distinct color-shift effect. The layer thickness of the alignment layer 24 is therefore chosen smaller than this layer thickness in the context of the invention, preferably even significantly smaller and more preferably below twice the pitch h, as in the exemplary embodiment described above. The optical effect of the security element 20 is then determined only by the differently oriented regions of the motif layer 30, while the alignment layer 24 does not contribute to the optical effect, but merely serves for the correct alignment of the nematic layer 30.

When viewing the security element 20 without aids, the different orientation of the subregions 32, 34 of the motif layer can not be recognized, since the differently polarizing effect of the two subregions is not perceptible to the naked eye. This is illustrated in the plan view of Fig. 3 (a) by the outline of the printed motif only indicated. By contrast, with the aid of a linear polarizer 36 placed on the security element 20, depending on the orientation of the polarizer 36, one of the partial areas 32, 34 appears dark, while the other is bright, as shown in the plan views of FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c). As a result of the orientation difference Δφ of the partial regions 32, 34, it is possible to set the contrast difference which can be achieved in a targeted manner.

If the layer structure shown in FIG. 2 is arranged, for example, on a reflector, not shown here, which is formed by a further layer of cholesteric liquid-crystalline material, the orientation difference Δφ of the partial regions 32, 34 of 90 ° provides maximum contrast between light and dark in the exemplary embodiment. since the linear polarizer 36 can be oriented so that it is maximally transparent to light from the partial areas 32, while blocking light from the partial areas 34 (FIG. 3 (b)). When the linear polarizer 36 rotates through 90 °, the situation reverses and the polarizer blocks light from the subregions 32 while it is reading light from the subregions 34, as shown in FIG. 3 (c).

On the other hand, if the reflector is provided by a metallic layer, an orientation difference Δφ of 45 ° proves to be advantageous in order to achieve a maximum difference in contrast.

By choosing other values for Δφ or adding other sub-areas with different orientation differences, you can also display motifs with several gray shades.

The alignment layer 24 does not need to be fully applied in the invention. In the regions in which the alignment layer 24 has recesses or even larger gaps, the orientation of the motif layer 30 is then determined by an orientation predetermined by the carrier film 22 or by a separate alignment layer on the carrier film 22. The same effect can be achieved by a very thinly applied region of the alignment layer 24, since the preferred direction of a very thin cholesteric liquid crystal layer practically corresponds to the preferred direction of the underlying carrier film or an alignment layer, for example from a photoorientierbaren polymer network.

The motif layer 30 can be applied over the whole area to the alignment layer 24, since a first motif is already predetermined by the structure of the alignment layer 24. Of course, the motif layer 30 but also applied in the form of a second motif, which is then superimposed and / or supplemented with the first motif of the alignment layer 24.

For example, as shown in the security element 40 of FIG. 4 (a), the alignment layer 44 may be applied in the form of narrow parallel strips 46, 48 of different layer thickness and the motif layer 50 printed on the alignment layer 44 in the form of a coat of arms or any other graphic motif become. When viewed through a polarizer, alternating stripes of different brightness (first motif) can then be seen within the coat of arms (second motif), as shown in the plan view of FIG. 4 (b).

The alignment layer 24 or 44 is advantageously printed on the carrier film 22. The cholesteric liquid crystals of the alignment layer can be obtained in a manner known per se from nematic liquid crystals by adding small amounts of a twisting agent. After drying the solvent, the alignment layer is crosslinked by means of UV radiation or electron beam. Subsequently, or after an intermediate storage of the coated carrier films, a layer of nematic liquid crystals is printed. These orient themselves, as described, at the orientation of the uppermost molecular layer of the alignment layer, so that the Nematen layer can orient locally differently even with full-surface printing and therefore reproduce a desired motif.

After drying of the solvent and UV crosslinking, it is possible to carry out further customary steps in the production of security elements which do not form the core of the present invention and are therefore mentioned only briefly. For example, hologram embossing lacquer can be applied and a Holograinmprägung (UV or thermal) take place. Also a direct metallization, the application of heat sealing lacquer and subsequent application to a value document come into question, as well as the combination with other cholesteric liquid crystal structures and the transfer to a thread structure, for example for a security thread embedded in a security paper.

In a second variant of the invention, the different orientation of the motif layer is produced by selective photoisomerization of a photoisomerizable substance in the alignment layer.

To produce a security element 60 according to the second variant of the invention, a thin alignment layer 64 of a cholesteric liquid-crystalline material having a uniform layer thickness d is first applied to a smooth PET film 62 of good surface quality, as shown in FIG. 5 (a). The alignment layer is preferably printed. Optionally, it is dried physically or by a thermal dryer after printing.

The alignment layer 64 in this variant of the invention contains a photoisomerizable substance which isomerizes on exposure and thereby alters the pitch of the resulting helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal material. The photoisomerizable substance may be a photoisomerizable twisting agent whose twisting strength changes upon exposure.

After the deposition, the alignment layer 64 is exposed in a further step in air to a desired subject with UV radiation 66, as shown in Fig. 5 (b). The exposure effects in the irradiated portion 68 a photoisomerization of the cholesteric liquid crystal material and thus usually an increase in the pitch of the helical structure. The layer thickness d of the alignment layer 64 is therefore chosen in the exemplary embodiment so that it corresponds to the maximum desired rotation of the director of the cholesteric liquid crystals. If the pitch of the helix structure in the exposed portions 68 is increased by local exposure and photoisomerization, the twist of the director on the surface of the alignment layer 64 is thereby reduced.

The exposure can be done by a mask 70, for example with a flashlamp as a radiation source. Also, a rotating mask, for example, a rotating, equipped with motifs transparent cylinder, such as quartz or plastic, comes into question. The cylinder can be arranged both above the moving web and under the moving web. In the latter case, wrapping of the web with full contact is possible, but the carrier film 62 must be transparent in the UV range used for the isomerization. In the case of a mask cylinder arranged above the web, this requirement does not apply to the carrier film 62, but there is a risk that the contact of the cylinder with the web disturbs the layer.

The exposure can also be done by a mask already printed on the back of the film. Also in this case, the film must be transparent to the UV radiation used. The latter method may require the transfer of the layer at the latest at the end of the production process, should the mask motif not appear in the final product. Alternatively, the motif can also be applied with a removable printing ink, which after exposure removed from the carrier film 62, z. B. washed off, is. It is also conceivable, the motive of the mask by a UV-absorbing and visually unrecognizable ink to produce. A mask provided with such a print can therefore remain on the carrier film.

Furthermore, the exposure can be effected by a masking tape guided parallel to the carrier film 62, as described in the publication DE 10330421 A1.

The exposure can be done with both the positive image and the negative image of the desired subject. The mask 70 used may be absorbent or reflective, in which case the heating of the mask or foil may be minimized. It is understood that only the radiation leading to isomerization must be shielded from the mask.

After the exposure step, a certain rest time is needed in which the reorganization of the liquid crystal molecules in the irradiated areas stabilizes. For this purpose, the printed and exposed carrier film advantageously passes through a heated zone with low turbulence so that the alignment layer will not be faded.

Since the exposure for the photoisomerization is carried out in air, the oxygen inhibition prevents the polymerization of the alignment layer 64 in the partial region 68. Rather, the polymerization of the alignment layer 64 is triggered only in a further step by UV irradiation of the entire alignment layer in a protective gas atmosphere (for example Ar, N ₂ or CO ₂ ). The different helical structures in the irradiated and non-irradiated areas are permanently fixed by the crosslinking of the alignment layer. Now, as in the first aspect of the invention described above, a motif layer 72 of nematic liquid crystals can be printed on the alignment layer 64 over the entire surface or in the form of another motif. In this variant of the invention, too, the nematic liquid crystals arrange with their preferred direction according to the specifications of the alignment layer 64, so that motif areas 74 and 76 with different orientation of the nematic liquid crystals are formed, as shown in FIG. 5 (c). The detection of the motif can be done by means of a linear polarizer, as in the embodiments described above.

Instead of carrying out the photoisomerization and the polymerization in different atmospheres, it is also possible in an alternative production process to match the photoinitiator and the photoisomerizable substance responsible for the polymerization so that photoisomerization and polymerization at different wavelengths can be carried out. Then, for example, the photoisomerization of the first step can be effected by using a narrow band radiation source, such as a laser source, UV LEDs, or conventional radiators in conjunction with narrow band filters, without causing polymerization by the radiation lying outside the absorption band of the photoinitiator. This can then be done conventionally in a second step with a conventional UV emitter.

In a further process variant, the photoisomerization can also take place before the solvent drying, so that only a heated dryer section is required. In this variant, the crosslinking of the alignment layer 64 then takes place after passing through the solvent dryer.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Security element for security papers, value documents and the like with

a carrier film which is provided at least in a partial region with an alignment layer having a substantially negligible optical effect, and

a aligned motif layer arranged on the alignment layer and based on a liquid-crystalline material which has at least two regions forming a motif with different orientation of the liquid-crystalline material,

characterized in that

the different orientation of the motif layer regions is effected by a different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid-crystalline material of the alignment layer.

2. Security element according to claim 1, characterized in that the different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystalline material of the alignment layer is generated by regions with different thicknesses layer.

3. Security element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid-crystalline material of the alignment layer is produced by a different pitch of the helical structure.

4. A security element according to claim 3, characterized in that the alignment layer contains a photoisomerized substance, wherein the different pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystalline material of the alignment layer is generated by a selective selective photoisomerization of the photoisomerizable substance.

5. A security element according to claim 4, characterized in that the photoisomerized substance is formed by a photo-isomerized Verdriller.

6. The security element according to claim 3, wherein the different pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid-crystalline material of the alignment layer is produced by selective heating of the cholesteric liquid-crystalline material before or during crosslinking of the alignment layer.

7. Security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the motif layer is formed on the basis of a nematic liquid-crystalline material.

8. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the layer thickness of the alignment layer is always smaller than 5 times the pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystalline material.

9. A security element according to claim 8, characterized in that the layer thickness of the alignment layer is always less than twice the pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystalline material.

10. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the alignment layer is formed by combining a nematic liquid crystal system with a Verdriller.

11. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the motif layer is applied over the entire surface of the alignment layer.

12. The security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the motif layer is applied in the form of a second motif on the alignment layer.

13. The security element according to claim 12, characterized in that the second motif is supplemented with the first motif formed by the differently oriented areas of the motif layer to form an overall information.

14. A security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that one or more further layers vorge see who serve the protection of the security element or one of its partial layers, improved adhesion of individual layers or a further increase in the security against counterfeiting.

15. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one further layer is a reflective layer, a diffraction-optically effective layer, a layer exhibiting a color-shift effect, or a machine-readable layer.

16. The security element according to claim 15, characterized in that the machine-readable layer contains machine-readable feature substances, in particular reflective, magnetic, electrically conductive, phosphorescent, fluorescent or other luminescent substances.

17. A method for producing a security element for security papers, value documents and the like, in which

a carrier film is provided and provided with an alignment layer having a substantially negligible optical effect, at least in a partial area,

on the alignment layer, an aligned motif layer based on a liquid-crystalline material is applied, which has at least two regions forming a motif with different orientation of the liquid-crystalline material,

characterized in that is applied as an alignment layer, a layer of a cholesteric liquid crystalline material in a layer thickness, that the optical effect of the alignment layer is substantially negligible, and that

the different orientation of the motif layer areas is effected by a different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystalline material of the alignment layer.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the alignment layer and / or the motif layer is printed.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the alignment layer and / or the motif layer is crosslinked after application by UV radiation or electron beam.

20. The method according to at least one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the alignment layer is applied in regions in different thicknesses layer to produce the different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystalline material.

21. The method according to at least one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that as an alignment layer, a layer is applied with a photo-isomerizable substance.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the alignment layer contains a photoisomerizable substance as a photoisomerizable Verdriller.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the carrier film is applied with the applied alignment layer prior to crosslinking of the alignment layer in partial areas with UV radiation in order to isomerize the photoisomerizable substance in these partial areas.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the exposure to UV radiation for isomerization in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, in particular in air, takes place.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the exposure to UV radiation for isomerization by a mask which shields the isomerization causing radiation, in particular by a rotating mask, a printed on the back of the support film mask or a parallel to masking tape guided masking tape.

26. The method according to at least one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the application of UV radiation for crosslinking in an inert gas atmosphere, in particular in an argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide atmosphere occurs.

27. The method according to at least one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the application of UV radiation for isomerization in a wavelength range which causes no crosslinking of the alignment layer.

28. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the alignment layer is selectively heated in regions before or during crosslinking, in order to generate the different effective height of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid-crystalline material.

29. The method according to at least one of claims 17 to 28, characterized in that a layer based on a nematic liquid-crystalline material is applied as a motif layer.

30. The method according to at least one of claims 17 to 29, characterized in that the alignment layer is applied in a layer thickness less than 5 times the pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystalline material.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the alignment layer is applied in a layer thickness less than twice the pitch of the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid-crystalline material.

32. The method according to at least one of claims 17 to 31, characterized in that the motif layer is applied over the entire surface of the alignment layer.

33. The method according to at least one of claims 17 to 31, characterized in that the motif layer is applied in the form of a second motif on the alignment layer.

34. Security paper for the production of value documents or the like, which is equipped with a security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 33.

35. Data carrier, in particular value document, such as banknote, identity card or the like, which is equipped with a security element according to one of claims 1 to 33.

36. Use of a security element according to at least one of claims 1 to 33, a security paper according to claim 34 or a data carrier according to claim 35 for securing against counterfeiting of goods of any kind.