This company offers functional dyes from the visible to the near-infrared (NIR) range.

“In labeling applications, NIR dyes have both machine readability and covert security features–due to the lack of absorption in the visible range,” said John Harder, senior chemist. “This unique combination has helped protect valuable documents, packaging and other authentic materials from unauthorized copying, forging, counterfeiting, and other fraudulent use.”

Harder said some of Kodak’s commercial uses of NIR dyes include imaging film with infrared lasers, used in various applications. For example, an NIR dye can be used to absorb the energy from the laser to develop an image on a film. Second, an NIR dye can be used in a separate layer to prevent back reflections from the supporting layer.

In a third instance, an NIR dye can be used as a filter dye coated in the layer above the imaging layer. “These dyes should be shorter in wavelength and act to filter out light not coming from the laser energy,” Harder said.

For additional information, visit www.kodak.com/go/specialtychemicals.