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Magnetic line scan cameras for increased security

Giesecke & Devrient, the Rosen Technology & Research Centre and iC-Haus are joining forces in a new research project to develop innovative magnetic line scan camera systems that can be used to measure high-resolution two- and three-dimensional magnetic signals quickly and accurately. In the banknote production industry, magnetic field structures provide machine-readable security features which allow the authenticity of banknotes to be established beyond doubt.

Security is also the byword for magnetic line scan cameras which are used to detect and assess material defects in facilities such as oil and gas pipelines. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is sponsoring the joint project, which goes by the name of MagnetoScan and is due to be completed by the end of 2011.

Using highly-sensitive magnetic sensors developed by iC-Haus, Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is developing a line scan camera system capable of detecting extremely small, two-dimensional magnetic signatures with a magnetic field strength less than that of the Earth’s. One important aspect of modern banknote design is the requirement for machine readability and automatic authentication. Magnetic signatures facilitate the creation of new and highly-complex security features which can be used to authenticate banknotes or identity documents, or even protect branded goods against product piracy. Undetectable to the human eye, these features enhance the level of protection – they are scanned in a fraction of a second and provide unequivocal proof as to whether an object is genuine or counterfeit.

The innovative magnetic line scan camera will form an integral part of the array of high-performance sensors that are used in G&D’s banknote processing systems for central banks, among others. All the components are perfectly inter-coordinated and ensure that forgeries are reliably withdrawn from circulation.

The Rosen Technology & Research Centre is working on a different application. It is developing a high-resolution magnetic line scan camera for the three-dimensional measurement of very large magnetic fields. This high-precision camera system will be integrated into a pigging system that permits non-destructive inspection of gas and oil pipelines, thereby enabling material defects such as cracks or corrosion to be identified in good time – an important aid in the prevention of environmental damage.

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