Archiving

The unique know-how of ARNANO allows engraving a numerical document under analogical form with a very strong reduction (of X 32 to X170). This microscopic engraving is accomplished on wafers of “synthetic sapphire” of 200 mm in diameter. Any types of information (texts, plans, drawing, and photographs) can so be recorded on this extremely long life support. Information (up to the equivalent of 10 000 A4 page) so protected will have a life of several millenniums.

The preservation of numerical data on long term (beyond 30 years) raise today numerous problems. The solution of data storage with redundancy and periodical replication can bring the beginning of answer. However the evolution of numerical technologies, the risk of error introduced during replications (not negligible over long periods) and environmental risk are likely to lose for ever these data.

ARNANO offers an innovative solution to “record” for ever final numerical archives.

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Computer generated holography

A readable picture at the naked eye can be coded with the computer generated holography in a cloud of small points. The reading of the hologram is done by illuminating the cloud of points by laser light.

The particular ARANANO know-how is the ability to embed an hologram coded with a cloud of microscopic points in a picture in grey level or to “organize ” the cloud of points in a macroscopically readable graphic. It becomes very difficult to identify the presence of a hologram. This technique is extremely robust and almost tamper proof. It can therefore be used as an anti-counterfeiting “tag”.

The mineral thermolithography

The technology used to produce micro-decoration on sapphire pieces is based on the thermal exposure of a thin reactive metal film (about 50 nm).

After surface preparation, a metal film is deposited on the sapphire piece. Then the exposed areas with a laser are removed. The resolution is about 2 microns. This technology can be applied to pieces with any shape and having holes.

TECHNOLOGIES

ARNANO has developed an original know-how for new customer applications. These new skills, coming from its research and development activity, focus on three technologies:

• Maskless laser lithography for micro etching of thin film on transparent wafers (100 to 200 mm diameter) to manufacture NANOFORMS.
• Maskless laser lithography for micro etching thin film on transparent pieces (flat pieces of any size from 10 mm to 200 mm) to make micro-decoration.
• The computer generated holography for products traceability and authentication

Alain REY

Alain REY, the founder, is the president of ARNANO and heads Research & Development. He is an experienced project manager of teams (up to 200 persons), in R&D and in production. This experience was acquired in industrial environment of big groups and start-up (Thomson, Silmag, Thales Avionics) as well as in technological research in CEA. He also has a good experience in industrializing technologies transferred from CEA / LETI and from other companies like IBM or ONERA.