ISO/IEC 11693-3:2015

Overview

ISO/IEC 11693-3:2015 - "Identification cards - Optical memory cards - Part 3: Authentication techniques" defines authentication techniques for optical memory cards. It is part of the ISO/IEC 11693 series and is specific to authentication elements used with holographic and linear recording methods. The standard describes the purpose, layered construction, optical characteristics and minimum practical recommendations (for example, a recommended minimum authentication element area of 10 mm × 10 mm) and references relevant test and physical characteristic standards.

Key Topics

• Authentication element concept: User-defined optical features integral to the accessible optical area used for authentication.
• Layered construction: Typical layers include one or more protective layers, a storage layer, an optional reflective layer, a substrate, and an adhesive. The storage layer may be the only required layer in the simplest designs.
• Storage layer materials: Examples given include silver-halide films, dichromated gelatin, photoresists, photopolymers, liquid crystal polymers, metal films and dye–polymer films. Material choice drives recording/read parameters (wavelength, read power).
• Optical properties: Definitions and requirements for reflectivity, scattering (diffuse reflection), optical resolution (e.g., line pairs/mm), diffraction and diffraction efficiency (noted as varying between ~1% and 100% depending on medium).
• Protective layer requirements: Must be transparent to the read/write beam and, when polarization is used, free of birefringence to avoid altering readout.
• Physical and environmental characteristics: Guidance on dimensions (minimum area recommendation), bending stiffness, warpage, UV/X‑ray considerations, chemical resistance, durability and conditioning - ensuring authentication elements remain readable and reliable.
• Interoperability: The document cross-references test methods and related parts of ISO/IEC 11693 and optical-recording method standards for dimensional and optical-property specifications.

Applications

• Secure identity documents and ID cards (national ID, driver's licences)
• Access control and employee credentials where tamper-resistant optical authentication is required
• Anti-counterfeiting features on payment or transit cards
• Card manufacturers, security feature designers, system integrators, and conformity assessment labs use this standard to design, manufacture, test and evaluate optical authentication elements and ensure robustness against environmental and physical stresses.

Related Standards

This part references and complements other standards in the series and test-methods, including:

• ISO/IEC 11693-1, 11693-2 (General characteristics; Co‑existence)
• ISO/IEC 11694 / 11695 series (linear and holographic recording method parts)
• ISO/IEC 7810 (Identification cards - Physical characteristics)
• ISO/IEC 10373-1 and ISO/IEC 10737-5 (Test methods)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 11693-3, optical memory cards, authentication techniques, identification cards, holographic, linear recording, storage layer, reflective layer, optical security.