GLS551 Visible Light Absorbing Dye – 551nm Peak for Anti-Counterfeiting and Optical Applications
GLS551 is a high-performance visible light absorbing dye designed for wavelength-selective light management in the green-yellow spectrum. Measured in methyl acetate (MA), it delivers a defined principal absorption maximum of λmax = 551 ± 2 nm with a strong absorption band covering approximately 460–590 nm and a secondary shoulder near 515 nm.
The dye exhibits a steep spectral cut-off with virtually zero absorption above 600 nm, ensuring high transmission in the red and near-infrared regions. GLS551 is widely evaluated for:
- Security Inks & Anti-Counterfeiting: Creating machine-readable authentication marks with a unique 551 nm spectral signature.
- Optical Filters & Notch Filters: Blocking green-yellow light and laser lines while maintaining high transmission at adjacent wavelengths.
- Photosensitive Systems & Resins: Functioning as a photosensitive coupling agent (sensitizer) for photopolymer curing and imaging.
- Transparent Plastic Coloring: Wavelength-selective coloration in PMMA, PC, PS, and thermoplastic resins.
Specification
- Product Name: GLS551 Visible Light Absorbing Dye
- Product Type: Visible Light Absorber / Photosensitive Dye
- Appearance: Dark brown solid
- Transmitted Color: Magenta / Purplish-red (in solution or film, depending on concentration and substrate)
- Absorption Maximum (λmax): 551 ± 2 nm (measured in methyl acetate)
- Secondary Shoulder Peak: ~515 nm
- Measured Spectral Range: 300–750 nm
- Effective Absorption Band: 460–590 nm
- Transmission Range: High transmission (> 600 nm) across red and NIR spectrum
- Purity: ≥ 98%
- Moisture Content: ≤ 0.5%
- Heat Stability: Stable up to 230°C
- Solubility: Soluble in methyl acetate (MA)
- Compatible Matrices: PMMA, PC, PS, PET, epoxy resins, and UV-curable monomers
Note: While the raw material is a dark brown solid, it strongly absorbs green-yellow light. Therefore, the transmitted color in solutions, coatings, or cured films typically appears magenta or purplish-red.
Key Applications of Visible Light Sensitive Dyes of GLS551
1. Security Printing and Anti-Counterfeiting Inks
GLS551 provides a distinct and sharp spectral signature at 551 nm that is difficult to replicate with standard colorants. Formulated into security printing inks, it creates machine-readable authentication features for banknotes, passports, ID cards, tax stamps, certificates, and luxury brand packaging. The printed mark can be verified under calibrated narrowband optical readers while maintaining low interference with other visible graphics.
2. Optical Notch Filters and Band-Rejection Optics
With its high absorption coefficient centered at 551 ± 2 nm and sharp cut-off near 600 nm, GLS551 can be used to fabricate custom optical notch filters and bandpass components. It helps reject unwanted green-yellow light and laser lines in fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy systems, and multispectral imaging devices while preserving signal transmission at longer wavelengths.
3. Photosensitive Resins and Imaging Couplers
GLS551 serves as an effective sensitizer and photosensitive material coupler in photopolymerization and UV-curable systems. It enhances the photochemical response to green-yellow light exposure, improving curing efficiency, exposure sensitivity, and resolution in advanced imaging materials and specialty optical coatings.
4. Transparent Plastic Coloration & Functional Films
GLS551 can be incorporated into optical-grade thermoplastics including PMMA, PC, PS, and PET for transparent plastic parts, display overlays, and automotive head-up display (HUD) filters. It selectively filters green-yellow ambient light to enhance contrast and display clarity without degrading overall transparency in the red spectrum.
5. Specialty Industrial Inks and Coatings
The dye is suitable for high-precision coding inks, optical tracking coatings, and functional thin films where strict spectral control and thermal stability (up to 230°C) are required during industrial processing.
Recommended Dosage & Processing
- Anti-Counterfeiting Inks & Security Coatings: Recommended dosage is typically 0.05% – 0.5% (w/w) due to the high extinction coefficient of GLS551.
- Optical Filters & Transparent Plastics: Recommended dosage ranges from 0.1% – 1.0% (w/w), adjusted according to the target optical density (OD), part thickness, and required visible transmission.
- Photosensitive Resins: Initial screening at 0.1% – 0.8% (w/w) is recommended to optimize curing rate and depth of cure.
Pre-dissolving GLS551 in methyl acetate (MA) before blending with host resins, binders, or monomers is recommended to ensure uniform dispersion.
FAQ
Q1: What is the absorption profile of GLS551?
A1: Measured in methyl acetate (MA), GLS551 exhibits a principal absorption peak at 551 ± 2 nm with a secondary shoulder near 515 nm. The absorption band covers approximately 460–590 nm, followed by a sharp drop to near-zero absorption above 600 nm.
Q2: What color does GLS551 impart to finished products?
A2: Although supplied as a dark brown solid, GLS551 absorbs green-yellow light, causing the transmitted color of solutions, cured films, or molded plastics to appear magenta or purplish-red, depending on loading level and path length.
Q3: Can GLS551 be used in laser safety filters?
A3: Yes. Due to its strong absorption in the 500–580 nm region, GLS551 can be evaluated as an absorbing additive for optical filters and protective eyewear targeting green lasers and light sources around 532 nm – 551 nm.
Q4: Is GLS551 compatible with UV-curable resins?
A4: Yes. GLS551 can be dissolved and integrated into compatible UV-curable monomers and photopolymers, acting as a photosensitive coupling agent to broaden spectral sensitivity.
Q5: What is the thermal stability of GLS551?
A5: GLS551 is thermally stable up to approximately 230°C, making it suitable for standard thermoplastic compounding and hot-melt coating processes.