Optically variable pigments and foils with enhanced color shifting properties

A color shifting pigment flake, comprising:

• a first absorber layer;
• a first dielectric layer on the first absorber layer;
• a first selective absorbing layer on the first dielectric layer;
• a reflector layer on the first selective absorbing layer;
• a second selective absorbing layer on the reflector layer;
• a second dielectric layer on the second selective absorbing layer;
• and
• a second absorber layer on the second dielectric layer;
• wherein the pigment flake exhibits a discrete color shift such that the pigment flake has a first color at a first angle of incident light or viewing and a second color different from the first color at a second angle of incident light or viewing.

A color shifting pigment flake, comprising:

• at least one reflector layer;
• a selective absorbing layer substantially surrounding the reflector layer;
• a dielectric layer substantially surrounding the selective absorbing layer;
• and
• an absorber layer substantially surrounding the dielectric layer;
• wherein the pigment flake exhibits a discrete color shift such that the pigment flake has a first color at a first angle of incident light or viewing and a second color different from the first color at a second angle of incident light or viewing.

A color shifting pigment flake, comprising:

• a core flake section including at least one reflector layer having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one side surface, and opposing selective absorbing layers preformed on the top and bottom surfaces but not on the at least one side surface of reflector layer;
• a dielectric layer substantially surrounding the core flake section;
• and
• an absorber layer substantially surrounding the dielectric layer;
• wherein the pigment flake exhibits a discrete color shift such that the pigment flake has a first color at a first angle of incident light or viewing and a second color different from the first color at a second angle of incident light or viewing.

A color shifting foil, comprising:

• a reflector layer;
• a selective absorbing layer on the reflector layer;
• a dielectric layer on the selective absorbing layer;
• and
• an absorber layer on the dielectric layer;
• wherein the foil exhibits a discrete color shift such that the foil has a first color at a first angle of incident light or viewing and a second color different from the first color at a second angle of incident light or viewing.

A color shifting colorant composition, comprising:

• a pigment medium;
• and
• a plurality of color shifting pigment flakes dispersed in the pigment medium, each of the pigment flakes comprising:
• a first absorber layer;
• a first dielectric layer on the first absorber layer;
• a first selective absorbing layer on the first dielectric layer;
• a reflector layer on the first selective absorbing layer;
• a second selective absorbing layer on the reflector layer;
• a second dielectric layer on the second selective absorbing layer;
• and
• a second absorber layer on the second dielectric layer;
• wherein the pigment flakes exhibit a discrete color shift such that the pigment flakes have a first color at a first angle of incident light or viewing and a second color different from the first color at a second angle of incident light or viewing.