Multilayer chromatic diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided
having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can
have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a
reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one
side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more
encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive
pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or
inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a
variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can
be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils
can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce
selected optical effects.
