a tape data carrier for protecting articles and documents from counterfeiting and copying is formed by a polymer structure including at least one polymer layer of which at least one layer has at least one of through - perforations and pits . these through - perforations and pits are preferably between 0 . 001 μm and 20 μm in size and can be filled with different materials . the data carriers can carry concealed and visible macro - and micro - images created by heavy - ion bombardment of the polymer film , subsequent exposure of the bombarded film to ultraviolet radiation , and etching of the polymer film in a solvent . a device for manufacturing a data carrier of this type includes the following elements configured in series : a heavy ion source ; a heavy ion beam - formation system ; an ion guide ; a three - dimensional amplitude modulation unit ; and a target which is destined to become the data carrier . the three - dimensional amplitude modulation unit is designed to hold a matrix of wafers and is connected to a drive for rotating and translating the wafers . the drive is connected via a control unit to the three - dimensional amplitude modulation unit for positioning the target .