Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.

Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent substrate element for electronic displays that includes a transparent base layer, a plurality of independently addressable transparent electrodes disposed on the base layer, and a contiguous metallic coating associated with each transparent conductive electrode to increase the conductivity of the associated transparent conductive electrode, wherein the contiguous metallic coating comprises a periodic array of holes arranged to allow a significant amount of visible light to be transmitted through the substrate element.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal transfer elements and processes for patterning solvent-coated layers and solvent-susceptible layers onto the same receptor substrate. These donor elements and methods are particularly suited for making organic electroluminescent devices and displays. The donor elements can include a substrate, an optional light-to-heat conversion layer, and a single or multicomponent transfer layer that can be imagewise transferred to a receptor to form an organic electroluminescent device, portions thereof, or components therefor. The methods offer advantages over conventional patterning techniques such as photolithography, and make it possible to fabricate new organic electroluminescent device constructions.

Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.

Abstract: Substrate elements for making liquid crystal display devices are disclosed as well as display devices using such elements. A substrate element includes a base sheet having the desired optical properties and providing the structural stability for the substrate element. The substrate element further includes a microstructured barrier layer that protects the base sheet from adverse chemical reactions with the liquid crystal or alignment layer solvents. The microstructured barrier layer comprises a plurality of microstructured spacing members that provide precise, uniform spacing between the first substrate element and a second substrate element. A pair of substrate elements, at least one of which having a microstructured barrier layer, can thereby be mated to form a display device. The substrate elements of the present invention allow large area, high resolution displays to be fabricated which will provide uniform display properties throughout the display area.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a film bounded by a frame, the film having a first thermal expansion coefficient along a first direction parallel to the film and a second thermal expansion coefficient along a second direction parallel to the film, wherein thermal expansion of the film compared to that of the frame is greater along the first direction than along the second direction, and wherein the film has a shape at an ambient reference temperature different from that of the frame, the shape of the film being selected to reduce clearance while allowing sufficient room between the film and the frame for thermal expansion in the first direction for temperatures up to a predetermined elevated reference temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides reflective films and other optical bodies which exhibit sharp bandedges on one or both sides of the main reflection bands. The optical bodies comprise multilayer stacks M.sub.1 and M.sub.2, each having first order reflections in a desired part of the spectrum and comprising optical repeating units R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, respectively. At least one of the optical repeating units R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 varies monotonically in optical thickness along the thickness of the associated multilayer stack.

Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.

Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: An optical film comprising a plurality of layers wherein the refractive index difference between the layers along at least one in-plane axis is greater than the refractive index difference between the layers along an out-of-plane axis. The film has an average reflectivity of at least 60% for a predetermined bandwidth of light incident at 60.degree. from normal to the plane of the film, said light being polarized in a plane defined by the at least one in-plane axis and the out-of-plane axis.

Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: A method of selectively patterning a structured substrate without using a mask is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a surface having a plurality of protrusions, coating the surface with a filler material thick enough so that the protrusions are covered, and planarizing the filler coating. The filler material is thereafter partially removed in a uniform fashion to expose only those portions of the protrusions to be modified. After modifying the protrusions by, for example, deposition or etching, the remaining filler material may be removed, resulting in a structured substrate selectively modified or patterned at its protrusions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof. The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article. The expandable mold may be used to make seamless articles having microstructured features, such as an illumination device comprising a fiber core having a plurality of microstructured light extraction structures on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a matrix on a substrate, said matrix being particularly useful in the formation of color filter elements, the process comprising the steps of:a) providing an imageable article comprising a substrate having on at least one surface thereof a black layer,b) directing energy of sufficient intensity at said black layer to transparentize black layer,c) said directing of energy being done so that black layer is removed in some areas, but is not removed in other areas so that borders of black layer surround areas from which black layer has been removed.A preferred method deposits colorant material within the open areas of the matrix by thermal transfer, e.g., laser induced thermal transfer, of colorant material to form a filter element.

Abstract: A composition which includes the following compounds: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, which may be the same or different, is a hydrophilic group;R.sup.2, which may the same or different, is selected from the group consisting of electron donating groups, electron withdrawing groups, and electron neutral groups;R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted, positively charged heteroaromatic ring linked to the triazine backbone through a nitrogen atom in the R.sup.3 ring; andX.sup.- is a counterion.If R.sup.3 is an unsubstituted pyridine, the counterion X.sup.- may be selected from any counterion other than Cl.sup.- and OH.sup.-. Otherwise, the counterion X.sup.- may be selected from any counterion.The compound may be applied to a substrate to form a birefingent optical retardationdevice. The retardationdevice may be used in display devices such as computers and the like to correct the phase and polarization states of the display's emitted light and improve image quality at viewing angles away from the normal.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the conductivity of transparent conductive electrodes on display substrates by providing patterned auxiliary metallic layers adjacent to the transparent conductive material. The method of the present invention eliminates the need for aligning the auxiliary metal layers with preexisting transparent conductive electrodes by providing for simultaneous patterning of the auxiliary metal layers and formation of the independently addressable electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the formation of a black image on a substrate comprising the steps of:a) providing a donor element comprising a carrier substrate, a black, pigmented photohardenable layer, and photopolymerizable adhesive layer in which the unexposed photopolymerizable adhesive layer has a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of less than 100,000 cps,b) adhering said photopolymer adhesive layer to a first substrate,c) irradiating said photopolymer adhesive in an imagewise distribution of radiation to polymerize said adhesive in an imagewise distribution, andd) stripping said element from said first substrate leaving an imagewise distribution of said black pigmented layer secured to said substrate.

Abstract: A process is described for forming an emissive or phosphor screen. The process comprises the steps of:a) providing a thermal mass donor element comprising a substrate with a front side and a back side, with a coating of emissive material or phosphor adhered to said front side of said substrate,b) placing said coating of emissive material or phosphor adjacent to a support layer,c) addressing said mass donor element with coherent radiation to heat at least a portion of said coating of emissive material or phosphor to locally transfer at least some of said emissive material or phosphor to said support layer,d) repeating step c) a sufficient number of times to provide a coating of transferred emissive material or phosphor on said support layer in an area of at least 1 square centimeter.