Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate structure comprising a protective layer and an exposed photopolymer layer, the laminate structure being obtainable by reacting at least one radiation-curing resin I), an isocyanate-functional resin II) and a photoinitiator system III), and the radiation-curing resin I) containing ?5% by weight of compounds having a weight-average molecular weight of <500 and ?75% by weight of compounds having a weight-average molecular weight of >1000, the isocyanate-functional resin II) containing ?5% by weight of compounds having a weight-average molecular weight of <500, and the protective layer containing the radiation-curing resin I) at least to an extent of 80% by weight and the isocyanate-functional resin II) at most to an extent of 15% by weight. The invention further provides a process for producing the inventive laminate structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds, of formula (I) in which X is CH3 or hydrogen, Z is a linear or branched C2 to C4 alkyl radical, R is a linear or branched, optionally heteroatom-substituted aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic radical, Y in each occurrence is independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, methylthio, phenyl or phenylthio, n is from 0 to 4 and m is from 0 to 5. The invention further relates to the use of such a compound as writing monomer in a photopolymer formulation. In addition, a photopolymer formulation comprising as least a polyisocyanate component, a polyol component, a photoinitiator and a compound of formula (I) as writing monomer, and also the use of the photopolymer formulation for producing holographic media, are likewise subjects of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photopolymer formulation comprising matrix polymers, writing monomers, and photoinitiators, wherein the writing monomers comprise compounds of formula (I), where at least one of the radicals R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 is a radical bonded to the aromatic ring via X of formula (II), where, in formula (II), A is a linear or branched hydrocarbon, optionally comprising oxygen or nitrogen, the remaining radicals R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 are, independent of each other, hydrogen or an organic radical, and R7 is hydrogen or methyl. The invention further relates to the use of the photopolymer formulation for producing holographic media.

Abstract: A composition for producing optical elements has a gradient structure, particularly for holographic applications, wherein the gradient structure is formed by a refractivity gradient. The composition is produced from a polymer and a light- and/or temperature-sensitive metal complex and the light- and/or temperature-sensitive metal complex is decomposed upon changing the local refractivity. The result is the formation of a refractivity gradient.

Abstract: A resin composition for forming an optical waveguide brings together excellent bending resistance, a low refractive index, and low tackiness suitable for a roll-to-roll (R-to-R) process as a material for forming an optical waveguide, in particular, a material for forming a clad layer. The resin composition for forming an optical waveguide to be used in formation of an optical waveguide includes a polyvinyl acetal compound having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1) as a main component: in the formula (1), R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and k, m, and n represent ratios of respective repeating units in a main chain and each represent an integer of 1 or more.

Abstract: Allowing the rate of phase change to be controlled at the time period of phonons (approx. 270 fs) for the purpose of achieving a substantially higher recording-erasing speed compared to what can be achieved with conventional technologies relating to optical recording media using phase change. A femtosecond pulse laser is shaped into pulse trains each having a first pulse and a second pulse using a Michelson interferometer, and the time interval of first and second pulses is matched with the time period of lattice vibration of a material constituting the phase change recording film to be irradiated, thereby inducing phase change.

Abstract: A resist composition containing a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under the action of acid, and an acid generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, wherein the acid generator component (B) includes an acid generator (B1) having a group represented by general formula (b1-1) shown below in the cation moiety.

Abstract: A method for the production of a holographic sensor which comprises a support medium supporting a reflection hologram wherein the support medium interacts with its physical or chemical environment to create an optical response which is a change in one or more optical properties of the hologram, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing a colloidal dispersion of a recording material into the support medium; and b) ablating the colloidal particles of the recording material using a pulsed laser to form the holographic element in the support medium. The method of production can be used to introduce a reflection holographic grating into a hydrophobic support medium, in particular, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which possesses an extraordinary ability to swell in the presence of both liquid and/or gaseous low molecular weight hydrocarbons and organic solvents and thus has many applications as a holographic sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photopolymer formulation comprising matrix polymers, writing monomers, and photoinitiators, to the use of the photopolymer formulation for producing optical elements, in particular for producing holographic elements and images, to a method for illuminating holographic media made of the photopolymer formulation, and to special fluorourethanes.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel sensor, a color filter array comprising a plurality of color filters formed on the pixel sensor, wherein two adjacent color filters have a gap therebetween, and a gapless microlens array comprising a plurality of microlenses formed on the color filter array. The invention also provides a method for fabricating the image sensor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a surface relief microstructure, especially an optically variable image on a paper substrate are provided, the method comprising the steps of: A) applying a curable composition to at least a portion of the frontside of the paper substrate; B) contacting at least a portion of the curable composition with surface relief microstructure, especially optically variable image forming means; C) curing the composition by using at least one UV lamp (1, 2, 3) which is arranged on the backside of the paper substrate; D) optionally depositing a layer of a transparent high refractive index material and/or a metallic layer on at least a portion of the cured composition, wherein the lamp (1, 2, 3) having emission peak(s) in the UV-A and near VIS range and the curable composition comprises at least a photoinitiator which absorbs in the UV-A region and preferably in the near VIS range.

Abstract: An optical thin film can have a refractive index variation along a dimension that is perpendicular to its thickness. Two areas that have equal physical thicknesses can have different optical thicknesses. Including the thin film as a layer in a thin film optical filter can provide a corresponding variation in the filter's spectral properties. Dosing an optical thin film with ultraviolet light can cause the refractive index variation. Subjecting the film to hydrogen can increase the refractive index's response to the dose of light. Dosing a region of a thin film optical filter with ultraviolet light can change the spectral properties of the region, for example shifting an out-of-specification optical filter into specification thereby increasing manufacturing yield. An agent can promote the film's response to the dose.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium 10 comprises a plurality of recording layers 14, and intermediate layers 15 each provided between the recording layers 14. Each of the recording layers 14 includes polymer binder and dye dispersed in the polymer binder, and the dye is subject to multi-photon absorption of a recording beam RB having a predetermined wavelength and to linear absorption not smaller than 1.5% per recording layer at the predetermined wavelength of the recording beam. When the dye is irradiated with the recording beam and generates heat by linear absorption and multi-photon absorption of the recoding beam RB, the polymer binder undergoes a change of shape by the generated heat, whereby an interface between the recording layer 14 and the intermediate layer undergoes a change of shape to record information.

Abstract: A black curable composition for a wafer level lens includes (A) a metal-containing inorganic pigment, (B) a polymerization initiator, and (C) a polymerizable compound. The (A) metal-containing inorganic pigment is preferably titanium black.

Abstract: Multi-layer articles are described that are capable of forming color images. The articles may contain at least two layers, a thermally activatable layer and a blocking layer, or at least three layers with two thermally activatable layers and a blocking layer between. The thermally activatable layers absorb light of a write wavelength and have an absorption threshold for activation. The blocking layer blocks light of the write wavelength at certain incident angles or polarization states and permits light of the write wavelength and certain incident angles or polarization states to pass through. The thermally activatable layers may be layers with a light to heat convertor composition and a color changing compound or they may be a group of layers arranged to change its reflective characteristic upon exposure to light while maintaining the structural integrity of the group of layers.

Abstract: Multi-layer articles are described that are capable of forming color images. The articles include at least six layers, four thermally activatable layers (layers 1-4) and two blocking layers (layer 5 and 6). The layers are arranged such that layer 5 is disposed between layers 1 and 2 and layer 6 is disposed between layers 3 and 4. Thermally activatable layers 1 and 2 are activatable upon exposure to light of a first write wavelength, and blocking layer 5 is adapted to at least partially block light of the first write wavelength. Thermally activatable layers 3 and 4 are activatable upon exposure to light of a second write wavelength, and blocking layer 6 is adapted to at least partially block light of the second write wavelength. At least one, and possibly all of the thermally activatable layers include a light to heat convertor composition and a color changing compound.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for implementing an enhanced optical mirror coupling and alignment mechanism utilizing two-photon resist. An initial placement is provided for one or more vias on a printed circuit board. A via is filled with a resist. A series of tightly focused light beams suitably exposes the resist at varying depths in the via, the varying depths defining a sloped polymer in the via after removing resist that had not been at the focus of the light beam. The sloped polymer is coated with reflective material to reflect light into or out of the via.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a volume hologram medium obtained by multiple recording of holograms, which is improved in terms of just only security for forgery prevention but also aesthetics. A volume hologram medium 29? comprises a reflection hologram in which a stereoscopic image of a three-dimensional object and an image of a plane pattern of a mask plate are recorded by interference of the same reference light beams having the same angle of incidence and the same wavelength with object light beams having mutually different angles of incidence. The stereoscopic image of the three-dimensional object is reconstructed in the form of diffracted light 31 in a singlecolor and in angle relations close to recording conditions, and the image of a plane pattern of the mask plate is reconstructed as diffracted light 32b, 32?b at various angles of incidence of white illumination light 30 and in different colors depending on those angles of incidence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure by a) coating a substrate with a first coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients, d) locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, e) polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate to a first coating. This process is improved by applying a second coating composition on top of the first coating composition, said second coating composition comprising either an organic compound (Co) of a monomeric nature and wherein Co is also polymerized during the process, or wherein said second coating comprises a dissolved polymer (Cp). As a result a polymeric relief structure is obtained, where a substrate is coated with a functional, stacked, bi-layer, in which each layer exhibits a specific, and from each other differing function.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for producing illuminated, holographic media comprising a photopolymer formulation having the adjustable mechanical modulus GUV. A further subject matter of the invention is an illuminated, holographic medium that can be obtained by means of the method according to the invention.