Abstract: A planarizing element is described for use in a thermal imaging process. The planarizing element includes a support; a planarizing layer comprising a crosslinkable binder having a weight average molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 110,000.

Abstract: A donor element is described for use in a thermal imaging process. The donor element includes a support; a heating layer, and a colorant containing thermally imageable layer comprising a crosslinkable binder having a number average molecular weight of about 1,500 to about 70,000. A process for making a color filter using a thermal imaging process, and a liquid crystal display using this color filter are also described.

Abstract: A donor element is described for use in a thermal imaging process. The donor element includes a support: a heating layer; a colorant containing transfer layer; and an overcoat layer comprising a wax having a melting point ranging from about 30° C. to about 350° C. Typically the wax is a natural vegetable wax, a mineral wax or a synthetic wax.

Abstract: Novel photopolymer compositions are disclosed which contain dyes that absorb strongly in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These dyes are useful as photosensitizers for initiating a variety of photoimaging and photopolymerization reactions. Imaging Media are disclosed herein which are sensitive in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum and which can initiate polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer components in negative-acting photopolymer systems and/or which can initiate conversion of a leuco dye to its corresponding colored dye form. These imaging media comprise either a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, a chain transfer agent, and a photopolymerizable material or a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, and a leuco dye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image transfer element for thermally induced image transfer, a laser assemblage and a process for producing a thermal image. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image transfer element comprising a colorant layer that contains a metal salt, a laser assemblage containing the image transfer element and process for producing a thermal image utilizing the image transfer element.

Abstract: A thermally imageable layer comprising an aqueous dispersion containing an immiscible compound, typically a near infrared absorber, and a dispersant, typically an acrylic polymer, which layer is useful in laser induced colorant transfer processes.

Abstract: Novel photopolymer compositions are disclosed which contain dyes that absorb strongly in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These dyes are useful as photosensitizers for initiating a variety of photoimaging and photopolymerization reactions. Imaging Media are disclosed herein which are sensitive in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum and which can initiate polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer components in negative-acting photopolymer systems and/or which can initiate conversion of a leuco dye to its corresponding colored dye form. These imaging media comprise either a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, a chain transfer agent, and a photopolymerizable material or a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, and a leuco dye.

Abstract: A thermally imageable layer comprising an aqueous dispersion containing an immiscible compound, typically a near infrared absorber, and a dispersant, typically an acrylic polymer, which layer is useful in laser induced colorant transfer processes.

Abstract: A donor element is described for use in a thermal imaging process. The donor element includes a support: a heating layer; a colorant containing transfer layer; and in overcoat layer comprising a wax having a melting point ranging from about 30° C. to about 350° C. Typically the wax is a natural vegetable wax, a mineral wax or a synthetic wax.

Abstract: Improved processes and products for laser thermal imaging are described. These improved processes and products utlilize an image rigidification element and significantly reduce halftone dot movement, swath boundary cracking and banding.

Abstract: Improved processes and products for laser thermal imaging are described. These improved processes and products utlilize an image rigidification element and significantly reduce halftone dot movement, swath boundary cracking and banding.

Abstract: Novel photopolymer compositions are disclosed which contain dyes that absorb strongly in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These dyes are useful as photosensitizers for initiating a variety of photoimaging and photopolymerization reactions. Imaging Media are disclosed herein which are sensitive in the near infrared (near IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum and which can initiate polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer components in negative-acting photopolymer systems and/or which can initiate conversion of a leuco dye to its corresponding colored dye form. These imaging media comprise either a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, a chain transfer agent, and a photopolymerizable material or a near IR dye photochemical sensitizer, a hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) photoinitiator, and a leuco dye.

Abstract: Improved processes and products for laser thermal imaging are described. These improved processes and products utlilize an image rigidification element and significantly reduce halftone dot movement, swath boundary cracking and banding.

Abstract: Improved processes and products for laser thermal imaging are described. These improved processes and products utilize an image rigidification element and significantly reduce halftone dot movement, swath boundary cracking and banding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel near-infrared absorbing dye of formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1, X.sup.2 independently represents --CR.sup.8 R.sup.9 --, --S--, --Se--, --NR.sup.10 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --O--;n is an integer of 2 or 3;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons or substituted alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons;R.sup.3 represents a ring chosen from a set consisting of aryl, substituted aryl, and a heterocyclic ring of a type present in photographic emulsions;R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl of 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl of 1-10 carbons, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 taken together or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken together can represent atoms necessary to form a 5 or 6-membered aliphatic ring, an aromatic six-membered ring, an aromatic 10-membered ring, a substituted aromatic six-member ring or a substituted aromatic 10-member ring;R.sup.8, R.sup.

Abstract: An element and process of use in a laser-induced ablative transfer process, said element comprising (a) a support having a first surface, said first surface having a surface roughness with an R.sub.z value of r, and bearing on the first surface (b) at least one transfer coating comprising (i) a non-sublimable imageable component (ii) a laser-radiation absorbing component, and (iii) optionally a binder, wherein the imageable component and the laser-radiation absorbing component can be the same or different; wherein the transfer coating and any additional coating on the first surface of the support have a total thickness t; and further where r.gtoreq.1.5t is described.

Abstract: An element for use in a laser induced ablative transfer process, said element comprising a support bearing on a first surface thereof at least one coating comprising (i) a non-sublimable imageable component, (ii) a laser radiation absorbing component, (iii) a particular filler having an average particle size (S), and (iv) optionally a binder, wherein the non-sublimable imageable component and the laser radiation absorbing component can be the same or different; wherein the total thickness of all coatings present on the first surface is T and further wherein S.gtoreq.2T is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel near-infrared absorbing dye of formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1, X.sup.2 independently represents --CR.sup.8 R.sup.9 --, --S--, --Se--, --NR.sup.10 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --O--;n is an integer of 2 or 3;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons or substituted alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons;R.sup.3 represents a ring chosen from the set consisting of aryl, substituted aryl, and heterocyclic containing 5 or 6 carbons in the ring;R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl of 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl of 1-10 carbons, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 taken together or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken together may represent the atoms necessary to form a 5 or 6-membered aliphatic ring, an aromatic six-membered ring, an aromatic 10-membered ring, a substituted aromatic six-member ring or a substituted aromatic 10-member ring;R.sup.8, R.sup.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable compositions in which the photoinitiator system contains a hexaarylbisimidazole and/or a p-dialkyaminophenyl carbonyl compound in combination with a borate anion coinitiator are disclosed.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable compositions which comprise a borate anion, a squarylium sensitizer, and, in the preferred case, a halomethyl triazine are disclosed.