Luminescent Imaging Patents (Class 430/139)
  • Patent number: 6528227
    Abstract: A direct X-ray system for industrial radiography like non-destructive testing applications, and personal monitoring, being particularly less sensitive to pressure phenomena, has been disclosed, said system consisting of a direct X-ray black-and-white negative-working radiographic film material, comprised of a transparent support coated on at least one side thereof with a tabular grain emulsion layer, substantially free from spectrally sensitizing dyes, in which at least 50 percent of total grain projected area of all grains is accounted for by silver bromoiodide tabular grains having an iodide content of less than 5 mole %, based on silver, having an average aspect ratio of at least 2, and having a volume greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Marc Van den Zegel, Marleen De Vester
  • Patent number: 6517986
    Abstract: Radiographic films exhibit improved visual performance because of the presence of certain colorants that provide more positive a* values without diminishing image tone (b*). Thus, the greenish tint the films may exhibit is reduced. These films provide desired sensitometric properties while they have reduced silver, hydrophilic polymer binder, and hardener coverage on both sides of a transparent support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6509126
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photothermographic imaging element comprising at least one silver halide imaging layer containing a fluorophore. The imaging element can be exposed and then processed by heating to form an image in which the intensity of the fluorescence from the element is modulated imagewise to yield a fluorescent image of the light intensities to which the element was exposed. The present invention is also directed to a method of processing photothermographic film that has been imagewise exposed in a camera, which method in order comprises thermally developing the film step without any externally applied developing agent, comprising heating said film to a temperature greater than 80° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Whitesides, John H. Hone
  • Publication number: 20020197569
    Abstract: A black-and-white silver halide photographic film material has been provided, wherein said material has first and second major surfaces, at least one of which is coated with at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, overcoated with a protective antistress layer, wherein said emulsion layer(s) have chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal emulsion grains or crystals rich in silver bromide in an amount covering at least 50% of the total projective grain surface of all grains, wherein said grains further have an average equivalent volume diameter in the range from 0.3 &mgr;m up to 1.5 &mgr;m and an average grain thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m, and an average amount of iodide from 0.05 mole % up to 0.5 mole % based on silver over the whole grain volume, characterized in that said material comprises, in an amount of at least 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Johan Loccufier
  • Publication number: 20020192607
    Abstract: A chemically and spectrally-sensitized emulsion has been described, wherein said emulsion comprising (100) cubic silver halide grains with an average edge length of from 0.2 up to 1.5 &mgr;m, has been spectrally sensitized by addition at least three trimethine dyes: a main spectral sensitizer added in an amount of at least 85 mole % of all spectral sensitizers added, followed by adding a second spectral sensitizer in an amount of not more than 10 mole % and a third spectral sensitizer in an amount of at most 1 mole % wherein at least said main spectral sensitizer has two benzoxazole rings in its chemical structure, at least said third spectral sensitizer has two benzimidazole rings in its chemical structure and wherein the said second spectral sensitizer has a structure more sterically hindered than the structure of the other spectral sensitizers. A light-sensitive silver halide photographic film material coated with such emulsion and a radiographic screen/film combination has been described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Paul Callant
  • Patent number: 6489077
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly has two different (“asymmetric”) fluorescent intensifying screens on either side of two radiographic silver halide films. The two fluorescent intensifying screens differ in speed by at least 0.1 logE. This imaging assembly provides high contrast images and improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment. The two films can be the same or different (for example, providing images of different contrast).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6489076
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly has first and second radiographic silver halide films in association with two fluorescent intensifying screens. Between one set of screen and film is a magenta filter having a density of at least 0.3 to provide improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment. The magenta filter comprises a transparent support having a hydrophilic layer disposed thereon, which layer includes sufficient dyes or pigments that absorb in the range of from about 500 to about 600 nm. These dyes or pigments are dispersed in a hydrophilic binder to provide the desired density. The magenta filter is laminated to one of the screens with its hydrophilic layer in contact with the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6485880
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly has first and second radiographic silver halide films in association with two fluorescent intensifying screens. Between one set of screen and film is a neutral density filter having a density of at least 0.3 to provide with improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment. The neutral density filter comprises a transparent support having a hydrophilic neutral density filter layer disposed thereon, which layer includes sufficient silver metal, colloidal carbon, or exposed and processed silver halide in a hydrophilic binder to provide the desired density. The neutral density filter is laminated to one of the screens with its hydrophilic layer in contact with the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6485881
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly has a first radiographic silver halide film in association with a second radiographic silver halide film wherein the ratio of photographic speed of the two films is greater than 0.15 logE. The combination of two films, with or without one or more fluorescent intensifying screens, provides images with excellent contrast and improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6485879
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly has a first radiographic silver halide film in association with a second radiographic silver halide film wherein the ratio of photographic speed of the two films is greater than 0.15 logE. The combination of two films is used with two fluorescent intensifying screens that also have photographic speeds that differ by at least 0.1 log E. This imaging assembly provides images with excellent contrast and improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6485882
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly has a first radiographic silver halide film that provides high contrast images in association with a second radiographic silver halide film that provides lower contrast images. The combination of two films, with or without one or more fluorescent intensifying screens, provides images with excellent contrast and improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment. The ratio of contrast of images provided by the first and second radiographic silver halide films is at least 1.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6482563
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging assembly has first and second radiographic silver halide films in association with two fluorescent intensifying screens. Disposed between one set of screen and film is a neutral density filter having a density of at least 0.3 to provide improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20020155373
    Abstract: Radiographic films containing cubic grain, high silver chloride emulsions can be used in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens for therapy portal localization imaging. The average silver halide grain size is from about 0.1 to about 0.18 &mgr;m and the silver halide is free of silver halide dopant compounds. These films provide excellent contrast with improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20020127503
    Abstract: A radiographic silver halide film material and a radiographic screen/film combination has been disclosed, said material having in at least one light-sensitive layer thereof an emulsion comprising {111} tabular silver halide grains rich in silver bromide, spectrally sensitive to irradiation in the wavelength range between 540 and 555 nm by the presence of a combination of at least one J-aggregating spectrally sensitizing cyanine dye according to the formula (I) and of at least one additional cyanine dye providing a shift of maximum absorption wavelength of said combination of less than 10 nm versus in the absence thereof, wherein said additional cyanine dye is at least one monomethine cyanine dye according to the formula (II), essentially having a solubilizing group or a latent solubilizing group, said dyes having been given in the description and in the claims of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Paul Callant, Ilse Mans
  • Publication number: 20020119405
    Abstract: A multilayer light-sensitive silver halide photographic negative image type material and a method to prepare said material has been described, said material comprising on at least one side of a support a multilayer composition of at least two layers of negative image type silver halide emulsions adjacent to each other, wherein the emulsion layer closest to the said support comprises tabular emulsion crystals selected from the group consisting of silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide and silver chlorobromoiodide having a {111} crystal habit and silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide and silver chlorobromoiodide having a {100} crystal habit and wherein the adjacent layer(s) farther from the said support comprise(s) essentially cubic emulsion crystals selected from the group consisting of silver chloride, silver chlorobromide and silver bromide, wherein the essentially cubic grains are less sensitive than the tabular grains and wherein the said tabular
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Hieronymus Andriessen, Freddy Henderickx
  • Patent number: 6440649
    Abstract: X-radiation sensitive photothermographic imaging materials contain X-radiation sensitive phosphors in association with photosensitive silver halide. These phosphors provide an increase in imaging sensitivity and improved image contrast. Both intensifying and storage phosphors can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, William E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20020106576
    Abstract: Radiographic films containing cubic grain, high silver chloride emulsions can be used in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens for therapy portal imaging. The average silver halide grain size is from about 0.1 to about 0.18 &mgr;m. These films provide excellent contrast with improved exposure latitude for use in various exposure conditions and equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, William E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20020076640
    Abstract: A direct X-ray system for industrial radiography, like non-destructive testing applications, and personal monitoring, being particularly less sensitive to pressure phenomena, has been disclosed, said system consisting of a direct X-ray black-and-white negative-working radiographic film material, comprised of a transparent support coated on at least one side thereof with a tabular grain emulsion layer, substantially free from spectrally sensitizing dyes, in which at least 50 percent of total grain projected area of all grains is accounted for by silver bromoiodide tabular grains having an iodide content of less than 5 mole %, based on silver, having an average aspect ratio of at least 2, and having a volume greater than 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Marc Van Den Zegel, Marleen De Vester
  • Patent number: 6403276
    Abstract: A film material has been provided with emulsions comprising {111} tabular silver halide grains rich in silver bromide, spectrally sensitive to irradiation in the wavelength range shorter than 420 nm by the presence of at least one blue spectral sensitizer and of at least one azacyanine dye, the formula of which has been given in the description and in the claims. A radiographic screen/film combination or system has also been provided comprising a duplitized film sandwiched between a pair of supporting or self-supporting X-ray intensifying screens, characterized in that i) said pair of supported or self-supporting X-ray intensifying screens essentially consists of luminescent phosphor particles emitting at least 50% and more preferably at least 80% of their emitted radiation in the wavelength range shorter than 420 nm, ii) said film corresponds with the film material disclosed hereinbefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Paul Callant, Ann Verbeeck
  • Publication number: 20020064725
    Abstract: A system has been disclosed for use in radiographic industrial non-destructive testing materials and personal monitoring, making use therefor, of tabular silver brom(oiod)ide emulsion grains having {111} major faces, an average equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.5 &mgr;m and an average thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m, having been chemically sensitized by the steps of adding at least a gold salt in order to provide the surface of said tabular grains with at least 6000 atoms of gold per &mgr;m2 of its grain surface and per (0.1 &mgr;m of thickness)2; and at least a sulfite salt in such an amount that the ratio of the number of gold atoms per &mgr;m2 and (concentration of said sulfite salt, expressed in mmole per mole of silver)2 is at least 200000.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Marc Van Den Zegel, Marleen De Vester
  • Patent number: 6391531
    Abstract: High performance radiographic films exhibit excellent exposure latitude when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens. These films having at least two tabular silver halide emulsions on each side of a film support, and the emulsion closest to the film support on each side includes chemistry to control crossover and a rhodium dopant and has higher photographic speeds than the other emulsions. These films are particularly useful for thoracic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6387586
    Abstract: High performance, very high contrast radiographic films exhibit visually adaptive contrast when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens. These films having at least two tabular silver halide emulsions on each side of a film support, and the emulsion closest to the film support on each side includes chemistry to control crossover and a rhodium dopant and has higher photographic speeds than the other emulsions. In addition, the films can be rapidly processed to provide images having a peak gamma >3.1 while maintaining gammas >1.0 out into the toe of a D vs. logE sensitometric curve to a value of −0.9 logE. These films are particularly useful for thoracic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch
  • Patent number: 6376149
    Abstract: A method of imaging acids in chemically amplified photoresists involves exposing to radiation a chemically amplified photoresist comprising a pH-dependent fluorophore. Upon exposure to radiation, such as deep-UV radiation, the chemically amplified photoresist produces an acid, which is then visualized by the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore. An image is generated from the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore, thus providing a map of the location of the acid in the photoresist. The images are able to be visualized prior to a post-exposure bake of the resist composition. Chemically amplified photoresists comprising pH-dependent fluorophores are useful in the practice of the present invention. The method finds particular use in examining the efficiency of photoacid generators in chemically amplified photoresists, in that it allows the practitioner the ability to directly determine the amount of acid generated within the photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignees: Yale University, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert David Grober, Scott Josef Bukofsky, Paul Michael Dentinger, James Welch Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020042019
    Abstract: A method of imaging acids in chemically amplified photoresists involves exposing to radiation a chemically amplified photoresist comprising a pH-dependent fluorophore. Upon exposure to radiation, such as deep-UV radiation, the chemically amplified photoresist produces an acid, which is then visualized by the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore. An image is generated from the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore, thus providing a map of the location of the acid in the photoresist. The images are able to be visualized prior to a post-exposure bake of the resist composition. Chemically amplified photoresists comprising pH-dependent fluorophores are useful in the practice of the present invention. The method finds particular use in examining the efficiency of photoacid generators in chemically amplified photoresists, in that it allows the practitioner the ability to directly determine the amount of acid generated within the photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Robert David Grober, Scott Josef Bukofsky, Paul Michael Dentinger, James Welch Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020037485
    Abstract: A method has been described of preparing an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion rich in silver bromide, having {111} major faces, wherein tabular grains having a thickness of less than 0.08 &mgr;m exhibit an average aspect ratio of more than 5:1 and account for at least 75%, and more preferably at least 80%, by number of hexagonal grains and a coefficient of variation on average equivalent surface area of less than 0.50, said process comprising: introducing into a temperature-controlled reaction vessel an aqueous dispersing medium and silver, bromide, and, optionally, iodide and/or chloride, and maintaining pBr values within said reaction vessel during grain nucleation and growth that favors the formation and growth of tabular grains, characterized in that at the time said tabular grains are being formed, (a) pH in said reaction vessel is maintained at a value ranging from 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kathy Elst, Ilse Mans
  • Patent number: 6361917
    Abstract: A process for forming a pattern which comprises irradiating with light a film of a poly(arylenevinylene) polymer represented by the following formula (I) —(Ar—CR1=CR2)n—  (I) wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a substituted or unsubstituted divalent heterocyclic ring group, and the aromatic hydrocarbon group and the heterocyclic ring group may be a fused ring, R1, R2 independently of each other, are H, CN, alkyl, alkoxy are substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon groups or substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocycles, which may both be fused rings, and n is an integer of 2 or more. It is preferred that either R1 or R2 is H and more preferred that both R1 and R2 are H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wen-Bing Kang, Nu Yu, Akihiko Tokida
  • Patent number: 6361918
    Abstract: High speed and high contrast radiographic films can be imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens. These films having a tabular silver halide emulsions on each side of a film support. At least one emulsion comprises a rhodium dopant and has higher photographic speeds than the other emulsions despite the fact that the emulsion grains have a small average thickness of from about 0.09 to about 0.11 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Carl R. Preddy
  • Patent number: 6358661
    Abstract: High performance radiographic films exhibit visually adaptive contrast when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising an intensifying screen on both sides. These films having a single silver halide emulsion on each side of a film support and are free of particulate dyes that are conventionally used to control crossover. In addition, the films can be rapidly processed to provide the desired image having visually adaptive contrast, that is the upper scale contrast is at least 1.5 times the lower scale contrast. Thus, dense objects can be better seen at the higher densities of the radiographic image without any adverse sensitometric changes in the lower scale densities. These films are useful for general-purpose radiographic imaging using a wide variety of exposure and processing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Mark P. Pavlik
  • Patent number: 6358662
    Abstract: Localization radiographic films containing rhodium-doped, cubic grain, high silver chloride emulsions can be used in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens for therapy imaging. The average silver halide grain size is from 0.20 to about 0.30 &mgr;m, and they comprise at least 80 mol % chloride based on total silver. These films provide colder image tones and reduced processing non-uniformities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Eric L. Dillenbeck
  • Patent number: 6358663
    Abstract: Disclosed are a phosphor pattern which comprises a calcination product of a phosphor pattern precursor containing (A) an organic material containing at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal; and (B) a phosphor wherein an amount of the alkali metal or the alkaline earth metal is 2% by weight or less based on the amount of (B) the phosphor, a process for preparing the same, an organic alkali developing solution for forming the same, an emulsion developing solution for forming the same and a back plate for plasma display using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kimura, Seiji Tai, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Takeshi Nojiri, Kazuya Satou, Yoshiyuki Horibe, Mariko Shimamura, Toranosuke Ashizawa, Eiji Fujita, Seikichi Tanno
  • Patent number: 6355393
    Abstract: There is disclosed an image-forming method, which comprises: subjecting a color light-sensitive material to exposure, by using, at least, a first, second, and third light-emitting element whose peak wavelength of the light-emission spectrum is in a first wavelength region of 380 to 500 nm, a second wavelength region of 500 to 600 nm, and a third wavelength region of 600 to 740 nm, respectively, and subjecting the exposed color light-sensitive material to development processing, wherein the color light-sensitive material has, at least, spectral sensitivities in the from first to third wavelength regions. There is also disclosed organic light-emitting elements for use as light sources for exposure in the method. According to the method, digital color images exhibiting good color reproduction can be obtained by exposing a light-sensitive material according to image information and carrying out development processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirai, Yasushi Araki
  • Patent number: 6350554
    Abstract: High performance, very high contrast radiographic films exhibit visually adaptive contrast when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising intensifying screens. These films having at least two tabular silver halide emulsions on each side of a film support, and the emulsion closest to the film support on each side includes chemistry to control crossover and a rhodium dopant and has higher photographic speeds than the other emulsions. In addition, the films can be rapidly processed to provide images having visually adaptive contrast wherein the upper scale contrast is at least 1.7 times the lower scale contrast. These films are particularly useful for orthopedic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch
  • Patent number: 6348293
    Abstract: A radiographic film material is described including a transparent film support having first and second major surfaces coated with a subbing layer, optionally overcoated with an antihalation undercoat. Coated adjacent on each side of the film support is a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion overcoated with a protective antistress layer. The emulsion layer has chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal grains or crystals, having silver iodide in an amount of at most 3 mole %, based on silver, covering at least 50% of the total projective surface of all grains, having an average grain thickness of less than 0.30 &mgr;m. The antistress layer, or the optional antihalation undercoat or both includes a N-amino mercapto-triazole compound containing one or more alkali soluble group(s). A radiographic screen/film combination is also described including the film material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Johan Loccufier, Govert De Baecke, Freddy Henderickx, Heinrich Odenwälder
  • Publication number: 20020018954
    Abstract: A single-side coated light-sensitive silver halide photographic film material has been disclosed, having on one side of a subbed support, one or more light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer(s) overcoated with an outermost protective layer; and, at the other side of said support, a backing layer, covered with a protective outermost layer, characterized in that at least said backing layer is provided with a layer wherein, besides a cross-linked or cross-linkable first binder an organic component free from cross-linking upon reaction with a hardener is present as a second binder having a low molecular weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Marc Van den Zegel, Francis Vanhoudt, Frank Ruttens, Guy Damen
  • Patent number: 6346360
    Abstract: A radiographic film material has been provided, comprising a transparent film support having first and second major surfaces coated, apart from a subbing layer and, optionally, a non-light-sensitive hydrophilic layer thereupon, with at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer overcoated with a protective antistress layer, said emulsion layer(s) having chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal core-shell emulsion grains or crystals in an amount of at least 50% of the total projective grain surface of all grains, said grains being composed of a silver bromide core and a silver bromoiodide shell having an average amount over the whole crystal volume of more than 90 mole % of silver bromide, said grains further having a mean equivalent volume diameter of from 0.3 &mgr;m up to 1.0 &mgr;m and an average grain thickness of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Freddy Henderickx
  • Patent number: 6346570
    Abstract: Provided are a water resistant composition comprising a uniform mixture of (A) at least one of modified polyvinyl alcohol containing either from 1 to 20 mol % of &agr;-olefin units with not more than 4 carbon atoms, from 0.01 to 1 mol % of silyl groups, or from 1 to 20 mol % of &agr;-olefin units with not more than 4 carbon atoms and from 0.01 to 1 mol % of silyl groups and (B) an organotitanium compound having a chelating ligand, in a blend ratio of component (A) to the component (B) between 99.99/0.01 and 60/40 by weight; a coating agent comprising the composition; a thermal recording material having a coat layer of the composition; and an ink-jet recording material having an ink-absorbing layer of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Somemiya Kazuyuki, Sadahiko Shiraga, Naoki Fujuwara, Atsushi Jikihara, Toshiyuki Akasawa
  • Patent number: 6342338
    Abstract: A black-and-white silver halide photographic film material, particularly suitable for use in radiography, has been disclosed, said material comprising a transparent film support having first and second major surfaces coated with a subbing layer, further coated adjacent thereto on one side (for a single-side coated material) or on both sides (for a duplitized material) of said film support and overcoated with a protective antistress layer, a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having chemically and spectrally sensitized {111} tabular hexagonal grains, accounting for at least 50% of the total projective surface of all grains, wherein said film material is coated with a low amount of silver and wherein said protective antistress layer(s)and/or another hydrophilic non-light-sensitive layer comprise(s) a compound according to general formula (I) in an amount of at least 0.5 mmole per mole of coated silver halide, as claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ann Verbeeck, Govert Wim De Baecke, Johan August Loccufier, Freddy Henderickx
  • Publication number: 20020001768
    Abstract: A method of imaging acid in a chemically amplified photoresist comprising the steps of: (a) exposing the chemically amplified photoresist to radiation thereby generating an acid, the chemically amplified photoresist comprising at least one species of pH-dependent fluorophore that fluoresces in the presence of the acid, the pH-dependent fluorophore being present at a concentration that enables the fluorescence from individual molecules of the pH-dependent fluorophore to be individually resolved; and (b) generating an image of the acid in the photoresist, the image comprising at least one or a plurality of discrete points corresponding to the fluorescent emission from an individual molecule or molecules of the pH-dependent fluorophore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: Yale University
    Inventors: Gilbert D. Feke, Robert D. Grober
  • Publication number: 20010031418
    Abstract: An radiographic imaging system for making a radiograph by a radiography apparatus using a photographic combination of a silver halide photographic light sensitive material in combination with intensifying screens, the photographic material comprising a support having a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer on each of both sides of the support, wherein the radiography apparatus conducts making a radiograph under the condition that a distance between a focal point of an X-ray tube and the photographic material is 0.9 to 3.0 m, a distance between the focal point of the X-ray tube and an object is 0.5 to 2.7 m and a distance between the object and the photographic combination is 0.3 to 1.5 m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Masaaki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6291132
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of manufacturing a fluorescent 3-D optical memory device implementing an active medium capable of storing information at high information density, and an optical memory device manufactured by this method. The active medium employed in the present invention is a material capable of existing in at least 2 isomeric forms. Transition from one form to another can be induced upon illuminating this material by a “writing” electromagnetic radiation having a first spectrum. At the same time the other isomeric form is capable of fluorescence upon illuminating this material by a “reading” electromagnetic radiation with a second spectrum. By virtue of illuminating with a radiation having the first spectrum there are created elemental cells within a medium material, containing substantially the same isomeric form thereof, which can be either that form which is capable of fluorescence or the other one which is not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Tridstore IP LLC
    Inventors: Boris Alexey Glushko, Eugene Boris Levich
  • Publication number: 20010019807
    Abstract: A single crystal or polycrystalline silicon substrate (100) is formed as a semiconductor substrate. Using a resist (103), an SiO2 film (101) is formed as a first coating on at least part of the outer periphery of the substrate (100). While using this SiO2 film (101) as a mask, the substrate (100) is etched from the first surface side using KOH or the like. The thickness of the substrate is thus decreased to thereby form an opening forming region M, whereas a region of the substrate covered with the first coating is not etched to thereby form a thick portion 140. Then, on a second surface of the substrate (100), a second coating is formed by applying a resist (104) at a region of the substrate other than where opening are to be formed in the region M. The substrate is then etched using the second coating as a mask to form holes, as openings (110), at regions not covered by the second coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yamada, Yoshihiro Morimoto, Kiyoshi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 6265140
    Abstract: This invention concerns a luminescent optical memory material and method of forming this material, including the encoding of information by a photographic process. The method involves the use of silver halide crystals of a defined size range, with the optional use of sensitizers, emulsion stabilizers, and other agents followed by the absorption of luminescent dyes on the developed silver particle to form a luminescent optical memory system. The method involves synthesis of a photographic emulsion with silver halide crystals of a defined size range, applying photographic emulsion to a substrate, exposing to light photochemical treatment and a process of transformation of the silver particles formed in the places exposed by light into luminescent particles. The method involves obtaining a multi-layer luminescent material for a three-dimensional optical memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: TriDStore IP, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene B. Levich, Jacob N. Malkin, Mark A. Alperovich, Boris M. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6262424
    Abstract: A method for preparing a radiographic intensifying screen or a radiation image conversion panel is disclosed, comprising a support having thereon a phosphor layer, the method comprising the steps of (i) mixing a phosphor and a resin exhibiting a glass transition temperature of Tg1 to form a phosphor layer, (ii) subjecting the phosphor layer to compression, and (iii) making a glass transition temperature of the phosphor layer Tg2, wherein the Tg1 and the Tg2 meet the following requirement: Tg1<Tg2. Tg1 is within the range of −50° C. to 25° C., and Tg2 is 30° C. to 130° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Yanagita, Kouji Amitani
  • Publication number: 20010001698
    Abstract: A method of imaging acids in chemically amplified photoresists involves exposing to radiation a chemically amplified photoresist comprising a pH-dependent fluorophore. Upon exposure to radiation, such as deep-UV radiation, the chemically amplified photoresist produces an acid, which is then visualized by the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore. An image is generated from the fluorescence of the pH-dependent fluorophore, thus providing a map of the location of the acid in the photoresist. The images are able to be visualized prior to a post-exposure bake of the resist composition. Chemically amplified photoresists comprising pH-dependent fluorophores are useful in the practice of the present invention. The method finds particular use in examining the efficiency of photoacid generators in chemically amplified photoresists, in that it allows the practitioner the ability to directly determine the amount of acid generated within the photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: Robert David Grober
    Inventors: ROBERT D. GROBER, SCOTT J. BUKOFSKY, PAUL M. DENTINGER, JAMES W. TAYLOR
  • Patent number: 6225018
    Abstract: A silver halide light sensitive color photographic material is disclosed, comprising a support and at least a light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer which comprises a silver halide emulsion and a coupler, the photographic material further comprising a luminance component information recording layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Haraga
  • Patent number: 6214500
    Abstract: A composition including a matrix comprised of particles comprised of a core resin and a shell resin thereover, wherein the core resin contains a covalently bonded photosensitive compound, and wherein the shell resin is the continuous phase of the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Eugenia Kumacheva, Jaan Noolandi, Olga Kalinina
  • Patent number: 6200723
    Abstract: High performance radiographic films exhibit visually adaptive contrast when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising an intensifying screen on both sides. These films have at least two silver halide emulsions (preferably tabular grains) on each side of a film support, and the emulsion closest to the film support on each side includes chemistry to control crossover. In addition, the films can be rapidly processed to provide the desired image whereby the upper scale contrast is at least 1.2 times the lower scale contrast. Thus, dense objects can be better seen at the higher densities of the radiographic image without any adverse sensitometric changes in the lower scale densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch
  • Patent number: 6190821
    Abstract: A photosensitive silver halide film material is disclosed comprising a support and on one or both sides thereof one or more layer(s) comprising a photosensitive silver halide emulsion wherein tabular silver halide crystals having an average thickness of less than 0.25 &mgr;m and an average aspect ratio of 2 or more are present characterized in that said photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer(s) comprise(s) blue colored polymeric matting particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventor: Hubert Vandenabeele
  • Patent number: 6190822
    Abstract: High performance, high contrast radiographic films exhibit visually adaptive contrast when imaged in radiographic imaging assemblies comprising an intensifying screen on both sides. These films having at least two silver halide emulsions on each side of a film support, and the emulsion closest to the film support on each side includes chemistry to control crossover and has higher photographic speeds than the other emulsions. In addition, the films can be rapidly processed to provide the desired image having visually adaptive contrast, i.e. the upper scale contrast is at least 1.7 times the lower scale contrast. Thus, dense objects can be better seen at the higher densities of the radiographic image without any adverse sensitometric changes in the lower scale densities. These films are useful for general purpose, high contrast radiographic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Dickerson, Phillip C. Bunch
  • Patent number: 6168897
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a pattern on a substrate, comprising a step of forming a light-sensitive layer containing an aromatic compound on a substrate, a step of patternwise exposing the light-sensitive layer with a light having a wavelength range shorter than the maximum wavelength in the third absorption band from the long-wave side in the absorption spectrum of the aromatic compound and longer than the maximum wavelength in the fourth absorption band from the same, thereby to cause a photochemical reaction in the light-sensitive layer, and a step of developing the exposed light-sensitive layer, optionally after heat-treating the layer, so as to selectively remove the exposed area of the layer or leave the area as it is. The method gives a pattern having a high resolving power and an excellent dry-etching resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toru Ushirogouchi, Makoto Nakase, Takuya Naito, Koji Asakawa