Abstract: An information recording medium comprising a substrate, and a recording layer formed thereon which comprises (a) a carbon-based material and (b) an optically reversible material whose optical characteristics can be reversibly changed, with the thermal decomposition temperature of the carbon-based material being higher than the melting point of the optically reversible material.

Abstract: A device for reversible optical data storage, comprising polymer film, the film comprising an amorphous polymer capable of photochromic isomerization, whereby data is reversibly stored in said polymer film and may be read by illuminating the isomerized polymer film with a light source.

Abstract: An optical recording medium such as an optical disk, which is capable of reversibly repeating a recording/erasing cycle. This optical recording medium comprises a transparent substrate and recording layer formed on the substrate. This recording layer comprise a liquid crystalline high polymer having side chains and a dyestuff having a recording-light absorbing property. The side chain may preferably comprises mesogen group, a monocyclic or polycyclic compound such as phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl or anthryl group, and alkyl or aryl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An optical recording element comprising a thin film optical recording layer of an alloy is disclosed. The alloy is represented by the formula Sb.sub.x Te.sub.1-x, wherein x is between about 0.58 and 0.75. The alloys have short erasure times (amorphous to crystalline transition) and excellent environmental stability.

Abstract: Provided is an optical information medium which permits the reading and writing of optical information by actively using polarized light. The optical information medium comprises an information layer containing a compound which undergoes a change upon irradiation with circularly polarized light to provide a new product which is optically active, and which is distinguishable from the original compound in its interaction with polarized light. In a preferred embodiment, the optical medium comprises optical isomers which can be selectively photolyzed by circularly polarized light. While writing must be done using a circularly polarized light source, reading of the recorded information can be accomplished using either circularly polarized light or linearly polarized light.

Abstract: An optical storage medium is disclosed. In general, the storage medium includes a substrate, with a first, expansion layer, a second, reflective layer bonded to the first layer, and a third, retention layer bonded to the second layer, opposite the first layer. An opto-electronic system for recording data is also disclosed, along with a method of manufacture of the storage medium.

Abstract: Optical recording media disclosed herein are excellent in recording sensitivity as well as in the adhesion of the substrate to the recording layer, said substrate consisting of a random copolymer of ethylene and a cycloolefin and having a specific structure.

Abstract: A marking comprises a layer, preferably of film-forming material, which contains a photochromic compound. The photochromic compound is capable of changing color when exposed to uv light, but can be converted to a permanently non-photochromic compound, preferably by overexposure to uv light. An image is formed in the layer by converting the photochromic compound to a permanently non-photochromic compound in one or more selected areas. When the layer is subsequently viewed under uv light a colorless image of non-photochromic compound can be seen on a background of colored photochromic compound.

Abstract: An information storage medium comprises a substrate and a recording layer formed on the substrate containing Te, Ge, C and H. The recording layer is formed by sputtering, with a Ge-Te alloy being used as a target and with a mixed gas of a noble gas and a hydrocarbon being used as a sputtering gas. The hydrocarbon content in the sputtering gas falls within a range of 3 to 35%. The composition of the target is Ge.sub.x Te.sub.100-x (where x is expressed by atomic %, and 5.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.20).

Abstract: A photorecording element is disclosed which consists of a transparent substrate, a molecular layer of an organic compound with an ability to change structure reversibly by virtue of light and disposed in direct contact with the transparent substrate, and a layer of liquid crystals disposed in direct contact with the molecular layer. A liquid crystal cell comprising the photorecording element is also disclosed. A modification having fine deformations on the surface of the transparent substrate and a modification having a dichroic dye contained in the layer of liquid crystals are embraced by the present invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical recording member including a thin film photosensitive layer provided on a base. The thin film photosensitive layer may vary between a low optical density state and a high optical density state when optical energy is applied thereto. This thin film photosensitive layer contains a first element which may be a metal or semimetal, a second element which is at least one selected from Te, Ge, Sn, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Mo, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Ta, W, Pt, Au, Tl, Pb, Si, Sb, Bi, and an oxygen element. Part of the oyxgen element is bonded with the first element to form its oxide. The ratio x of the total number of atoms of the oxygen element to that of the first element, when the maximum valence of the first element in a stable oxide state is n, is according to the relation of 0<x>n/2. At least part of the second element exists in a non-oxide state. This thin film photosensitive layer is formed by a vacuum deposition or sputtering method.

Abstract: A rewritable or repeatedly employable recording medium having a base and a recording layer film provided on said base, characterized in that said recording layer film is formed by a thermotropic cholesteric liquid crystal polyester.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical recording member including a thin film photosensitive layer provided on a base. The thin film photosensitive layer may vary between a low optical density state and a high optical density state when optical energy is applied thereto. This thin film photosensitive layer contains a first element which may be a metal or semimetal, a second element which is at least one selected from Te, Ge, Sn, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Mo, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Ta, W, Pt, Au, Tl, Pb, Si, Sb, Bi, and an oxygen element. Part of the oxygen element is bonded with the first element to form its oxide. The ratio x of the total number of atoms of the oxygen element to that of the first element, when the maximum valence of the first element in a stable oxide state is n, is according to the relation of 0<x<n/2. At least part of the second element exists in a non-oxide state. This thin film photosensitive layer is formed by a vacuum deposition or sputtering method.

Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium has an integral recording layer including an expansion zone and a retention zone having different optical and thermal-mechanical properties. A uniform integral layer of dyed polymer material has the dye leached out of the surface region and a second dye diffused into the surface region to create a retention zone. The retention zone has a higher elastic modulus and glass transition temperature than the underlying expansion zone and is adapted to absorb and transmit light which is centered about a different wavelength than the expansion zone. The medium is adapted to be used with a non-ablative and non-vesicular method to create and erase optically detectable deformations in the retention zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to high energy beam-sensitive glass articles exhibiting insensitivity and/or inertness to artinic radiation, i.e., glass articles which are darkened and/or colored within a thin surface layer of, e.g., about 0.1-3 .mu.m upon exposure to high energy beams, electron beams, and ion beams in particular, without a subsequent development step, and which need no fixing to stabilize the colored image, since both the recorded image and the glass article are sensitive to radiation in the spectral range of UV, and longer, wavelengths. More particularly, the instant invention is concerned with Ag+ ion-exchanged glass articles having base glass within alkali metal silicate composition fields containing at least one of the oxides of transition metals which have one to four d-electrons in an atomic state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reversible optical information storage, which comprises polymeric liquid crystals as a storage medium. The device contains a film comprised of a liquid crystal main chain polymer, as a storage medium, and is constructed so that in the storage operation the storage medium is locally reoriented, and the information is stored by means of a local variation of the molecular ordering.

Abstract: A photochromic material comprising a thin film of montmorillonite intercalation compound which has as a guest organic metal complex ions exhibiting a property of accepting electrons in a photo-excited state,a photochromic device comprising; (i) a transparent electrode layer 1, (ii) a transparent layer 2 of polycrystalline n-type semiconductor, (iii) the above-mentioned thin film 3 of montmorillonite intercalation compound, (iv) an electrolytic layer 6 containing an electron-donative reducing agent and (v) an opposed transparent electrode layer 4, anda method for recording and erasing information, comprising the steps of forming the above-mentioned thin film 3 of montmorillonite intercalation compound over the transparent layer 2 of polycrystalline n-type semiconductor, irradiating with light the thin film 3 in contact with the electrolyte 6 containing an electron-donative reducing agent to develop color on the irradiated site of the film and applying a bias voltage to the film being exposed to light to remove

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing process is disclosed that comprises the steps of: imagewise exposing a photosensitive means with light of a wavelength at which photochromism occurs, to thereby record the image therein, wherein said photosensitive means has a photosensitive layer formed on a conductive support, said photosensitive layer containing a photochromically sensitive compound that shows photoconductivity when irradiated with light of different wavelengths before and after said photochromism occurs; charging the entire surface of said photosensitive layer; and uniformly exposing said photosensitive means with light of a wavelength at which photochromism does not occur, but at which said photochromically sensitive compound or photoisomeric compound therewith shows photoconductivity, to thereby form the image of a charge pattern on the surface of said photosensitive layer.

Abstract: Optical recording and record elements are provided. The elements comprise a write-once amorphous thin-film optical recording layer of an alloy having a composition within a polygon in a ternary composition diagram of antimony, aluminum, and tin; wherein(a) the composition diagram is according to FIG.

Abstract: A recording medium having a base and a recording layer provided on said base, said recording layer consisting essentially of a thermotropic cholesteric liquid crystalline glutamate copolymer represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl group having not more than 10 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, provided R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are not the same, and m and n are in the relation of 50.ltoreq.m+n.ltoreq.2,000, m/n=80.about.10/20.about.90.

Abstract: Erasable optical recording element according to FIG. 1 having a substrate 1 and a recording layer 4 which is provided thereon and which satisfies the formula (QSb).sub.100-x M.sub.x, wherein Q is the element Ga or In, M is a metal or chalcogenide element and x has the value 2-15, as well as a method of optically recording and erasing information in which under the influence of pulsated laser light amorphous info areas 10 are formed in the recording layer 4, which areas can be reverted by laser light to the crystalline phase and can be erased.

Abstract: A medium for image formation which comprises a monomolecular film or monomolecular built-up film of a metal chelate compound and a process for image formation which comprises (1) manipulating the adsorption of a gas on a metal chelate compound and the desorption of the gas therefrom or (2) reducing metal ions in molecules of a metal chelate compound.

Abstract: According to the method a rotating recording element 23 (FIG. 3) having a crystalline recording layer 28 of the composition Q.sub.x Sb.sub.y Te.sub.z, wherein Q=In, Ga; X=34-44 at. %; y=51-62 at. %; Z=2-9 at. %; is exposed to a pulsated laser light spot 29 (FIG. ) in which amorphous information bits are formed which are read by means of weak laser light 30 and which can be erased in real time during one revolution of the element 23 by means of a laser light erasing spot 33 (FIG. 4) and be returned to the crystalline state.

Abstract: An optical recording medium and an optical recording process using such a medium are provided. The optical recording medium comprises a photo-polymerizable monomer having a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group, and at least one unsaturated bond in the molecule.

Abstract: Optical recording and record elements are provided. The elements comprise a write-once amorphous thin-film optical recording layer of an alloy having a composition within a polygon in a ternary composition diagram of antimony, aluminum, and tin; wherein(a) the composition diagram is according to FIG.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is prepared by the use of spiropyrane whose molecular structure contains an alkyl chain having at least 10 more carbon atoms, and by the use of an LB film method or a spin coating method. This recording medium is of a structure wherein when irradiated with the UV, the spiropyrane is photo-isomerized to photomerocyane and, thereafter, when subsequently heated at 35.degree. to 40.degree. C. for 15 minutes, a J-aggregate of the photomerocyane is formed in very stabilized form. When the recording medium is irradiated with light of wavelength of visible spectrum, the color is bleached with the information consequently recorded. The optical recording medium herein disclosed is rewritable and can retain the recorded information for 5,000 hours or more.

Abstract: Provided is an optical information recording medium and a method of recording information thereon. The information layer of the recording medium comprises an anthracyanine or phenanthracyanine chromophore compound. In a preferred embodiment, the chromophore is substituted with at least one substituent conferring film forming properties to the chromophore, e.g., a monomer or oligomeric substituent comprised of acid, amide or ester units. The resulting information layer exhibits strong absorption in the range of from about 780-850 nm. Employing an anthracyanine or phenanthracyanine chromophore substituted with a film forming substituent further offers the advantages of a single component material exhibiting good thermomechanical properties.

Abstract: A recording method utilizing a thin blended layer of two or more polymers which assumes a mutually dissolved transparent state below a predetermined temperature but a phase-separated opaque state above this temperature, in which a halftone reproduction is achieved through control of temperature applied to the thin layer.

Abstract: A laser information recording medium comprising a substrate, a reflective layer and a recording layer. The recording layer is made of cumulative sub-layers of J-aggregates of an organic dye having an absorption band in the wavelength range of oscillation of the laser and an anionic film-forming material. The cumulative sub-layers may be formed by the Langmuir-Blodgett thin film method. The recording layer may also consist of a plurality of layers containing organic dyes having different absorption peaks of wavelength in their respective sub-layers. The organic dyes are preferably cyanine dyes of a specific type and the cationic film-forming material is preferably a mixture of at least two members of the group consisting of dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride, octadecylamine and methyl stearate.

Abstract: An optical recording medium and an optical recording process using such a medium are provided. The optical recording medium comprises a photopolymerizable monomer having a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group, and at least one unsaturated bond in the molecule.

Abstract: Erasable optical memories for storing information are prepared from organic materials having two stable crystalline forms. Each crystalline form has at least one different optical characteristic and the materials are reversibly thermally convertible between the crystalline forms. Information is recorded or erased with a laser beam that heats a film of the organic material in a local area to change the crystalline form. Information may also be recorded or erased by melting a local area or all of the film and quickly cooling it to restore the original crystalline form. Examples of such organic compounds are biaryl compounds, such as binaphthyls, bianthryls and biquinolyls.

Abstract: An alloy having variable spectral reflectance having a composition which essentially consists of Ag, 30 to 46 wt % of Zn and 0.1 to 15 wt % in total of at least one element selected from elements of groups Ia, IIa, Iva, Va, VIa, VIIa, VIII, Ib to Vb and rare earth elements, the alloy being able to have different crystal structures, one of which is obtained when it is held in solid state at a first temperature above the room temperature, another of which is obtained when the same is held in the solid state at a second temperture lower than said first temperature. Disclosed also is an information recording medium made of the alloy. The alloy exhibits a reversible change in color or spectral reflectance as a result of change between two crystal phases, so that the information recording medium produced from this alloy can be used effectively as the medium for recording, regeneration and erasion of the informations.

Abstract: A optical recording medium which comprises a substrate and a recording layer of at least two J-aggregates of dyes formed on the substrate is described. The dyes may be photochromic dyes or other types of dyes capable of forming the aggregates which have narrower absorption spectral ranges than original dyes. A plurality of information bits can be written in the recording layer by irradiation of one laser beam spot. The recording layer is formed by an LB film method or a method capable of fluidizing a dye solution in a direction horizontal to the substrate surface. A recording method using the medium is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium employing conductive polymers and a recording method employing the recording medium. The recording medium of the present invention is comprised of a substrate and a conductive polymer layer including a dopant therein and layered on the substrate. In addition, the recording method according to the present invention is effected on the basis of selective change in the amount of the dopant contained in the conductive polymers. The recording medium according to the present invention is utilizable ion the field of recording, memory and electronic devices, while displaying remarkably advantageous recording characteristics and environmental stability.

Abstract: Improved printing with polymers is achieved by interposing a liquid layer conforming to rough substrate surfaces and possibly exhibiting different characteristics from an outer surface polymer layer. This is particularly advantageous in printed wiring board (PWB) manufacture requiring solder mask coating. Thus, a two layer composite polymer coating is provided. One inner adhesive photopolymer layer is applied to the PWB in the liquid state, displacing air from PWB surface. The outer layer of the composite therefore can be epoxy, dry film or liquid polymer. Dry film thus carried on a thin plastic sheet may be overlaminated onto a liquid inner layer already on the substrate, without the need for a vacuum laminator to eliminate bubbles or a plasticizing heat step to conform the dry film to the surface.

Abstract: Provide is an optical data storage medium comprising a chromophore/polymer composition information layer, wherein the polymer and chromophore are chemically bound so as to improve chromophore/polymer compatibility. If necessary, the chromophore or the polymer may be modified to improve their interaction. When modification is desired, it is preferred to modify the polymer so as not to disturb the chromophore structure, which is generally selected for its absorption features. The interaction between the chromophore and polymer can be either covalent on non-covalent. The overall result is an information layer having improved chromophore/polymer compatibility.

Abstract: A recording element comprising, as the optical recording layer, an amorphous thin film of an alloy having the formula:(Ge.sub.x Te.sub.1-x).sub.1-z Ti.sub.zwherein, on an atom-to-atom basis,x is from 0.33 to 0.55, andz is greater than zero up to 0.30 is disclosed.

Abstract: In order to be able, in a simple manner, to erase, by heating, data recorded on bodies with reversible, temperature-variable light extinctions, and then to be able to use the body anew for the recording of data, these bodies consists of at least one polymer material and/or resin matrix material (A) and at least one organic low-molecular substance (B), which is insoluble, at least partially, in the latter and which is contained therein as a dispersed second phase, whereby the pair of materials (A/B) possess variable light extinctions below a specific temperature (T.sub.0) in dependence on a previous heating above T.sub.0 and are so constituted that, upon being heated above a conversion temperature (T.sub.2) which lies above T.sub.0, and being cooled off subsequently to below T.sub.0, yields maximum light extinction; and, upon being heated in the state of maximum light extinction to a temperature (T.sub.1) which lies above T.sub.0 and below T.sub.2, and subsequent cooling off to below T.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to high energy beam-sensitive glass articles exhibiting insensitivity and/or inertness to actinic radiation, i.e., glass articles which are darkened and/or colored within a thin surface layer of, e.g., about 0.1-3 .mu.m upon exposure to a high energy beam, electron beam, and ion beams in particular, without a subsequent development step, and which need no fixing to stabilize the colored image, since both the recorded image and the glass article are sensitive to radiation in the spectral range of uv and longer wavelengths. More particularly, the instant invention is concerned with Ag.sup.+ ion-exchanged glass articles having base glass within alkali metal silicate composition fields containing at least one of the oxides of transition metals which have one to four d-electrons in an atomic state. Whereas the base glass composition can be varied widely, spontaneous reduction as well as photo-reduction of Ag.sup.

Abstract: A light-emitting display component has a light-emitting display layer made of a monomolecular layers of inclusion complex compounds each comprising host molecules and guest molecules.

Abstract: Provided is an optical data storage medium comprising a chromophore/polymer composition information layer, wherein the chromophore is chemically bound or coordinated with the polymer. The chromophore is an organo macrocyclic chromophore containing a constituent metal atom, and preferably a central metal atom, with the chromophore being coordinated to the polymer through the metal atom. As a result, the chromophore/polymer material has excellent film-forming properties so that the medium can be readily and efficiently manufactured. As well, the resulting information layer offers excellent thermomechanical properties and exhibits excellent absorption properties, all in a single component material. By utilizing a single component material, the problem of dye/polymer phase separation frequently encountered in conventional dye/polymer mixtures is also overcome.

Abstract: An optical disc including a medium having both a continuous phase and a non-continuous phase yields excellent contrast and stability for optical recording purposes. Exemplary of materials that form the desired multi-phase system are those produced by sputtering metals such as indium in an oxygen environment.

Abstract: A process for recording an erasable pattern which comprises selective deaggregation of an aggregate dye complex layer of a recording element. As a result, a color change occurs in the selected areas. In preferred embodiments, the pattern is produced by selectively exposing the layer to laser light. The pattern can be erased by exposing the layer to an appropriate solvent, or by heating the aggregate dye complex.

Abstract: A photochromic photosensitive composition contains a benzothiazolinospiropyran compound represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a methoxy group or an alkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a methoxy group or a methylthio group, dissolved or dispersed in a bisphenol A type polyether resin for enhancing thermal stability of the compound in a colored state. Addition of a phenol to the composition serves to further enhance the heat stability. As compared with conventional photochromic compositions, this photochromic photosensitive composition is thermally extremely stable in a colored state, and the developed color image can be stored for an enough long time to be suited for long-time recording.

Abstract: A heat erasable photographic material comprises, in reactive association, in a suitable binder:(a) photographic silver halide;(b) a mild oxidizing agent which consists essentially of a cobalt(III) amine salt which, upon heating of the photographic material, will oxidize any latent image silver present in the photographic material; and(c) a weak complexing agent for the oxidized silver.Any latent image silver in the photographic material is erased upon brief uniform heating of the photographic material. The photographic material is light handleable prior to uniform heating. After uniform heating, the photographic material is capable of being imagewise exposed and processed to produce a developed silver image. The photographic material may comprise a selected silver halide developing agent.

Abstract: The invention is a recording medium wherein the light absorptive layer is a granular material comprising domains of a light sensitive material embedded in a dielectric matrix. The domains comprise a material which can be reversibly switched from a first state to a second state having different optical properties by the absorption of light. The matrix is composed of a material which is effective for inhibiting the formation of an irreversible change in the optical properties of the absorptive layer. The invention further comprises this optical recording medium having an information track recorded therein as a series of regions in the absorptive layer wherein the domains have been reversibly switched to a second state having different optical properties.

Abstract: The photosensitivity of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramic material used in high resolution, high contrast, and non-volatile photoferroelectric image storage and display devices is enhanced significantly by positive ion implantation of the PLZT near its surface. Implanted ions include H.sup.+, He.sup.+, Ne.sup.+, Ar.sup.+, as well as chemically reactive ions from Fe, Cr, and Al. The positive ion implantation advantageously serves to shift the absorption characteristics of the PLZT material from near-UV light to visible light. As a result, photosensitivity enhancement is such that the positive ion implanted PLZT plate is sensitive even to sunlight and conventional room lighting, such as fluorescent and incandescent light sources. The method disclosed includes exposing the PLZT plate to the positive ions at sufficient density, from 1.times.10.sup.12 to 1.times.10.sup.17, and with sufficient energy, from 100 to 500 KeV, to provide photosensitivity enhancement.

Abstract: A non-crinkling, wrinkling or curling erasable diazo-type intermediate material comprising a flexible light transmitting substrate, a flexible barrier layer on the substrate comprising an aliphatic organic alcohol insoluble elastomeric or thermoplastic material coated on the substrate in a non-aqueous medium and dried, and a photosensitive layer overlaying the barrier layer comprising an aliphatic alcohol soluble polymer resin binder, a diazo dye and an azo coupler, the photosensitive composition being dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent, coated and dried.

Abstract: The light sensitive recording material which is suitable for use as recording material in computers and oscillographs contains as light sensitive substance a photochromic film forming cyclic polyimide compound.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with hydrated glass articles having base compositions within the Na.sub.2 O and/or K.sub.2 O-ZnO-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -SiO.sub.2 -Cl field and having at least a surface layer thereon containing Ag-AgCl crystals which impart photo-anisotropic effects to the glass articles. Silver ions are introduced into the surface layer through a solution ion exchange process with sodium and/or potassium ions of the parent glass. The silver remains in the ionic state until exposure to ultraviolet radiation which results in the development of silver-containing aggregates, i.e., Ag-AgCl, via a photolytic reaction. The aggregates contribute to photo-anisotropic absorption bands which are centered around 340 nm and 700 nm. Polarization of the photo-dichroic and photo-birefringent effects of the inventive products can be altered reversibly between two arbitrary directions without fatigue. The photo-anisotropic image can be read cyclically essentially indefinitely without destruction.