Abstract: A method for crosslinking one or more molecules comprises crosslinking the one or more molecules with a photactivatable crosslinker by one-photon or multi-photon excitation, wherein the crosslinker comprises at least two photoactive groups linked by a bridging moiety, and further wherein the point volume of the activation has at least one dimension of less than about 1 micron. The method is of particular utility for water-soluble molecules, particularly biologically active water-soluble molecules.

Abstract: The present invention has as its object to provide a pattern forming method which, even if a pattern is formed by photolithography, can keep the edge of the opening portion of the pattern in a sharp state and yet, can make the wall surface of the recess of the pattern into a tapered shape, and a method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head to which the aforedescribed method is applied.

Abstract: A process for making photonic crystal circuit and a photonic crystal circuit consisting of regularly-distributed holes in a high index dielectric material, and controllably-placed defects within this lattice, creating waveguides, cavities, etc. for photonic devices. The process is based upon the discovery that some positive ultraviolet (UV) photoresists are electron beam sensitive and behave like negative electron beam photoresists. This permits creation of photonic crystal circuits using a combination of electron beam and UV exposures. As a result, the process combines the best features of the two exposure methods: the high speed of UV exposure and the high resolution and control of the electron beam exposure. The process also eliminates the need for expensive photomasks.

Abstract: Continuous, conducting metal patterns can be formed from metal nanoparticle containing films by exposure to radiation (FIG. 1). The metal patterns can be one, two, or three dimensional and have high resolution resulting in feature sizes in the order of micron down to nanometers. Compositions containing the nanoparticles coated with a ligand and further including a dye, a metal salt, and either a matrix or an optional sacrificial donor are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lift-off process for patterning layers that are deposited and/or sputtered. The invention provides a two-layer resist and a patterning method using the resist. The patterning method can readily produce burr-free layers on a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: sequentially applying positive radiation-sensitive resin compositions 1 and 2 to form a two-layer laminate; subjecting the two-layer resist to single exposure and development to produce fine patterns having an undercut cross section; depositing and/or sputtering an organic or inorganic thin layer with use of the resist pattern as a mask; and lifting off the resist pattern to leave a pattern of the thin layer in desired shape.

Abstract: A multiphoton-absorption exposure apparatus for exposing a multiphoton absorption material by applying light to the multiphoton absorption material so that the light converges at a predetermined convergence position, in which an exposure-condition control unit is provided for changing an exposure condition so that optical reactions are more likely to occur when the predetermined convergence position is located deeper in the multiphoton absorption material.

Abstract: Disclosed are mesophasic optical articles, methods of making mesophasic articles and methods of using mesophasic articles. In particular, this invention relates to mesophasic optical articles that can be prepared in situ with out the need of calcination, sintering, solvent evaporation, or other common method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation curable composition comprising relative to the total weight of the composition (A) 0–29 wt % of a cationically curable component having a linking aliphatic ester group, (B) 10–85 wt % of an epoxygroup containing component other than A, (C) 1–50 wt % of an oxetanegroup containing component, (D) 1–25 wt % of a multifunctional acrylate and a radical photoinitiator and a cationic photoinitiator.

Abstract: The description herein includes cyanine dyes and analogs of the vaso-active intestinal peptide. These are useful to provide peptide-dye conjugates for use as contrast media in optical diagnoses.

Abstract: A method of increasing the efficiency of a multiphoton absorption process and apparatus. The method includes: providing a photoreactive composition; providing a source of sufficient light for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons; exposing the photoreactive composition to at least one transit of light from the light source; and directing at least a portion of the first transit of the light back into the photoreactive composition using at least one optical element, wherein a plurality of photons not absorbed in at least one transit are used to expose the photoreactive composition in a subsequent transit.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a three-dimensional polyimide optical waveguide, which comprises: (I) irradiating a polyamic acid film with a laser beam while converging the laser beam at an inside portion of the film and relatively moving the light convergence point, the polyamic acid film containing: (a) a polyamic acid obtained from a tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine; and (b) per 100 parts of the polyamic acid, from 0.5 part by weight to less than 10 parts by weight of a specific 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative represented by formula (I): and then, (II) heating the polyamic acid film to imidize the polyamic acid, thereby obtaining an optical waveguide having a continuous core region where the refraction index has been changed, in the thus formed polyimide film.

Abstract: An optical disk from which recorded data are read out by means of light irradiation has a substrate having recording pits as data on a surface thereof, and stacked films formed on the substrate. The stacked films contain a super-resolution film of a polymer matrix and semiconductor particles having an organic group covalently bonded thereto, and a reflective film reflecting light. The super-resolution film and the reflective film are provided in this order from a light incident side.

Abstract: Provided are compositions suitable for use in forming a flexible optical waveguide. The compositions include a polymer, having units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted organic group, and a plurality of functional end groups. A first component is provided for altering the solubility of the composition in a dried state upon activation. A second component contains a plurality of functional groups chosen from hydroxy, amino, thiol, sulphonate ester, carboxylate ester, silyl ester, anhydride, aziridine, methylolmethyl, silyl ether, and combinations thereof. The second component is present in an effective amount to improve flexibility of the composition in a dried state before and after activation. Also provided are flexible optical waveguides, methods of forming flexible optical waveguides and electronic devices that include a flexible optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are compositions suitable for use in forming a flexible optical waveguide. The compositions include a polymer that has units of the formula (R1SiO1.5) and (R22SiO), wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, and are substituted and/or unsubstituted organic groups, and wherein the (R22SiO) units are present in an amount of 14 wt % or more based on the polymer; and a plurality of functional end and/or internal groups. Also included is a component for altering the solubility of the composition upon activation. The solubility of the composition in a dried state is alterable upon activation of the component such that the composition is developable in an aqueous developer solution. Also provided are flexible optical waveguides, methods of forming flexible optical waveguides and electronic devices that include a flexible optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are compositions which include a polymer, having units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted organic group, and a plurality of functional end groups. A first component is provided for altering the solubility of the composition in a dried state upon activation. A second component contains a plurality of functional groups chosen from epoxides, oxetanes, vinyl ethers and combinations thereof. The second component is present in an effective amount to improve flexibility of the composition in a dried state before and after activation. Also provided are flexible optical waveguides, methods of forming flexible optical waveguides and electronic devices that include a flexible optical waveguide.

Abstract: To provide a polymerizable composition suitable for a lithographic printing plate precursor which can satisfy the requirements of high sensitivity, excellent storage stability and long press life and enables direct plate making from digital data from computer, etc. when recording is conducted a solid laser or semiconductor laser emitting ultraviolet ray, visible light or infrared ray and a compound therefore, the present invention relates to a photoradical polymerizable composition comprising a polyfunctional crosslinking agent having a specific structure represented by formula (I) or (II) defined in the specification.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of organically developable, photopolymerizable flexographic elements on flexible metallic supports by coating a flexible metallic support with a tack-free adhesive coating composition which is insoluble and non-swelling in printing inks and organic developers, attaching an elastomeric, photopolymerizable layer to a protective film, and laminating the photopolymerizable layer to the metallic support coated with said adhesive coating composition. A photopolymerizable flexographic element comprising a photopolymerizable layer which is attached to a metallic support by means of a tack-free adhesive film that is non-swelling and insoluble in printing inks and organic developers.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems, e.g., to control the flow of photo-polymerizable resins. In the method, e.g., flow of a photo-polymerizable resin is restricted from illuminated resin exclusion regions on a substrate surface by precisely situated flow barriers. A system to control photo-polymerizable resin flow includes, e.g., a light source, a mask and a substrate.

Abstract: A three dimensional optical data storage and retrieval system that includes a three dimensional optical data storage medium and an apparatus for providing access to data stored on the medium. The data storage medium includes an optical data storage material which either a low molecular weight or polymeric glassy solid that are capable of undergoing multi-photon excitation that are energetically different in the write and read cycles. The optical data storage materials provide substantially higher storage capacities relative to conventional materials, and show high robustness in that written and stored data can undergo multiple read cycles without erasure or overwriting. An apparatus for data recording and accessing stored data on the medium includes a controllable variable energy photo-emitting excitation source and an emission photo-detector.

Abstract: A liquid radiation-curable composition that comprises (A) at least one polymerizing organic substance comprising a mixture of (1) at least one alicyclic epoxide having at least two epoxy groups; and (2) at least one difunctional or higher functional glycidylether of a polyhydric compound; (B) at least one free-radical polymerizing organic substance comprising a mixture of (1) optionally, at least one trifunctional or higher functional (meth)acrylate compound; and (2) at least one aromatic di(meth)acrylate compound; (C) at least one cationic polymerization initiator; (D) at least one free-radical polymerization initiator; (E) optionally, at least one hydroxyl-functional aliphatic compound; and (F) at least one hydroxyl-functional aromatic compound; wherein the concentration of hydroxyl groups in the radiation-curable composition is at least about 1.1 equivalent OH groups per kilogram; wherein the concentration of epoxy groups in the radiation-curable composition is at least about 5.

Abstract: A photocurable resin composition suitable for use in three-dimensional photofabrication comprising (A) a cationically polymerizable organic compound, (B) a cationic photoinitiator, and (C) a (co)polymer obtainable by (co)polymerization of monomers comprising at least one (meth)acrylate-group comprising monomer. A process for producing a three-dimensional object which comprises the use of a washing agent having a Hansen-solubility between 27-35 (Mpa)1/2.

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (A), which comprises a group of sub-formula (I) where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X1 and Y1 are various specified organic groups wherein at least one of said groups has sufficient electron whitdrawing properties to activate the multiple bonds to polymerisation, in a stereolithographic composition. Stereolithographic applications of these compounds are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A stereolithographic method and apparatus for forming polymeric structures comprising a plurality of overlying layers, each layer formed by polymerizing a thin layer of liquid photopolymer on a prior layer. Crevices formed at the layer interfaces are filled by a stereolithographic method comprising lifting the multilayered structure from the liquid photopolymer, draining excess liquid therefrom, tilting the structure to provide an acute angle of incidence between an incident radiation beam and a side wall of the object, and applying radiation to the crevice to polymerize at least the surface of a quantity of liquid photopolymer therein. The structure may then be subjected to a separate final full cure to fully harden the structure. An exemplary use is the packaging of electronic components and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively process material on a processing surface of a printing form to create a fine structure or pattern for images or text. At least one fiber laser comprising a pump source and a laser fiber is provided. A laser gun is mounted adjacent the printing form and has at least a focusing optics. The fiber laser outputs a laser beam which is diffraction-limited to permit the focusing optics to focus the laser beam onto the processing surface of the printing form as a spot having a spot size sufficiently small to process the processing surface to create the fine structure or pattern images or text.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing amorphous silicon using a mask having a transmitting portion including a plurality of stripes, wherein end lines of at least two stripes are not collinear; and a blocking portion enclosing the plurality of stripes includes the steps of setting the mask over a substrate having an amorphous silicon layer, applying a first laser beam to a first area of the amorphous silicon layer through the mask, thereby forming a first crystallization region, moving the substrate in a first direction, thereby disposing the blocking portion of the mask over the first crystallization region, and applying a second laser beam to the first area of the amorphous silicon layer through the mask, thereby forming a second crystallization region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polymeric compositions that exhibit Reverse Thermal Gelation (RTG) properties for use as Support Materials (SM) in the manufacture of three-dimensional objects. These polymers are Temperature Sensitive Polymers that respond with a significant change of properties to a small change in temperature. Temperature Sensitive Polymers exhibit cloud point (CP) or lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous solutions. Water-soluble Temperature Sensitive Polymers are chosen to give low viscosity liquid at low temperature when dissolved in water and by that to permit easy dispensing at low temperature. Raising the temperature above their gelation temperature (Tgel) will result in solidification of the composition. At its gel position the material has favorable characteristics as a support and building material. The gel layers have the appropriate toughness and dimensional stability to support the model layers during the building process.

Abstract: In an apparatus for fabricating a carbon coating, an object such as a magnetic r cording medium is disposed on a side of an electrode connected to a high-frequency power supply. Ultrasonic vibrations are supplied to the object. Discharge is generated between the electrode connected to the high-frequency power supply and a grounded electrode to fabricate a carbon coating on the surface of the object. Also, an electrode interval is set to 6 mm or less, pressure between the electrodes is set to 15 Torr to 100 Torr, whereby high-density plasma is generated to form an ion sheath on an anode side. Therefore, a coating is fabricated on the surface of the object by bombardment of ions.

Abstract: A liquid radiation-curable composition that comprises (A) at least one polymerizing organic substance; (B) at least one free-radical polymerizing organic substance; (C) at least one cationic polymerization initiator; (D) at least one free-radical polymerization initiator; (E) at least one hydroxyl-functional compound; and (F) at least one epoxy interpenetrating polymer compound;

Abstract: Polymer aggregates in a photoresist layer may be dissolved or reduced in dimension by treatment with supercritical carbon dioxide. The supercritical carbon dioxide may be used before and/or after development of the photoresist. The SCCO2 treatment causes swelling of the photoresist and may allow polymer aggregates in the photoresist to be dissolved. Controlled release of the carbon dioxide de-swells the photoresist, resulting in reduced line edge roughness of openings in the photoresist and reduced resistance of metal lines formed in the openings.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a cationically curable component and a substantially compatible free radical polymerizable component. Compatible free radical polymerizable components include alkoxylated free radical polymerizable components. Objects obtained by curing the present compositions, for instance by rapid prototyping the compositions, have an improved clarity.

Abstract: A photomask plate with a film surface protective layer is characterized in that a protective layer forming solution is prepared by mixing a main constituent comprising a two-liquid cross-linked antifouling surface coating agent, prepared by combining a mixed resin of a fluororesin and an acrylic resin in a solvent mixture of n-butyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), with a cross-linking curing agent, prepared by mixing a polyisocyanate prepolymer and ethyl acetate, and a diluent comprising n-butyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and cellosolve (ethylene glycol monoethyl ether) acetate. This protective layer forming solution is applied to a film surface of a photomask plate photosensitive emulsion layer produced by forming the film surface of the photosensitive emulsion layer (an emulsion photomask) on a substrate. The protective layer forming solution is then aged to form a film surface protective layer in a laminated manner.

Abstract: An inkjet method is used to make an offset lithographic printing master by imagewise application of droplets of a coalescing agent on a layer of imageable medium comprising hydrophobic polymer particles, pre-coated on a hydrophilic lithographic base. Treatment with a developer removes those areas of the layer that have not been imagewise coalesced, thereby revealing the underlying hydrophilic base to create a lithographic printing master. The combination of imageable media and coalescing agent may be used in the fully on-press fabrication of a negative-working lithographic master, which may optionally also be made on a re-usable base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a laser to remove surface contamination and oxidation from a ball grid array substrate. The laser etching can be configured to cover the entire substrate or pinpointed to the epoxy molding compound/solder resist (EMC/SR) interfaces. Additionally, a laser can be used to roughen the surface of a substrate to provide better adhesion when attaching the die to the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid colored radiation-curable composition that comprises:

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation curable composition comprising relative to the total weight of the composition (A) 0-29 wt % of a cationically curable component having a linking aliphatic ester group, (B) 10-85 wt % of an epoxygroup containing component other than A, (C) 1-50 wt % of an oxetanegroup containing component, (D) 1-25 wt % of a multifunctional acrylate and a radical photoinitiator and a cationic photoinitiator.

Abstract: A liquid radiation-curable composition that comprises

Abstract: This invention discloses compositions adapted to produce, through solid imaging means, excellent quality objects having material properties that simulate the look and feel of polypropylene articles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lift-off process for patterning layers that are deposited and/or sputtered. The invention provides a two-layer resist and a patterning method using the resist. The patterning method can readily produce burr-free layers on a substrate.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium, especially a CD-RW medium, that can undergo direct overwriting at high speed is disclosed. The optical information recording medium includes a transparent substrate, at least a recording layer and a reflective layer on or above the substrate and is capable of performing at least one of recording, erasing and rewriting information by irradiating and scanning with focused light to thereby form and/or erase recording marks on the recording layer.

Abstract: This invention discloses compositions adapted to produce, through solid imaging means, excellent quality objects having material properties that simulate the look and feel of polypropylene articles.

Abstract: A method and system for providing copy-protected optical medium using transient optical state change security materials capable of changing optical state when exposed to a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 660 nm and software code to detect such change in optical state.

Abstract: A method for providing color to a stereolithographically produced model is disclosed. This method comprises obtaining data representing the model, such that the data is readable by a stereolithographic model generating machine for solidifying layers of a liquid resin in a vat creating resin layers to create successive cross sections of the model. Each of the resin layers are exposed with energy effective for solidifying the resin. One or more portions of at least one of the resin layers are overexposed with an energy according to a coloring or shading indicated in the data. The model is heated with an effective amount of heat to induce a color or shading change in substantially only the overexposed portions of the model. The model is removed from the vat and cleaned. Next, the model can be exposed to an energy source, followed by the finishing of the model.

Abstract: A stereolithographic method and apparatus for forming polymeric structures comprising a plurality of overlying layers, each layer formed by polymerizing a thin layer of liquid photopolymer on a prior layer. Crevices formed at the layer interfaces are filled by a stereolithographic method comprising lifting the multilayered structure from the liquid photopolymer, draining excess liquid therefrom, tilting the structure to provide an acute angle of incidence between an incident radiation beam and a side wall of the object, and applying radiation to the crevice to polymerize at least the surface of a quantity of liquid photopolymer therein. The structure may then be subjected to a separate final full cure to fully harden the structure. An exemplary use is the packaging of electronic components and the like.

Abstract: A heat mode-applicable image-formation material having high sensitivity and excellent image-forming property, and a novel infrared absorber which can be suitably used in this material. The present invention relates to a substrate carrying thereon an image-formation layer which contains an infrared absorption agent. The agent has at least one surface orientation group in the molecule, and solubility of the image-formation layer in an alkaline aqueous solution is changed by action of radiation in the near-infrared range. Preferable as the infrared absorbing agent is an infrared absorber comprising, in a molecule thereof, a fluorine-containing substituent which have at least 5 fluorine atoms, or a polymethine chain of at least 5 carbon atoms and an alkyl group of at least 8 carbon atoms, said alkyl group being connected to the polymethine chain via any of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur.

Abstract: This invention discloses compositions adapted to produce, through solid imaging means, excellent quality objects having material properties that simulate the look and feel of polyethylene articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photocurable liquid resin composition comprising: (A) a cationically polymerizable organic compound; (B) a cationic photopolymerization initiator; (C) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; (D) a radical photopolymerization initiator; (E) a polyether polyol compound having one or more hydroxyl groups in one molecule; and, optionally, includes elastomer particles having a specific particle diameter and/or an epoxy-branched alicyclic compound.

Abstract: Lithographic printing form precursors comprising positive working polymeric coatings on substrates may during storage or transportation undergo undesirable changes in their imaging properties. It has been found that acceptable properties can be restored by carrying out a heat treatment which involves a relatively short heating stage followed by accelerated cooling.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive resin composition containing an alkali-soluble resin, for example a novolak-quinonediazide positive-working radiation sensitive resin composition and a chemically amplified negative-working resin composition, wherein the alkali-soluble resin contains at least an alkali-soluble resin obtained by polycondensation of a compound represented by the following general formula (I) and a phenol if necessary, with an aldehyde. wherein R represents a hydroxyl group or an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3 and, when n is 2 or 3, each R group may be the same or different.

Abstract: The invention provides a stereolithographic resin composition including a photo-curable component, a resin having a function of causing a reversible, quick sol-gel phase transition based on temperature change, and a filler, and a stereolithographic method using the resin composition.

Abstract: A photohardenable composition especially suitable for use in solid imaging. The compositions are characterized by their improved photospeed in combined with excellent initial green strength. The compositions allows for the production of articles by solid imaging processing techniques that show little or no distortion, high accuracy, excellent clarity. The compositions are low in toxicity and have low sensitivity to water.