Abstract: A process for forming a resist pattern comprises the steps of applying on a substrate to form a photosensitive resist layer a photosensitive composition comprising at least one photosensitive compound having, in the molecule, two or more structural units represented by C6R2-6—CHR1—OR7 or C6R2-6—CHR1—COOR7 where R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, at least one of R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is a nitro group, and others are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl, an alkoxy, a phenyl, a naphthyl, and an alkyl in which a part or the entire of hydrogen atoms are substituted by a fluorine atom, and R7 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene or naphthylene group dissolved in an organic solvent, irradiating the resist layer selectively with a radiation ray, and developing a portion irradiated by the ray to form a pattern of the resist layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic pellicle for optimal use in the liquid-immersion exposure-type photolithography that employs selectively only the inclinedly incident components of incident laser beams, the lithographic pellicle affording a broader range of inclined incidence transmissivity that can be used in a photolithographic procedure. A lithographic pellicle for use in photolithography by using ArF excimer laser beams, which comprises a pellicle membrane having a thickness larger by 1.7% to 2.8% than any one of thicknesses at which the pellicle membrane exhibits a local maximum transmissivity to a vertically incident ArF excimer laser beam.

Abstract: A process for forming an image on a substrate, which comprises coating the substrate with an amine of molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium that changes colour on heating or irradiation as an aqueous dispersion or suspension or as a solution in an organic solvent. Also described is a coated substrate, wherein the coating is a substantially visible light-transparent layer comprising an amine compound of molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium, and a solution of said amine compound and a thermoplastic polymer or a photo-polymerisable monomer.

Abstract: A package of thermographic or photothermographic materials has a primary packaging enclosure, and optionally a secondary packaging enclosure, containing one or more of the materials (such as individual sheets). A non-photosensitive indicator device is associated with either or both of the packaging enclosures. This non-photosensitive indicator device is adapted to provide a visually observable indication of a predetermined cumulative thermal exposure and a predetermined temperature event (that is, single temperature event) of the package. This indicator device is able to provide information as to the time-temperature history of the package.

Abstract: The invention concerns a printing plate in the form of a roller and a method for obtaining same. Said method consists in producing on a first layer, at least a photopolymer film and in coiling said layers on themselves to form a roller. The invention is applicable in flexographic or typographic printing.

Abstract: A radiographic image conversion panel containing a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer formed by a vapor-accumulating method, wherein the phosphor layer has a thickness distribution of not more than ±20%, the thickness distribution being defined by the formula: ((Dmax?Dmin)/(Dmax+Dmin))×100, provided that Dmax is a maximum thickness of the phosphor layer; and Dmin is a minimum thickness of the phosphor layer.

Abstract: A photographic imaging apparatus includes a housing defining an interior cavity, an opening at one end of the housing to allow light to enter the interior cavity, and a photographic imaging substrate located within the interior cavity opposite from the opening for receiving the light entering the interior cavity through the opening, the photographic imaging substrate including a light passing substrate, a photosensitive agent capable of producing oxygen in the presence of light, and precursor gas, the photosensitive agent being supported on the light passing substrate away from the opening, and exposable to light that has passed through the light passing substrate from the opening, and an oxidizable surface positioned in close association with the photosensitive agent, the oxidizable surface is chemically reactive, the reaction being enhanced by electric current, to yield a visual change or image upon exposure to oxygen produced by the photosensitive agent upon.

Abstract: Described is a polymerizable composition of a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic compound, at least one material having at least one carbonate group and at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one monoisocyanate containing material having at least one unsaturated group. The polymerizable composition optionally contains copolymerizable monomers. Also described are photochromic polymerizates, e.g., photochromic optical elements such as ophthalmic lenses, prepared from the polymerizable composition of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processless printing plate precursor including a thermally sensitive layer applied onto a substrate. The thermally sensitive layer includes polycyanoacrylate particles having a major dimension between about 50 and about 500 nm, and a mean major dimension of no greater than about 350 nm. The printing plate precursor may be exposed to radiation and may then be developed “on press” with a suitable fountain solution.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for production of color images using leuco dye-containing color forming compositions are described. The color forming composition can include a color forming leuco dye, a metal salt activator, a suppression agent configured for inhibiting the activity of the metal salt activator until application of energy in the form of heat or light, and an initiator precursor. The initiator precursor is capable of liberating scavenger species which reduce the inhibiting action of the suppression agent. The color forming compositions can be a single phase mixture of a leuco dye, metal salt activator, suppression agent, and initiator precursor which are stable under ambient conditions and form a colored composition upon application of energy.

Abstract: An optical disk includes a first substrate provided with a first minute concaves/convexes forming a CD signal and a second substrate provided with a second minute concaves/convexes forming a DVD signal, and a wavelength selective multi-layered film is formed on the second minute concaves/convexes by laminating titanium dioxide films and silicon dioxide films approximately fifteen (15) layers. Due to the wavelength selective multi-layered film, a laser beam which reproduces the CD signal is transmitted by a transmissivity of more than 80%, and a laser beam which reproduces the DVD signal is reflected by a reflectivity of more than 80%.

Abstract: An optical recording medium in which deposition of impurities or damage to a surface of the medium illuminated by the light for signal recording and/or reproduction is to be prevented from occurring. An amine salt compound of perfluoropolyether having terminal carboxylic groups, represented by the chemical formulas (1) and/or (2): Rf—COO?N+HR1R2R3??(formula 1) R1R2R3N+H?CO—Rf—COO?N+HR1R2R3??(formula 2) where Rf denotes a perfluoropolyether group and R1, R2 and R3 denote hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, is held on the surface side illuminated by light.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an optically functional element having a large change in refractive index with temperature change and a fast change rate in refractive index, a production method for the same and optical switch, temperature sensor and optical information recording medium using the same. The present invention provides a thin film formed directly on a substrate or via other layers, and the film is composed of particles with an average diameter of not larger than 13 nm, observed at film surface. The present invention also provides an optically functional element having an amount of change in refractive index of not less than 2.0×10?4/° C. The present invention further provides a production method for said thin film by sputtering under reduced pressure in an inert gas atmosphere containing 3-15% by volume of oxygen, and optical switch, temperature sensor and optical information recording medium using said element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-density optical disk having thin film layer made from a thermochromic polymer with a red-shift which exhibits self-focusing and optical bleaching. After an incident light beam passes through the polymer medium, not only can the spot size of the beam be reduced but also transmittance can be enhanced due to these kinds of third-order nonlinear optical response. Thus, a high-density disk structured according to the present invention is capable of the signal reproduction resolution beyond the diffraction limit with an efficient reflectivity. Accordingly, data recording density of a high-density disk can be improved greatly.

Abstract: Conjugated mono-, oligo- and polyalkylidenefluorenes are suitable for use as semiconductors or charge transport materials in optical, electrooptical or electronic devices including field effect transistors, electroluminescent, photovoltaic and sensor devices.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is described, based on a copolycarbonate which includes at least two structural units. Structure I is usually a conventional carbonate based on bisphenol A, while structure II is a bisphenol carbonate which includes branched or linear groups extending from a bridging carbon atom or carbon group which connects two aromatic rings. The compositions exhibit very good melt flow, along with enhanced shear-thinning behavior. These characteristics are important for optical disc applications. Thus, related articles are described, along with processes for preparing such articles.

Abstract: A base material for a lithographic printing plate comprising a support, a hydrophilic organic polymer compound that is chemically bonded to a surface of the support, and an ionic compound that is ionically bonded to the hydrophilic organic polymer compound; and a lithographic printing plate comprising the base material and an image forming layer provided thereon.

Abstract: There are provided a coating liquid for providing an infrared sensitive layer on a photosensitive resin surface, which is obtained by dissolving or dispersing in a specific ester solvent a binder polymer soluble in the solvent, an infrared absorbing substance and, if desired, a non-infrared opaque substance, and a process for obtaining a seamless photosensitive resin sleeve printing plate, which comprises using the same.

Abstract: A photosensitive polymer having hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions homogenously distributed therein and a resist composition comprising the photosensitive polymer.

Abstract: A method for controlling the production of formaldehyde resin compositions in which formaldehyde takes part in a reaction with one or a combination of co resin forming material (of the type phenol, urea, melamine) the method includes monitoring at least one of the formation of the reaction mixture and the course of the reaction by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and adjusting the course of the reaction (when necessary) in accordance with the results of the spectroscopy to obtain optimum conditions for the reaction.

Abstract: A radiographic phosphor panel exhibits provides increased photospeed and image sharpness in exposed radiographic films. This panel includes a phosphor layer that transmits actinic radiation in a range that is reflected by a transparent, polymeric multi-layer reflector used as part of a support. This polymeric multi-layer reflector exhibits a different level of reflectance of light depending upon the angle of light incidence that is greater than 0 and up to and including 90 degrees. On the opposing surface of the reflector is a light absorbing substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate comprising a support having thereon an undercoat layer and a heat-sensitive layer in this order, with at least one of the undercoat layer and the heat-sensitive layer comprising polymer hollow microspheres having voids on the inside, or a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate comprising a support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer, with the heat-sensitive layer comprising polymer hollow microspheres having voids on the inside.

Abstract: The present invention also includes an imageable element, comprising a substrate and a thermally imageable composition comprising a thermally sensitive polymer which exhibits an increased solubility in an aqueous developer solution upon heating. The thermally sensitive polymer includes at least one covalently bonded unit and at least one thermally reversible non-covalently bonded unit, which includes a two or more centered H-bond within each of the non-covalently bonded unit. The present invention also includes a method of producing the imaged element. The present invention still further includes a thermally imageable composition comprising comprising a thermally sensitive polymer according to the present invention and a process for preparing the thermally sensitive polymer, which is a supramolecular polymer.

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, has an imaging layer comprised of a thermally sensitive compound and a photothermal conversion material. The thermally sensitive compound comprises a heat-activatable aromatic cyclic sulfonium zwitterion group represented by the following Structure I: wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, X and Y are independently substituted or unsubstituted methylene groups, and n is 1 or 2. The thermally sensitive compound can be a polymer or a small molecule compound. In the imaging member, the thermally sensitive compound reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. The imaging layer is considered “switchable” and can be used to provide a lithographic printing image without traditional alkaline wet processing.

Abstract: A method of production of a multilayer optical recording medium capable of avoiding difficulties in separating a stamper and forming a semi-transparent film on a thin flexible film and a production method thereof, comprising steps of forming a first optical recording layer on a substrate formed with a pattern of irregularities for a first optical recording layer on a surface thereof, forming a transfer substrate comprised of an acrylic resin formed with a pattern of irregularities on a surface thereof, forming a second optical recording layer on the pattern of irregularities of the transfer substrate, adhering a flexible film at the upper portion of the second optical recording layer by an adhesive layer, separating the second optical recording layer and the transfer substrate at their boundary to transfer the second optical recording layer to the flexible film, and bonding together the first optical recording layer and the second optical recording layer with them facing each other.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: and compounds of the formulas: wherein R1 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R1 may form with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-20 ring structure or a C4-20 ring structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N or O; R2 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl, C120 hydrocarbyloxy, C1-20 thioether, C1-20 hydrocarbylcarbonyloxy or cyano; R3 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl substituted with di(C1-20 alkyl)amino, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy or C1-20 hydrocarbyl or tri(C1-10 alkyl)siloxy; a is independently in each occurrence 0 or 1; X is independently in each occurrence a halogen moiety; and Z is independently in each occurrence —B(OH)2, —B(OR4)2 or  wherein R4 is independently in each occurrence a C1-10

Abstract: A compound of the formula: and compounds of the formulas: wherein R1 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R1 may form with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-20 ring structure or a C4-20 ring structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N or O; R2 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy, C1-20 thioether, C1-20 hydrocarbylcarbonyloxy or cyano; R3 is independently in each occurrence C1-20 hydrocarbyl or C1-20 hydrocarbyl substituted with di(C1-20 alkyl)amino, C1-20 hydrocarbyloxy or C1-20 hydrocarbyl or tri(C1-10 alkyl)siloxy; a is independently in each occurrence 0 or 1; X is independently in each occurrence a halogen moiety; and Z is independently in each occurrence —B(OH)2, —B(OR4)2 or  wherein R4 is independently in each occurrence a C1-

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat sensitive imaging element comprising on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface an image forming layer including thermoplastic particles of a homopolymer or a copolymer of styrene and a hydrophilic polymer containing carboxyl groups, characterized in that said imaging element further contains an anionic IR-cyanine dye being present in said image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of transition metal complexes in photochromic devices, to the production of optical information storage devices based on a polymeric matrix and on metal oxides with adsorbed transition metal complexes, to the production of photochromic materials constituted by a film of metal oxide with adsorbed two different type of molecular systems, one acting as a charge transfer sensitizer and the second as an electron acceptor.

Abstract: This invention provides cycloaliphatic polyimide having the following formula (I): wherein 1 and n are integers from 4 to 7; m is an integer from 0 to 2; p is an integer from 1 to 8; polycyclic aliphatic compound R reprents C1-8 cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, norbornenyl, decalinyl, adamantanyl, or cubanyl. That cycloaliphatic polyimide can be a through transparent film, their thermal stability is over 430° C. and dielectric constant is about 2.7.

Abstract: The optical recording medium of this invention includes: a first substrate having a first information surface; a semitransparent reflection film formed on the first information surface of the first substrate; a second substrate having a second information surface; a reflection film formed on the second information surface of the second substrate; and an adhesive layer for adhering the first substrate and the second substrate-so that the first information surface and the second information surface face each other, wherein the thickness of the first substrate is 0.56 mm or more, the thickness of the adhesive layer is 30 &mgr;m or more, and the total thickness of the first substrate and the adhesive layer is 0.68 mm or less.

Abstract: A diarylethene compound of the following formula (1) wherein R1 is a hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-22 alkyl group, a fluoro group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenylalkyl group, R2 is a C1-22 alkylene group which may be unsubstituted or substituted with fluorine, R3 is a chemical bond, O, S, NR1, N(R2R1), or a C1-3 alkylene group which may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more oxygen atoms or fluorine atoms, X and Y independently of one another O, S, nitrogen, NR1, or N(R2R1), and Z is a carbonyl group or a methylene group which may be unsubstituted or substituted with fluorine.

Abstract: In an apparatus for fabricating a carbon coating, an object such as a magnetic recording 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 multicolor negative image capture film element comprises multiple silver halide emulsion layers that together exhibit a more gradually sloped density to exposure relationship than is customary while providing a combination of improved latitude and desirable overexposure printing density reduction.

Abstract: A rewritable phase change type optical recording medium having excellent in storage durability such as archival property and overwrite shelf property and is less likely to have increased jitters, lower contrast and bursting due to deterioration by repeated overwriting is disclosed. The optical recording medium comprises a first dielectric layer, a first boundary layer and a recording layer, in tis order, wherein the first boundary layer is in contact with the recording layer. The information in the optical recording medium can be recorded, erased and reproduced by irradiating the recording layer with light. The recording and erasure of information are affected by reversible phase change between amorphous phase and crystalline phase of the recording layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides new light absorbing compositions suitable for use as antireflective coating compositions (“ARCs”), including for deep UV applications. The antireflective compositions of the invention are particularly useful where a planarizing coating layer is required. ARCs of the invention contain a low molecular weight resin, a plasticizer compound and/or a low Tg resin. The invention also includes methods for applying forming planarizing ARC coating layers.

Abstract: An optical memory device comprising a luminous material capable of increasing and/or memorizing a photoluminescence intensity (hereinafter referred to as a “luminous intensity”) as a function of irradiation energy of excitation light. And the luminous material comprises nanoparticles, diameters of which are smaller than Bohr radius of the luminous material so that excitons generated in the nanoparticles undergo quantum containment state in which the electrons and holes are individually contained as a result of irradiation with excitation light.

Abstract: A phase change optical disk having a reflectance relation of Rc<Ra and is adapted such that high recording characteristic can be obtained starting at a first recording time even when a recording operation is carried out without conducting an initialization process. For this purpose, a multiple reflection layer (2), a first dielectric layer (3), a recording layer (4), a second dielectric layer (5), a reflecting layer (6) and an UV curable resin layer (7) are provided on a substrate (1). The recording layer (4) is deposited at a temperature of the substrate during the deposition of the recording layer set to a temperature which makes the recording layer into a stable amorphous conditions and which is lower than a crystallizing temperature of the recording layer. Thus, the recording layer (4) is deposited into a stable amorphous state.

Abstract: Light absorbing coating with high absorption capacity. This coating comprises at least one thin optically discontinuous metal layer (8), absorbent within a determined spectral range in the visible-near infrared range, and at least one dielectric layer (10) transparent within this range and formed on the thin layer. Application to imagery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of detection and visualization of an infrared laser beam using an optically transparent or opaque solid medium doped with at least one active chromophore dye molecule to provide conversion of infrared radiation to visible light by means of two or three-photon absorption followed by emission of a visible photon is provided. A method of verifying mode-lock in mode-locked infrared laser sources and measuring the temporal and spatial shape of ultra short laser pulses having pulse durations between a few femtoseconds and hundreds of picoseconds is also provided.

Abstract: A cavity surface-forming plate of a mold for injection-molding a plastic substrate is coarsely polished, and then a surface for defining a cavity is applied with electroless Ni—P plating. The surface of the plating is polished with abrasive grains to obtain surface roughness of Ra≦2.0 nm and Rmax≦22 nm. The plastic substrate molded with the mold has smoothness equivalent to the polished plating surface. A concave-convex pattern for forming pits may be formed on the cavity surface. A magnetic disk or an optical disk provided with the substrate makes it possible to realize the near contact system for a magnetic or magneto-optical head. Thus, it is possible to realize high density recording.

Abstract: A self-contained photohardenable imaging assembly comprising in order: a first transparent support; an imaging layer comprising a developer material and a plurality of photohardenable microcapsules encapsulating a color precursor, and a second support, wherein at least one support comprises a barrier layer that exhibits a low water vapor transmission rate. The imaging assembly has been found to provide better image quality and more consistence sensitometric response to pressure development.

Abstract: Composition and use of polymers in appropriate solvent(s) with or without addition of selected dye combinations are proposed for developing a thin-layer coating on the transparent layer of optical storage media such as audio and video CDs, laser discs (LD) and DVDs for improvement of the sound and/or video quality during either recording and/or playback of the encoded digital information. The invention can also be incorporated in manufacture of recordable (CD-R) and re-writeable CD (CD-RW) media. In that case, the proposed composition is applied on the polycarbonate transparent surface of optical storage media at the final stages of recordable media manufacturing.

Abstract: A phase change optical recording medium which enables optimum direct overwrite even under high speed high density conditions without degrading repetition durability or storage stability of recorded signals. To this end, the phase change optical recording medium has a recording layer formed at least of a phase change material and is recorded and/or reproduced with a laser light beam having a wavelength ranging between 380 nm and 420 nm. A ratio Ac/Aa, where Ac is the absorption rate of said recording layer in a crystalline state and Aa is the absorption rate of said recording layer in an amorphous state, is not less than 0.9, and a crystallization promoting layer promoting the crystallization of the phase change material is contacted with at least one surface of the recording layer.

Abstract: An information recording medium which is composed of a substrate and a recording layer formed thereon to record information by means of the change in atomic arrangement induced by irradiation with light, said recording layer having at least one interface layer laminated at its interface. It is superior in recording-reproducing-rewriting characteristics and archival life.

Abstract: An optical memory device and a method for manufacturing thereof. An optical memory device has at least one data layer formed on a substrate. An upper surface of the substrate is formed with a pattern comprising a plurality of regions which are capable of obtaining, when covered by a recording medium, desired optical properties different from those of the substrate. The patterned surface of the substrate is coated with the recording medium. The recording medium is removed from the patterned surface after the recording regions have obtained the desired optical properties.

Abstract: A protective layer is applied to the surface of a compact disc precursor that must be protected from dust during manufacture. The layer is removable and preferably made of ethylene vinyl acetate.

Abstract: An optical recording medium incorporating a supporting body; a recording portion which is formed on either main surface of the supporting body and on which a signal is recorded; and a light permeable layer formed on the recording portion, wherein light is applied from a position adjacent to the light permeable layer to record/reproduce a signal, and carboxylic acid amine salt expressed by general formula (1) and/or general formula (2) is held on the surface which is irradiated with light where n is an integer from 1 to 3, each of R1 and R2 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, R3 is a hydrocarbon group and Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having three or more carbon atoms, where at least either of R1 and R2 is perfluoroalkyl group having three or more carbon atoms, at least any one of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is hydrocarbon group having 12 or more carbon atoms and the rest of them are hydrogen or hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: An optical recording layer of an optical recording medium comprises a dye material represented by the formula (I), wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group, R2 and R3 each is, independent from each other, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C12 alkyl group, A⊖ is an anion selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, ClO4⊖, BF4⊖, PF6⊖, SbF6⊖, CF3SO2⊖, C2F5SO3⊖, CF3COO⊖, and CH3C6H4SO3⊖, X is hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, nitro, or fused benzene, Y is hydrogen, alkoxy, halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkylamine, arylamine, alkylamide, arylamide, alkylsulfonyl, aryl sulfonyl, alkoxysulfonyl, aryloxysulfonyl, nitro, or cyano groups.

Abstract: A high-density optical disk includes reflective layers respectively formed at both information-recorded surfaces of a first substrate, and semitransparent layers respectively formed at one information-recorded surface of each of second and third substrates. The second and third substrates are respectively bonded at both sides of the first substrate.