Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element for reductive laser-imaging comprising a support having thereon an imaging layer comprising:a) a reducible Co(III) ammine complex,b) a source of phthalaldehyde, andc) a reducing agent,the imaging layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith in the amount of about 0.001 to about 0.5 g/m.sup.2 of element.

Abstract: A laser dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising two or more image dyes dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the image dyes comprise curcumin yellow dye and a 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone dye.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate that has an imaging layer that comprises an admixture of (1) a resole resin, (2) a novolac resin, (3) a latent Bronsted acid and (4) an infrared absorber; that is sensitive to both ultraviolet and infrared radiation; and that is capable of functioning in either a positive-working or negative-working manner is imagewise exposed with a laser diode that emits a high-intensity infrared laser beam which provides enhanced image sharpness.

Abstract: Continuous tone black and white images are duplicated using laser thermal digital halftone printing. A continuous tone black and white image signal is provided by a source such as a medical imaging source. The image signal is screened with a digital halftone screen, such that each pixel of said image signal is represented by a predetermined matrix of micropixels, whereby to produce a digital halftone image signal corresponding to the continuous tone black and white image signal. A master is created by printing the digital halftone image onto a dye ablated medium by means of laser thermal recording. A duplicate of the master is produced by contact printing onto a duplicating medium.

Abstract: A process of forming a single color, dye ablation image having an improved D-min comprising imagewise heating by means of a laser, a dye-ablative recording element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder and an infrared-absorbing material, the laser exposure taking place through the dye side of the element, and removing the ablated image dye material to obtain an image in the dye-ablative recording element, and wherein the element contains an interlayer containing infrared-absorbing material and which is located between the support and the dye layer.

Abstract: A migration imaging system using a laser-addressable thermoplastic imaging member 10. The imaging member 10 comprises a supporting section 15 and a thermoplastic imaging surface layer 14. A charged, uniform layer of marking particles 24 is deposited on the imaging surface layer 14. An imagewise-modulated laser beam 24 transforms selected volumes of the imaging surface layer 14 in an imagewise pattern to a permeable state. Charged marking particles 42 that overlay a transformed volume then migrate into the imaging surface layer 14, due to an electrostatic attraction to the imaging member 10, so as to be retained. Unaddressed marking particles 56 are cleaned away by particle removing device 20B comprised of a magnetic brush utilizing hard magnetic carrier particles. The imaging member 10, or solely the imaging surface layer 14, may be transferred and bonded to a receiver member such as a drum for use as an exposure mask in a xeroprinting process, or to a receiver sheet 64 to provide a hard copy reproduction.

Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed which is adapted to form an image on a thermal print medium of a type in which a donor element transfers dye to a receiver element upon receipt of a sufficient amount of thermal energy. The printer includes a plurality of diode lasers which can be individually modulated to supply energy to selected dots on the medium in accordance with an information signal. In order to increase the efficiency and versatility of the printer, the print head of the printer includes a fiber optic array having a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the diode lasers. The thermal Print medium is supported on a rotatable drum, and the fiber optic array is movable relative to the drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermal dye transfer assemblage comprising:a) a dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared absorbing material associated therewith, andb) a dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a dye image-receiving layer having a given image area, the dye-receiving element being in a superposed relationship with the dye-donor element so that the dye layer is adjacent to the dye image-receiving layer,the improvement wherein spacer rails having a height of about 3 to about 50 .mu.

Abstract: An imaging system having a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image. A focusing system is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element, The apparatus includes a material supply to automatically supply donor sheets and receiver sheets independently to a writing platen or drum, and to selectively load and unload the donor sheets from superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver sheet.

Abstract: A donor element for laser color transfer processes includes a heat absorbing layer including a combination of a metal layer with an antireflecting layer having an index of refraction greater than 2. The heat absorbing layer may include a metal or an alloy either in single or multiple layers having a thickness sufficient to yield a heat capacity of less than 0.2 calories per degree Centigrade per square meter and an optical density at the laser wavelength of 1.0 or greater.

Abstract: A dye-receiving element for thermal dye transfer suitable for forming a slide for projection viewing comprising a polymeric central dye image-receiving section and an integral polymeric frame section extending around the periphery of the central dye image-receiving section, the frame section being from about 1/2 to about 3 mm thick and the central dye image-receiving section preferably being thinner than the frame section. Such integral receiver-frames do not require post-imaging framing and mounting assembly operations in order to be viewable in slide projectors, and are particularly advantageously used in laser thermal dye transfer systems.

Abstract: A migration imaging system using a laser-addressable thermoplastic imaging member. The imaging member comprises a supporting section and a thermoplastic imaging surface layer. A charged, uniform layer of marking particles is deposited on the imaging surface layer. An imagewise-modulated laser beam transforms selected volumes of the imaging surface layer in an imagewise pattern to a permeable state. Charged marking particles that superpose a transformed volume then migrate into the imaging surface layer so as to be retained. Unaddressed marking particles are cleaned away. The imaging member, or solely the imaging surface layer, may be transferred and bonded to a receiver such as a drum for use as an exposure mask, or to a receiver sheet to provide a hard copy reproduction. The processed imaging member is usable as a master in a xeroprinting system.

Abstract: A dye-receiving element for thermal dye transfer suitable for forming a focussing tool comprising a polymeric central dye image-receiving section having a substantially planar image receiving surface and a relatively thicker integral polymeric frame section extending around the periphery of said central section, said image receiving surface being formed at an inclined angle relative to the frame section. The invention further includes a process of forming an imaged focussing tool by the steps of a) imagewise-heating a dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer, and b) transferring portions of the dye layer in a pattern corresponding to a desired focussing image to a dye-receiving element as described above, and imaged focussing tools obtained by such a process.

Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed which is adapted to form an image on a thermal print medium of a type in which a donor element transfers dye to a receiver element upon receipt of a sufficient amount of thermal energy. The printer includes a plurality of diode lasers which can be individually modulated to supply energy to selected dots on the medium in accordance with an information signal. In order to increase the efficiency and versatility of the printer, the print head of the printer includes a fiber optic array having a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the diode lasers. The thermal print medium is supported on a rotatable drum, and the fiber optic array is movable relative to the drum.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a direct digital, halftone color proof of an original image on a dye-receiving element, the proof being used to represent a printed color image obtained from a printing press, comprising:a) generating a set of electrical signals which is representative of the shape and color scale of an original image;b) contacting a dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material with a first dye-receiving element comprising a support having thereon a polymeric, dye image-receiving layer;c) using the signals to imagewise-heat by means of a diode laser the dye-donor element, thereby transferring a dye image to the first dye-receiving element; andd) retransferring the dye image to a second dye image-receiving element which has the same substrate as the printed color image.

Abstract: A process for forming a color image which may be used to represent a printed color image to be obtained from a printing press comprising (a) forming a thermal dye transfer image in a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element by imagewise-heating a dye-donor element and transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, (b) applying a dye-migration barrier layer to one surface of a paper substrate, and (c) transferring the imaged polymeric dye image-receiving layer to the surface of the paper having the dye-migration barrier layer applied thereon. By first applying a dye-migration barrier layer to the paper substrate, dye smear and spreading due to migration of dye into the paper can be eliminated and a high quality final color image can be obtained.

Abstract: A dye-donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a polymeric binder, an image dye and an infrared-absorbing material which is different from the image dye in the dye layer, and wherein the infrared-absorbing material is a nickel-dithioene dye complex which is located coextensively with the image dye in the dye layer, the dye complex having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: each R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to about 0 carbon atoms or one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, but not both simultaneously, represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or hetaryl group having from about 5 to about 10 atoms; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.

Abstract: A dye-donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material which is different from the dye in the dye layer, and wherein the infrared-absorbing material is an oxonol dye. In a preferred embodiment, the oxonol dye has the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, sulfonyl, acyl, acylamido, alkylamino, arylamino or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group; or any two of said R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 groups may be joined together to complete a 5- to 7-membered substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; or either R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 may be joined to R.sup.4 or R.sup.6 to complete a 5- to 7-membered substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; or R.sup.2 or R.sup.3 may be joined to R.sup.5 or R.sup.

Abstract: A dye-donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material which is different from the dye in the dye layer, and wherein the infrared-absorbing material is a trinuclear cyanine dye. In a preferred embodiment, the trinuclear cyanine dye has the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms or an aryl or hetaryl group having from about 5 to about 10 atoms;R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, sulfonyl, carbamoyl, acyl, acylamido, alkylamino, arylamino or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group;or any of said R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 groups may be combined with R.sup.1, R.sup.2 or R.sup.

Abstract: A dye-donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material which is different from the dye in the dye layer, and wherein the infrared-absorbing material is an indene-bridged-polymethine dye. In a preferred embodiment, the indene-bridged-polymethine dye has the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms or an aryl or hetaryl group having from about 5 to about 10 atoms; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, sulfonyl, carbamoyl, acyl, acylamido, alkylamino, arylamino or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryly group; or any two of said R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.