Abstract: A process for making a microlens array or a microlens array masterform comprises (a) providing a photoreactive composition, the photoreactive composition comprising (1) at least one reactive species that is capable of undergoing an acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction, and (2) at least one multiphoton photoinitiator system; and (b) imagewise exposing at least a portion of the composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light, the imagewise exposing being carried out in a pattern that is effective to define at least the surface of a plurality of microlenses, each of the microlenses having a principal axis and a focal length, and at least one of the microlenses being an aspherical microlens.

Abstract: A sheeting includes a layer of a shape-memory polymer material having a surface of microlenses, wherein each of the microlenses is associated with one of a plurality of images within the sheeting. The layer of the shape-memory polymer material is responsive to an external stimulus; e.g., temperature, solvent, or moisture; by transitioning from a first state in which an optical property of the microlenses has a first value to a second state in which the optical property of the microlenses has a second value. The microlenses have refractive surfaces that transmit light to positions within the sheeting to produce a composite image from the images formed within the sheeting when the layer of the shape-memory polymer material is in one of the first state and the second state. At least one of the images is a partially complete image, and each of the images is associated with a different one of the microlenses.

Abstract: A process for making a microlens array or a microlens array masterform comprises (a) providing a photoreactive composition, the photoreactive composition comprising (1) at least one reactive species that is capable of undergoing an acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction, and (2) at least one multiphoton photoinitiator system; and (b) imagewise exposing at least a portion of the composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light, the imagewise exposing being carried out in a pattern that is effective to define at least the surface of a plurality of microlenses, each of the microlenses having a principal axis and a focal length, and at least one of the microlenses being an aspherical microlens.

Abstract: A method for forming a color shifting film on a support, the film comprising a reflective stack disposed adjacent to the support and an image is disclosed. The reflective stack comprises an at least partially transparent spacer layer comprising a substituted acrylamide polymer disposed between a partially reflective first layer and a reflective second layer. The acrylamide layer has a thickness sufficient to produce an interference color.

Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.

Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.

Abstract: A sheeting includes a layer of a shape-memory polymer material having a surface of microlenses, wherein each of the microlenses is associated with one of a plurality of images within the sheeting. The layer of the shape-memory polymer material is responsive to an external stimulus; e.g., temperature, solvent, or moisture; by transitioning from a first state in which an optical property of the microlenses has a first value to a second state in which the optical property of the microlenses has a second value. The microlenses have refractive surfaces that transmit light to positions within the sheeting to produce a composite image from the images formed within the sheeting when the layer of the shape-memory polymer material is in one of the first state and the second state. At least one of the images is a partially complete image, and each of the images is associated with a different one of the microlenses.

Abstract: Described is a polymerization method comprising: providing a substrate; coating at least a portion of said substrate with a polymerizable composition; providing an electron beam that is capable of producing pulses of accelerated electrons; and irradiating said polymerizable composition with said pulses of accelerated electrons to polymerize said polymerizable composition. Under certain conditions, the polymerization takes place heterogeneously.

Abstract: A composite including a polymeric film having a first generally planar major surface and an opposite second major surface defined by a multiplicity of elongate parallel contiguous ridge portions. The ridge portions each have a generally triangular cross section and elongate obscured and transmitting second major surface portions intersecting at the apex of the ridge with the obscured second major surface portion being on the side of the ridge generally facing a first end of the sheet and the transmitting second major surface portions being on the side of the ridge portions adjacent a second end of the sheet.

Abstract: A composite including a polymeric film having a first generally planar major surface and an opposite second major surface defined by a multiplicity of elongate parallel contiguous ridge portions. The ridge portions each have a generally triangular cross section and elongate obscured and transmitting second major surface portions intersecting at the apex of the ridge with the obscured second major surface portion being on the side of the ridge generally facing a first end of the sheet and the transmitting second major surface portions being on the side of the ridge portions adjacent a second end of the sheet.

Abstract: A maskless process generates a patterned coating on a polymeric substrate, wherein the pattern is at least partially defined by the substrate topography. The process uses a high intensity/high fluence energy source to strike a coated substrate, thus selectively removing a portion of the coating. The amount and area of the coating removed is dependent on the substrate topography and the applied energy, and this forms a pattern of residual coating material on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of creating a shaped image in a workpiece using a flashlamp, the method comprising positioning a template proximate the workpiece and directing radiation emitted by the flashlamp during a short pulse of less than approximately 100 .mu.sec through the template toward the workpiece.

Abstract: A system for prolonging the useful life of a mask while ablating a pattern into a workpiece. The system includes a workpiece, a debris-blocking layer thereon, a laser directed toward the workpiece, and a mask provided between the laser and debris-blocking layer. The workpiece may be a data storage disk comprising a substrate and a magnetic coating thereon. The laser may be an ultraviolet laser and the debris-blocking layer should be transparent to the light emitted by the laser. The pattern may include concentric or spiral optical servo tracks in the magnetic coating. The debris-blocking layer minimizes degradation of the mask, thereby minimizing the need to clean the mask and prolonging the useful life of the mask.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of creating a shaped image in a workpiece using a high energy source, with the method comprising positioning a layer proximate the workpiece such that the layer prevents debris from the workpiece from dispersing, and directing radiation from the high energy source through the layer to the workpiece, the layer substantially transparent to radiation emitted by the high energy source such that the high energy source is capable of forming the shaped image.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface modification process which provides a means of rapidly heating a thin layer of a polymer surface or a thin coating of material on a coated substrate and various surfaces produced by such a process.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface modification process which provides a means of rapidly heating a thin layer of a polymer surface or a thin coating of material on a coated substrate and various surfaces produced by such a process.

Abstract: A surface modification process which provides a means of rapidly heating a thin layer of a polymer surface or a thin coating of material on a coated substrate and various surfaces produced by such a process.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface modification process which provides a means of rapidly heating a thin layer of a polymer surface or a thin coating of material on a coated substrate and various surfaces produced by such a process.

Abstract: A described photo-sensitive system and process is useful as negative single layer photoresists with high resolution, high contrast, high sensitivity, long shelf life, and insensitivity to ambient light and allows large flexibility in the choice of polymer to be used.

Abstract: Semicrystalline polymers can have predetermined amounts of their surfaces rendered quasi-amorphous by irradiation. Polymer surfaces which are so modified can display enhanced heat sealability to accept bonding to other materials.