Abstract: An optical recording material for binary, multibit or volume data storage is described. The optical recording material comprises: (a) at least one dyestuff selected from polymeric azo dyestuffs and oligomeric azo dyestuffs, the dyestuff changing its spatial arrangement upon irradiation with polarized electromagnetic radiation; and (b) optionally at least one grouping having form anisotropy.

Abstract: Asymmetrical compounds composed of two different heterocyclic and/or carbocyclic rings linked via a conjugated chain containing an uneven number of chain atoms are useful electrochromic compounds and can be used for producing electrochromic devices.

Abstract: The invention describes an electrochromic display element in the form of an electrically dimmable mirror, an optical filter having an electrically alterable transparency or a display element which contains an electrochromic liquid between two electrode sheets, where at least one of the electrode sheets is transparent and has a transparent, electrically conductive layer and the transparent electrode sheet has a pattern of strips or grid made of a material having metallic conductivity in order to produce a uniform coloration of the electrochromic liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrochromic fluids based on electrochromic systems containing at least one oxidizable substance RED1 and at least one reducible substance OX2 linked covalently by a bridge that are suitable for use in electrochromic devices.

Abstract: Optical data carrier comprising a preferably transparent substrate which may, if desired, have previously been coated with one or more reflection layers and to whose surface a light-writeable information layer, if desired one or more reflection layers and if desired a protective layer or a further substrate or a covering layer have been applied, which can be written on and read by means of infrared light, preferably laser light, particularly preferably light having a wavelength in the range 750-800 nm, in particular 770-790 nm, where the information layer comprises a light-absorbent compound and, if desired, a binder, characterized in that at least one cobalt(III) phthalocyanine in which the Co metal centre bears two axial substituents R1 and R2 which represent, independently of one another, CN, SCN, alkoxy or alkylthio is used as light-absorbent compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating light signals, in particular traffic lights. The device according to the invention contains a housing with at least one opening, which is closed by a plate, the absorption of which can be controlled electrically, there being located in the interior of the housing behind the opening a diffuser element, which reflects incident light through the plate. Preferred switched states of the plate are either black (absorption over the entire spectral region of visible light) and colored transparent (slight absorption in specific spectral regions) or transparent (no absorption over the entire spectral region of visible light). The device according to the invention is used to generate light signals by virtue of the fact that the ambient light strikes the plate and, depending on switched state, is absorbed entirely, partially or not at all by the plate.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium containing a preferably transparent substrate which has optionally already been coated with one or more reflecting layers and onto the surface of which a photorecordable information layer, optionally one or more reflecting layers, and optionally a protective layer or an additional substrate or a top layer are applied, which data storage medium can be recorded on and read using blue or red light, preferably laser light, wherein the information layer contains a light-absorbing compound and optionally a binder, characterized in that at least one diaza hemicyanine dye is used as the light-absorbing compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a singly recordable optical data medium using Co-phthalocyanine complexes of the formula (I) in which the groups are defined herein, as light-absorbing compounds in the information layer of optical data media, in which information layer is recordable using light, particularly for CD-R, and the application of the above-mentioned compounds to a polymer substrate, particularly polycarbonate, by spin coating.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising a pair of glass or plastic plates or plastic films of which at least one plate or film, preferably both plates or films, are provided on in each case one side with an electrically conductive coating, of which at least one plate or film and its conductive coating are transparent, of which the other may be mirrored, and of which in the case of at least one of the two plates or films the electrically conductive layer can be divided into separate, individually contacted area segments, where the plates or films are joined together via a sealing ring on the sides of their conductive coating, and the volume formed by the two plates or films and the sealing ring is filled with an electrochromic medium which comprises at least one reducible electrochromic substance OX2 and at least one oxidizable electrochromic substance RED1, characterized in that one OX2 corresponds to the formula 1

Abstract: An optical data storage medium containing a preferably transparent substrate which has optionally already been coated with one or more reflecting layers and onto the surface of which a photorecordable information layer, optionally one or more reflecting layers, and optionally a protective layer or an additional substrate or a top layer are applied, which data storage medium can be recorded on and read using blue or red light, preferably laser light, wherein the information layer contains a light-absorbing compound and optionally a binder, characterized in that at least one triazacyanine dye is used as the light-absorbing compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to copolymers for optical data storage.

Abstract: Electrochromic display device comprising a pair of glass or plastic plates or plastic films of which at least one plate or film or both plates or films is/are provided on one side each with an electrically conducting coating. At least one plate or film and its conductive coating is transparent. On at least one of the two plates or films, the electrically conductive layer is divided into separate segments which are individually connected to a power source and each has an electric lead from the edge of the device. The plates or films are joined via a sealing ring on the sides on which they are conductively coated. The volume formed by the two plates or films and the sealing ring is filled with an electrochromic medium. The electric leads to the segments are electrically insulated from the electrochromic medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to block copolymers for optical data storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a write-once optical data carrier in which organic and/or inorganic light-absorbing compounds are used as the information layer, especially for high-density optical data carriers which function with a blue laser in the wavelength range of 360-460 nm. The invention also relates to the application of the above-mentioned light-absorbing compound to a suitable substrate (especially polycarbonate), e.g. by spin coating.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical method which permits, with the aid of 6 simple measurements, a conclusion regarding the suitability of antennas (groups which can absorb electromagnetic radiation) for incorporation into photoaddressable polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light-protected electrochromic device containing a pair of glass or plastic sheets or plastic films. One side of at least one of said sheets or films, preferably both sheets or films, is provided with an electroconductive coating. At least one of said sheets or films and its electroconductive coating are transparent and the other can be metallized. The electroconductive coating of at least one of the two sheets or films can be divided up into separate, individually contacted surface segments. The sheets or films are joined by a sealing ring on the sides of their electroconductive coatings and the volume created by the sheets or films and the sealing ring is filled with an electrochromic medium. The invention is characterized in that the electrochromic device contains a yellow filter for which the wavelength at which absorbance in the long-wave flank reaches half of the very long-wave maximum absorbance value is between 370 and 500 nm, preferably between 380 and 470 nm.

Abstract: Asymmetrical compounds composed of two different heterocyclic and/or carbocyclic rings linked via a conjugated chain containing an uneven number of chain atoms are useful electrochromic compounds and can be used for producing electrochromic devices.

Abstract: Polymeric material suitable for the preparation of optical recording media for binary and/or multibit and/or volume data storage is disclosed. The molecular structure of the material contains a main chain and side chains.

Abstract: Optical data medium containing a preferably transparent substrate which is optionally already coated with one or more barrier layers and on the surface of which an information layer which can be recorded on using light, optionally one or more barrier layers, and a cover layer, have been applied, which data medium can be recorded on and read using focused blue light through the cover layer on the information layer, preferably laser light with the wavelength between 360 nm and 460 nm, the information layer containing a light-absorbing compound and optionally a binder, characterized in that at least one dye is used as the light-absorbing compound wherein the cover layer on the top of the information layer including the adhesive layer do have a total thickness of 10 &mgr;m to 177 &mgr;m and the numerical aperture NA of the focusing objective lens setup is greater or equal 0.8.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochromic contrast plate which is either arranged as a discrete unit in front of the screen or is connected to the outer surface of the screen through a common sheet, consisting of a pair of transparent glass or plastic sheets which are provided, on one side each, with an electroconductive, transparent coating, and which are joined together on the sides of their conductive coating via a sealing ring, and in which the volume formed by the two sheets and the sealing ring is filled with an electrochromic medium, characterized in that the electrochromic medium is a liquid, a gel or a polymer.