Abstract: A process for melting/sintering powder particles for layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects is performed by a) applying a layer of a powder material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation, b) heating the powder material to not more than 10 K below the melting point according to DIN 53765 by a radiation from a heat-radiating element whose maximum radiation intensity is at a wavelength of 5000 nm or at longer wavelengths, c) selective melting/sintering of at least a region of the powder material which corresponds to the cross section of the three-dimensional object, d) repeating steps a) to c) until the three-dimensional object is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plastic molded bodies having two-dimensional or three-dimensional image structures produced in the interior through laser subsurface engraving. The plastic molded bodies are made of plastic materials which have a content of nanoscale metal oxides having particle sizes from 1 to 500 nm, both the plastic material and also the included metal oxide being transparent to the laser light used for producing the image structures. The plastic materials from which the molded bodies are manufactured particularly contain metal oxides having particle sizes from 5 to 100 nm at a content of 0.0001 to 0.1 weight-percent. Typical metal oxides are nanoscale indium-tin oxide or antimony-tin oxide.

Abstract: A photo-stimulable phosphor imaging plate includes a substrate layer for providing structural support. A photo-stimulable layer is provided over the substrate layer. The photo-stimulable layer is effective to carry a latent x-ray image. A thick protective layer of a thickness and rigidity effective to protect the photo-stimulable layer from physical damage when being handled is provided over the photo-stimulable layer. The thick protective layer may further be variously transparent, reflecting, or absorbent, at different wavelengths, so to provide a degree of protection against fading of the latent image caused by inadvertent exposure to ambient light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plastic molded bodies having two-dimensional or three-dimensional image structures produced in the interior through laser subsurface engraving. The plastic molded bodies are made of plastic materials which have a content of nanoscale metal oxides having particle sizes from 1 to 500 nm, both the plastic material and also the included metal oxide being transparent to the laser light used for producing the image structures. The plastic materials from which the molded bodies are manufactured particularly contain metal oxides having particle sizes from 5 to 100 nm at a content of 0.0001 to 0.1 weight-percent. Typical metal oxides are nanoscale indium-tin oxide or antimony-tin oxide.