Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has first and second forms, the first form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the second form. The superacid precursor is not capable, in the absence of the first form of the sensitizing dye, of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of thermal decomposition, catalyzed by superacid, to form a secondary acid. While at least part of the sensitizing dye is in its first form, the medium is imagewise exposed to radiation in the first wavelength range, thereby causing, in the exposed areas of the acid-generating layer, the formation of superacid.

Abstract: A process for producing and fixing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizer and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizer can absorb radiation of a sensitizer wavelength which does not, in the absence of the sensitizer, cause decomposition of the superacid precursor to form the corresponding superacid. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by the first acid to form a second acid, and the image dye undergoes a color change upon contact with the second acid. The medium is imagewise exposed to radiation of the sensitizer wavelength, thereby causing the sensitizer, in exposed areas, to decompose superacid precursor with formation of the fist acid. The medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed areas, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the second acid.

Abstract: A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has first and second forms, the first form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the second form. The superacid precursor is capable of being decomposed to produce superacid by radiation in a second wavelength range, but is not, in the absence of the sensitizing dye, capable of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by unbuffered superacid to form a secondary acid.

Abstract: A process for producing and fixing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizer and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizer can absorb radiation of a sensitizer wavelength which does not, in the absence of the sensitizer, cause decomposition of the superacid precursor to form the corresponding superacid. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by the first acid to form a secondary acid, and the image dye undergoes a color change upon contact with the secondary acid. The medium is imagewise exposed to radiation of the sensitizer wavelength, thereby causing the sensitizer, in exposed areas, to decompose superacid precursor with formation of the fist acid. The medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed areas, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.

Abstract: A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has a unprotonated form and a protonated form, the protonated form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the unprotonated form. The superacid precursor is capable of being decomposed to produce superacid by radiation in a second wavelength range, but is not, in the absence of the sensitizing dye, capable of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by unbuffered superacid to form a second acid.

Abstract: An infra-red sensitive acid-generating medium comprises a binder, an iodonium salt; and a squarylium dye capable of absorbing infra-red radiation having a wavelength within the range of about 700 to about 1200 nm, the dye having a squarylium ring the 1- and 3-positions of which are each connected, via a single sp.sup.2 carbon atom, to a pyrylium, thiopyrylium, benzpyrylium or benzthiopyrylium nucleus, at least one of the sp.sup.2 carbon atoms having a hydrogen atom attached thereto, and the 2-position of the squarylium ring bearing an O.sup.-, amino or substituted amino, or sulfonamido group.

Abstract: The addition, to a thermal imaging medium comprising a color-forming compound which undergoes a change of color upon heating above a color-forming temperature for a color-forming time, the color-forming compound being of the cyclic sulfonamide type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,720,449 and 4,960,901, of a quinone or hydroquinone increases the sensitivity of the imaging medium and helps to prevent fading of images produced therefrom while the images are being projected.