Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article comprising: a binder component, a polymerizable component; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator that causes the polymerizable component to form a polymer or co-polymer when a portion of the polymerizable component is exposed to a light source. The present invention also provides a method for making such an article, and a method and a system for holographically recording a spatial light distribution to such an article. The present invention also provides an article comprising: a binder component and a photoactive component, a method of making such an article, a method of recording to such an article and a system for recording to such an article.

Abstract: Described are holographic storage mediums and method of making holographic storage mediums. The holographic storage mediums may have write components that bind to the matrix to form a pattern in the media. The holographic storage mediums may also be rewriteable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.

Abstract: A holographic recording medium having a polymer matrix comprising a developer, wherein the holographic recording medium is capable of recording a latent hologram and the developer is capable of developing the latent hologram into a readable hologram by activation of the developer is disclosed. The holographic recording medium is capable of storing large numbers of holograms in the same volume with better signal resolution than previous holographic media by first recording a multitude of latent (or very weak) holograms in the same volume of space, then applying preferably a non-chemical fixing step to develop the latent holograms into readable holograms. The holographic recording medium and method of this invention cause the holograms to increase in diffraction efficiency, thus preventing complications caused during recording of holograms whereby previously recorded holograms interfere with latter recorded holograms in the same volume of space within the media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising at least one a photoactive index-contrasting polymerizable material, wherein the photoactive polymerizable material comprises at least one reactive functional group and at least one index-contrasting group, and wherein the photoactive polymerizable material includes one or more of the following parameters: (1) a distance between at least one reactive group and at least one index-contrasting group which is at least to the average radius of the index-contrasting group; (2) two or more reactive groups per photoactive polymerizable materials; (3) an index-contrasting group having a strong chromophore absorption at a wavelength shorter than the recording wavelength, and (4) the photoactive polymerizable material comprises a reactive nanoparticle. The photoactive polymerizable material may be used to prepare an article by, for example, dispersion thereof in a support matrix, which may be used, for example, to record holograms.

Abstract: Disclosed are mesophasic optical articles, methods of making mesophasic articles and methods of using mesophasic articles. In particular, this invention relates to mesophasic optical articles that can be prepared in situ with out the need of calcination, sintering, solvent evaporation, or other common method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article comprising: a pair of substrates comprising a thermoplastic; a holographic recording medium positioned between the substrates such that the holographic recording medium has at least one exposed area; and an environmental barrier seal protecting the at least one exposed area from environmental degradants; wherein the environmental barrier seal comprises: an inner layer adhered to at least one of the substrates and comprising a thermally meltable adhesive; an outer layer comprising a moisture impervious plastic; and an intermediate layer positioned between the inner and outer layers and comprising an moisture and oxygen impervious metallic foil. The present invention also provides a process for forming such an article.

Abstract: Holographic media having a photoactive ingredient, such as a photoactive dye, that produces reactive species that directly or indirectly react with oxygen and other inhibitors present in the media to protect the media before recording are disclosed. Methods for holographic media protection and inhibitor and oxygen removal are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wick clip assembly for candles to be used on a supporting surface, as well as a method for making such assemblies, and candles incorporating the same. According to one embodiment, a wick receiving member is disposed adjacent to the top of a base. A generally open skirt extends downwardly from the base, and is adapted to maintain the base in a predetermined spaced relationship relative to a supporting surface in use. The bottom end of a wick penetrates the base and is securely attached to the wick clip assembly by the wick receiving member such that its bottom end is located above the supporting surface in use. The clip provides enhanced control over heat transfer from the flame to the supporting surface, while optimizing performance of the candle.

Abstract: A system for applying a predetermined proof load to a control cable and measuring the resultant cable length thereof includes a motor (32) which, under the control of a controller (14) drives an actuator (28) which, in turn, controllably displaces an end fixture (26). The exact distance moved by the end fixture (26) is monitored by an encoder (34) and a load cell (27) monitors actual loading on a cable under test. A home position sensor (30) provides input to the controller (14) to indicate whether or not the end fixture (26) is homed to its reference position. During cable testing, the fixed end of the cable is fixedly attached to a predetermined position in a channel (20). The free end of the cable is then attached to the end fixture (26). The controller (14) actuates the motor (32) to thereby provide a predetermined proof load profile to the cable under test. At the end of the proof loading test, the controller (14) determines, via the encoder (34), the distance L.sub.

Abstract: The present invention includes a wick holder, whereby the upper portion of the ferrule is "S" crimped, without piercing the ferrule, to reduce the flow of fuel upward through the ferrule. The bottom of the base, on the opposite side of the cylindrical ferrule, is completely sealed off by a hot-melt adhesive, thereby preventing fuel from traveling up the hollow ferrule. By reducing the flow of fuel within the present wick holder, the wick holder restricts the supply of fuel to the candle wick when the flame burns the candle wick down to the top of the wick holder ferrule. By restricting the supply of fuel to the wick, the candle flame, upon burning down to the top of the wick holder, self-extinguishes before allowing the flame to approach the surface of the glass candle holder.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus that comprises a floatable combustion device which rests atop the surface of a mass of fuel such as solid paraffin or a quantity of liquid fuel such as liquid paraffin or vegetable oil contained within a fuel vessel. The combustion device has a substantially conical top member and a bottom ballast member each fabricated of a thermally conductive material that serve to both melt solid fuel and heat the liquid fuel being supplied to the flame with an interior wick. Supporting this wick is a conical buoyant member that allows the device to float when positioned in liquid fuel or in melted solid fuel.