Abstract: This invention relates to a single-sheet process for obtaining a multicolor image comprising:a) coating a support with a polymeric adhesion layer;b) coating the adhesion layer with a single dye layer comprising a mixture of at least two different colors of solid, homogeneous beads, each of which contains an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each color being sensitized to a different wavelength;c) exposing the element to laser light at the wavelength to which each type of bead is sensitized, causing the exposed beads to melt and become adhered to the polymeric adhesion layer; andd) removing any unadhered beads.

Abstract: A laser recording element comprising a base having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the dye layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, the base comprising a composite film laminated to at least one side of a support, the dye layer being on the composite film side of the base, and the composite film comprising a microvoided thermoplastic core layer and at least one substantially void-free thermoplastic surface layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element for reductive laser-imaging comprising a support having thereon an imaging layer comprising:a) a reducible Co(III) ammine complex,b) a source of phthalaldehyde, andc) a reducing agent,the imaging layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith in the amount of about 0.001 to about 0.5 g/m.sup.2 of element, and wherein the imaging element has a Lewis acid-containing overcoat layer thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element for reductive laser-imaging comprising a support having thereon an imaging layer comprising:a) a reducible Co(III) ammine complex,b) a source of phthalaldehyde, andc) a reducing agent,the imaging layer having an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith in the amount of about 0.001 to about 0.5 g/m.sup.2 of element.

Abstract: A process and apparatus in which a thermal dye is not carried by a donor element or sheet, but is provided in liquid form to a reservoir which supplies the dye to the surface of a donor roller. The dye is transferred to a transparent receiver sheet which is in close proximity to the roller surface, by exposure of the dye to an information-bearing radiation beam which is projected through the receiver member. Such a process and apparatus eliminates the need for a separate dye-donor element, and results in a lower cost process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a monocolor dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising solid, homogeneous beads which contain an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, said beads being dispersed in a vehicle.

Abstract: A thermal dye transfer process, and intermediate receiver used therein, for obtaining a color image which is used to represent a printed color image obtained from a printing press comprising (a) imagewise-heating by means of a laser a dye-donor element in contact with a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element, thereby transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, the intermediate dye-receiving element comprising the dye image-receiving layer and a layer substantially opaque to light at the wavelength the laser is operated at, (b) adhering the dyed polymeric dye image-receiving layer to a final receiver element, and (c) separating the opaque layer from the dyed image-receiving layer. Preferably, the opaque layer is reflective, and most preferably specularly reflective.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a binder and an infrared-absorbing material associated therewith, and wherein the infrared-absorbing material is a telluro- or seleno-squarylium dye having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represents hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group;R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, sulfonyl, carbamoyl, acyl, acylamido, alkylamino, arylamino, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group;X represents Se or Te; andY represents O, S, Se, Te, TeCl.sub.2 or TeBr.sub.2, with the proviso that when X and Y are both Se and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represents t-butyl, then R.sub.5 and R.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multicolor, multilayer dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a first dye layer comprising a homogeneously-dispersed mixture of an image dye having a certain color, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the first dye layer being overcoated with at least one additional dye layer comprising solid, homogeneous beads which contain an image dye having a different color than that of the first dye layer, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each additional dye layer being sensitized to a different wavelength.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multicolor dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a single dye layer comprising a mixture of at least two different colors of solid, homogeneous beads, each of which contains an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each color being sensitized to a different wavelength.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multicolor, multilayer dye donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon two or more dye layers of different colors on top of each other, each dye layer comprising solid, homogeneous beads which contain an image dye, a binder and a laser light-absorbing material, the beads being dispersed in a vehicle, and the beads of each dye layer being sensitized to a different wavelength.