Abstract: A hybrid film, comprising a first polymer film having a plasma-treated surface and a second polymer film having first and second surfaces, with the first surface of the second polymer film being disposed along the first plasma-treated surface of the first polymer film, has superior thermal and mechanical properties that improve performance in a number of applications, including food packaging, thin film metallized and foil capacitors, metal evaporated magnetic tapes, flexible electrical cables, and decorative and optically variable films. One or more metal layers may be deposited on either the plasma-treated surface of the substrate and/or the radiation-cured acrylate polymer A ceramic layer may be deposited on the radiation-cured acrylate polymer to provide an oxygen and moisture barrier film. The hybrid film is produced using a high speed, vacuum polymer deposition process that is capable of forming thin, uniform, high temperature, cross-liked acrylate polymers on specific thermoplastic or thermoset films.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a polyethylene coated paperboard material with a mirror-pocket finish and a predetermined Dyne level is disclosed herein. The apparatus and method utilizes a double corona treatment on a single polyethylene surface to create the material with the predetermined Dyne level. Such paperboard material is often used for fabrication of cups, and the like. The predetermined Dyne level is required for printing requirements. The method and apparatus allow for the production of the predetermined Dyne level material at standard laminator operating speeds.

Abstract: A film of a coating material is produced on a substrate by a pulsed laser deposition method in which the material that forms the coating material is first combined with a matrix material to form a target. The target is then exposed to a source of laser energy to desorb the matrix material from the target and lift the coating material from the surface of the target. The target and the substrate are oriented with respect to each other so that the lifted coating material is deposited as a film upon said substrate. The matrix material is selected to have the property of being more volatile than the coating material and less likely than the coating material to adhere to the substrate. The matrix material is further selected as having the property such that when the target is exposed to a source of laser energy, the matrix material desorbs from the target and lifts the coating material from the surface of the target.

Abstract: Optical diffusing structures can be fabricated from photopolymerizable material by directing light through a transparent or translucent substrate and then through the photopolymerizable material for a period of time sufficient to photopolymerize only a portion of the material. The resultant structure can be utilized as a diffuser, a viewing screen, and in other applications, and can be combined with other light-directing structures such as arrays of tapered optical waveguides.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for curing polymeric materials including dental composites. Preferably, modulated light is used to control the formation of polymer chains in the polymeric material so that a cured polymeric material that has the desired physical characteristics for its intended function. Formation of short chain and long chain polymers from monomers in the polymeric material is initiated and controlled by using a light source with a wavelength suitable for one or more initiators found in the polymeric material.

Abstract: A novel method for pulsed-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition ("PPECVD") is described. A power-modulated energy waveform is provided to a gas in a reactor chamber to generate a pulsed-plasma for PPECVD. The power-modulated energy waveform is amplitude-modulated by a beat frequency caused by interfering signals. The product of the interfering signals is a continuous, amplitude modulated signal, in which a beat frequency waveform may have either a sinusoidal form or a non-sinusoidal form. Beat frequency is selected such that a characteristic thickness of a material to be deposited may or may not be not be deposited in a single period of the beat frequency.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process and a system for transforming a liquid into a solid material using light energy. In particular, a solution containing a parent material in a liquid form is atomized in a reaction vessel and directed towards a substrate. The atomized liquid is exposed to light energy which causes the parent material to form a solid coating on a substrate. The light energy can be provided from one or more lamps and preferably includes ultraviolet light. Although the process of the present invention is well suited for use in many different and various applications, one exemplary application is in depositing a dielectric material on a substrate to be used in the manufacture of integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a color filter equipped with a plurality of colored light-transmitting areas on its base, wherein the light-transmitting areas are colored with ink dots, and each of the colored portions is continuously formed over a plurality of the light-transmitting areas.

Abstract: A process for producing a repair coating This invention relates to a process for producing a multi-layer repair coating by the application of a transparent clear lacquer coat, which is unpigmented or which contains colourless pigment, to a predried or hardened colour- and/or effect-imparting base pigment coat, or by the application of a pigmented covering lacquer coat to an optionally precoated substrate. Binder vehicles which are hardenable exclusively by radical polymerisation are used for the production of the transparent clear lacquer coat or of the pigmented covering lacquer coat, and hardening is effected by means of pulsed, high-energy UV radiation.

Abstract: A surface coated with amino groups is produced by applying a polymerizable amine to a surface by means of a pulsed plasma. The coated surfaces obtained thereby have a high density of amino groups so that a specific binding phase can be obtained by covalently binding a partner of a specific binding pair to the surfaces coated with amino groups.

Abstract: Rapid curing of polymer layers on semiconductor substrates is facilitated using variable frequency microwave energy. A semiconductor substrate having a polymer layer thereon is placed in a microwave furnace cavity, and then swept with a range of microwave frequencies. The range of frequencies includes a central frequency selected to rapidly heat the polymer layer. The range of frequencies is selected to generate a plurality of modes within the cavity. The sweep rate is selected so as to avoid damage to the semiconductor substrate and/or any components thereon. The microwave power may be adjusted during frequency sweeping to control the temperature of the polymer layer and the semiconductor substrate. Effluent produced during the curing of the polymer layer may be removed from the furnace cavity.

Abstract: This invention describes a new approach to three-dimensional molecular tailoring of surfaces. In this process, a plasma deposition step is initially employed to deposit reactive functional groups on the surface of a solid substrate. This is then followed by immersion of the coated substrate in a solution during which time solute molecules react with the functional surface groups introduced during the plasma process. Solute molecules are attached to the surface during this second step. This simple two-step process is of general utility in that both the nature of the plasma introduced surface group and the nature of the solute molecules can be varied. Additionally it is possible to provide exact control of the surface density of reactive groups introduced during the plasma process and thus the concentration of solute molecules coupled to the solid surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing a color filter, arranged with a plurality of colored pixels on the base, by applying inks of red, blue and green colors onto a base by an ink-jet system, wherein at least one of the blue and green inks comprises a dye selected from the group consisting of C.I. Direct Blue 86, C.I. Direct Blue 87 and C.I. Direct Blue 199.

Abstract: Rapid curing of polymer layers on semiconductor substrates is facilitated using variable frequency microwave energy. A semiconductor substrate having a polymer layer thereon is placed in a microwave furnace cavity, and then swept with a range of microwave frequencies. The range of frequencies includes a central frequency selected to rapidly heat the polymer layer. The range of frequencies is selected to generate a plurality of modes within the cavity. The sweep rate is selected so as to avoid damage to the semiconductor substrate and/or any components thereon. The microwave power may be adjusted during frequency sweeping to control the temperature of the polymer layer and the semiconductor substrate. Effluent produced during the curing of the polymer layer may be removed from the furnace cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a color filter comprising a transparent base, and a light-screening resin layer, in which numbers of transparent areas and light-screening areas formed at margins of the transparent areas are arranged, and a filter resin layer, in which a plurality of transparent colored areas different in spectral characteristics from each other is repeatedly arranged in opposed relation to the transparent areas of the light-screening resin layer, successively formed on the transparent base.

Abstract: Provided is a color filter which comprises a substrate and a resin layer on the substrate, the resin layer containing a plurality of colored portions of different colors and non-colored portions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a color filter comprising a base equipped with light-transmitting areas, and an ink-receiving layer provided on the base and equipped with colored light-transmitting areas on the light-transmitting areas of the base, wherein the ink-receiving layer comprises a homopolymer of a monomer having a structural unit represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes hydrogen or a methyl group, and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are, independently of each other, hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or its copolymer with one or more other vinyl monomers.

Abstract: A method of increasing the tack of a pressure sensitive adhesive by exposing a polymeric pressure sensitive adhesive to an activating treatment, activatable articles containing such an adhesive and adhesive compositions resulting from such an activating treatment. The activatable, polymeric, pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably a water based adhesive prepared by free radical polymerization of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate, or methacrylate monomers having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. The activating treatment is preferably corona charging or corona charging in combination with uv light.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for fabricating a fiber optic microcable mposed of materials having properties which facilitate its manufacture. The microcable is comprised of an optical fiber core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a protective sheath surrounding the buffer consisting of an electromagnetic radiation cured resin impregnated with fibers suspended in the resin to enhance the resistance of the microcable to physical damage. The microcable is fabricated by soaking the fibers in an electromagnetic radiation curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the core and buffer to form a matrix, and then irradiating the matrix with electromagnetic radiation to cure the resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an object using stereography is disclosed. The apparatus has a bath of liquid material in a container, the bath having a free surface. A support in the container supports and positions the object relative to the surface. A means for applying electromagnetic radiation solidifies a layer having solidified sections of the material. A wiper extends across the surface in a first direction. The wiper is at least partly formed of a flexible material and has a substantially horizontal lower edge, and it is positioned below the free surface of the bath in a working position. Displacement means displaces the wiper in the working position in a second direction substantially transversely to the first direction to move a portion of the liquid material in the bath. The lower edge of the wiper is flexibly yielding so as to apply a thin film of liquid material on a surface of the solidified layer and liquid material between solidified sections when displacing the wiper in the second direction.

Abstract: A protective layer or film is deposited onto a face surface of a plastic substrate, e.g., a PMMA shaped article, by (a) placing such plastic substrate on a weakly or unpolarized electrode comprising a plasma-generating circuit, (b) plasma-pretreating the plastic substrate in an oxygen plasma, under primary vacuum, by a pulse of electrical power density of such minimum magnitude as to oxygen-activate a face surface thereof, and (c) plasma-polymerizing at least one organosilicon monomer onto the face surface of said plastic substrate, also under vacuum and from an oxygen/organosilicon monomer plasma, whereby depositing a thin protective layer or film thereon.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a color filter which comprises arranging colorants on a substrate by using inks capable of curing by the application of energy, said method comprising (1) a step of imparting, to the substrate, the inks capable of curing by the application of energy to form colored portions, (2) a step of applying the energy to the substrate to partially cure the colored portions, (3) a step of forming an energy-curable resin layer on the partially cured colored portions, and (4) a step of curing the partially cured colored portions and the resin layer by the application of the energy.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of coating to make a resilient, flexible surface covering that has a wear surface having stain, mar, scuff, and soil resistance. The improved resilient surface covering comprises (a) a resilient support surface; and (b) a resilient wear surface adhered to the resilient support surface, the resilient wear surface comprising an underlying wear layer base coat and an overlying wear layer top coat adhered to the wear layer base coat, the wear layer base coat comprising a flexible, thermoset, polymeric composition having a flexibility such that the wear layer base coat passes a 1 inch mandrel diameter face out mandrel bend test when applied at a nominal dry film thickness of 1.0 mil over a flexible 80 mil underlying substrate, the wear layer top coat comprising, a hard, thermoset, UV-curable blend of acrylic or acrylate monomers, the wear layer top coat having a glass transition temperature of greater than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for providing a substantially flat working surface of photocurable resin for the formation of a next layer of a stereolithographic part. A substantially flat surface of a rigid member is substantially covered by and spaced from the resin by a substance or film, which is placed in contact with the photocurable resin to form the working surface. Various embodiments are described including where the rigid member is a quartz including a fused silica plate, a bar, a vat wall, the face of a CRT, a fiber-optic bundle, or the bottom of a piston, and also including embodiments where the substance or film is a thin teflon or mylar film, an inert liquid, wax, a thin coating of trichlorosilane or ethoxysilane, or oxygen-saturated resin. Embodiments are also described whereby the next layer is exposed by transmitting solidifying radiation through the member and substance or film.

Abstract: A multi-switch processing methodology and a multi-channel time-division plasma chopping device (10) for in-situ plasma-assisted semiconductor wafer processing associated with a plasma and/or photochemical processing equipment. The device (10) comprises a main transfer channel (72) associated with the processing reactor for transferring process gas and activated plasma mixtures into the reactor. A plurality of gas discharge channels (18, 22, 26, and 30) associate with the main transfer channel (72) for independently directing various gases and activated plasma combinations to main transfer channel (72). Process excitation sources (16, 20, 24 and 28) associate with at least one of said gas discharge or activation channels to independently and selectively activate process gases and to control gas activation and flow from the discharge channels to the main transfer channel (72).

Abstract: A method for making an optical recording medium having an optically responsive polydiacetylene monomolecular film or monomolecular built-up film is provided. In the method, a substrate having a hydrophilic surface is immersed in a solution, in organic solvent, of a substance containing a diacetylene group and an --Si--Cl group to form a monomolecular film of the substance on the substrate by chemical adsorption. The diacetylene groups are polymerized by energy beam irradiation to obtain the optically responsive polydiacetylene film. This medium is usable as a write-once or rewriteable medium.

Abstract: A process for the formation of a silicon oxide film, comprising the steps of exciting a gas comprising an organosilane or organosiloxane gas and a gas containing H and OH above a substrate in a reaction chamber to react them with each other in a gaseous phase or on the substrate, thereby depositing a thin film of an organic-group-containing silanol, silanol polymer, or siloxane-bonded polymer on the substrate, and removing the organic groups from the thin film to form a silicon oxide film. Preferably, the formation of a film is conducted while repeating the step of deposition and the step of removing the organic groups through a plasma treatment within an identical chamber, and the film is further heat-treated at a temperature of 450.degree. C. or below. Thus, a good insulating film having a flatness comparable to that of an SOG film can be obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the ultraviolet curing of pigmented coatings having a thickness from about 1 mm to about 10 mm at a high curing rate and a relatively low energy consumption per unit area of coating cured. A coated substrate is irradiated by a first high UV source having a spectral energy distribution of the discharge which is high in the range from about 350 nm to about 450 nm and by a second UV source having a spectral energy distribution of the discharge which is high in discrete regions through the range of about 200 nm to about 450 nm. Each UV source is powered by at least about 300 watts per inch of width of the coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a protective coating onto a substrate comprises a power supply for generating an amplitude-modulated alternating electromagnetic field in a vacuum chamber. A silicon-organic compound is supplied in a gaseous state into the vacuum chamber and is plasma polymerized onto the substrate in the chamber without powdery portions. Another process parameter for controlling coating rate is adjusted to be at a high level so that when the amplitude modulation is stopped, powdery portions do appear in the coating. Thus at high coating rates amplitude-modulation according to the invention avoids such powdery portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of an optical lens providing refractive index modulation, characterized in that, starting from a previously shaped lens of transparent hydrophilic polymer of the hydrogel type, the lens is impregnated with a photopolymerizable composition containing at least one monomer and a photoinitiator in solution in a solvent which causes swelling of the lens, the impregnated lens is subjected to irradiation which is spatially modulated in irradiation intensity and/or irradiation time, thus causing local selective polymerization of the monomer, whereupon the excess quantity of photoinitiator and non-polymerized monomer is removed by solvent extraction.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for curing conformal coatings on circuit boards being conveyed through a curing chamber within a UV oven. Warm air, exhausted from a lamp housing containing UV lamps for curing the coatings, is directed into a flash zone chamber through which the coated circuit boards are conveyed prior to entering the UV oven for flashing volatile constituents from the coatings and raising the temperature of the circuit boards.

Abstract: A process and machine are provided to manufacture furniture parts and the like with a unique, durable, low gloss finish which has a soft, satin feel, and imparts a monolithic appearance to the part. A blank cut from a suitable substrate material is grooved about its marginal edge to a depth near the opposite surface of the blank. A liquid edge protection material is poured into the groove and fully cured. The blank is then cut through at the filled groove to create a decorative protective strip about the marginal edge of the blank. The formed blank is next coated with a selected paint or base material. After the base coat is cured, a layer of UV curable, protective material is applied to the painted surfaces of the blank. The UV coated blank is then translated through a multi-stage, continuous feed, ultraviolet processor to selectively and sequentially cure the protective coat. Powered rollers arranged in spaced apart groups convey the parts through the processor.