Abstract: Laser transfer film for durable inscription on components made from at least one backing layer, where on at least part of the underside of the backing layer there is an adhesion layer, wherein a pigment layer which comprises at least one laser-sensitive pigment has been applied to at least part of the adhesion layer and/or backing layer.

Abstract: Improved processes and products for laser thermal imaging are described. These improved processes and products utlilize an image rigidification element and significantly reduce halftone dot movement, swath boundary cracking and banding.

Abstract: An in-situ method for fabricating, at least in part, an OLED device that is moisture- or oxygen-sensitive, such method comprising the steps of: providing into a controlled atmosphere coater a receiver element which will form part of the OLED device; providing into the controlled atmosphere coater a donor support element and coating such donor support element to produce a donor element with one or more layers required to produce all or part of the OLED device; controlling the atmosphere in the controlled atmosphere coater under controlled conditions; positioning the coated side of the donor element in material transferring relationship to the receiver element to be coated; and applying radiation to the donor element to selectively transfer one or more layers from the donor element to the receiver element.

Abstract: An in-situ vacuum method for fabricating, at least in part, an OLED device that is moisture- or oxygen-sensitive, such method including providing into a vacuum coater a receiver element which will form part of the OLED device; providing into said vacuum coater a donor support element and coating such donor support element to produce a donor element with one or more layers required to produce all or part of the OLED device; positioning the coated side of the donor element in material transferring relinquish to the receiver element to be coated; and applying radiation to the d nor element to selectively transfer in vacuum one or more layers from the donor element to the receiver element.

Abstract: A method of programming a radiation-hardened integrated circuit includes the steps of supplying a prototype device including an SRAM memory circuit or programmable key circuit to a customer, having the customer develop working data patterns in the field in the same manner as a reading and writing to a normal RAM memory, having the customer save the final debugged data pattern, delivering the data pattern to the factory, loading the customer-developed data pattern into memory, programming the customer-developed data pattern into a number of production circuits, irradiating the production circuits at a total dosage of between 300K and 1 Meg RAD to burn the data pattern into memory, and shipping the irradiated and programmed parts to the customer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible and convenient method that combines a digital color image with the versatility of an analog imaging method to create a hybrid digital/analog image, wherein an analog image is formed directly on a digitally generated image.

Abstract: A multicolor image-forming material of recording an image using an image-receiving sheet comprising a support having thereon at least an image-receiving layer, and thermal transfer sheets for forming four or more different colors each comprising a support having thereon at least a light-to-heat conversion layer and an image-forming layer, said image being recorded by superposing each said thermal transfer sheet and said image-receiving sheet such that the image-forming layer of the thermal transfer sheet and the image-receiving layer of the image-receiving layer come to face each other, irradiating laser light and transferring the image-forming layer in the region irradiated with the laser light onto the image-receiving layer of the image-receiving sheet, wherein the adhesive tape peeling strength on the image-receiving layer surface of said image-receiving sheet is from 800 to 20,000 mN/cm at room temperature.

Abstract: Improved processes and products for laser thermal imaging are described. These improved processes and products utlilize an image rigidification element and significantly reduce halftone dot movement, swath boundary cracking and banding.

Abstract: A multicolor itage-forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet comprising a support and an image-receiving layer; and at least four thermal transfer sheets each comprising a support, a light-to-heat converting layer and an image-forming layer, and each having a different color, wherein an image is formed by the method comprising the steps of: superposing each one of the at least four thermal transfer sheets on the image-receiving sheet to be in a state of the image-forming layer being in contact with the image-receiving layer; and irradiating the thermal transfer sheet with a laser beam to transfer an image in an area of the image-forming layer subjected to irradiation onto the image-receiving layer, the image-receiving sheet has both lengthwise and breadthwise lengths of 50 cm or more, and an area (length×breadth) of 3,000 cm2 or more, and a spectral reflectance of a surface of the image-receiving layer to the laser beam is 65% or more.

Abstract: A unique method/system for simultaneously creating and transferring a contrasting pattern of intelligence on and from an ablation-transfer imaging medium to a receptor element in contiguous registration therewith is not dependent upon contrast imaging materials that must absorb the imaging radiation and is well adopted for such applications as, e.g., color proofing and printing, the security coding of various documents and the production of masks for the graphic arts and printed circuit industries; the ablation-transfer imaging medium, per se, comprises a support substrate and an imaging radiation-, preferably a laser radiation-ablative topcoat essentially coextensive therewith, such ablative topcoat having a non-imaging ablation sensitizer and an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein.

Abstract: A method for forming an image using a transfer material and an image-receiving material. The transfer material has at least a support, a light-heat exchange layer and a coloring material layer. The image-receiving material has at least an image-receiving layer. The coloring material layer is superposed on the image-receiving layer, and laser light is imagewasely irradiated onto this laminate from the transfer material side. An irradiated region of the coloring material layer transfers onto the image-receiving layer. The transfer material may include an electroconductive layer, and the surface of the coloring material layer may be charged by corona discharge before superposition. Moreover, yellow, magenta, cyan and black may be used one after another, The laser light may be irradiated from a multi-beam 2-dimensional laser array, The thickness of black coloring material layer is from 0.5 to 0.7 &mgr;m and is greater than the thickness of other coloring material layers.

Abstract: A process for adjusting the energy of an imaging laser for imaging of a thermally imageable element and thermally imageable elements suitable for this purpose are described, which is useful for color filters and liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an active primer that includes an electronically active material dispersed in a binder. The active primer can be disposed between a thermal transfer donor sheet and a receptor to assist selective thermal transfer of a material from the donor sheet to the receptor to form at least a portion of an electronic device on the receptor. The binder of the active primer can be selected to improve adhesion of the transferred material to the receptor, or to enhance other transfer properties. The electronically active material of the active primer can be selected to maintain a desired level of functionality in the electronic device being patterned on the receptor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a partition layer on a substrate by imaging a thermal or laser transfer medium onto the substrate using a imagewise controlled radiation source. A matrix of partition cells are created on the substrate that can, in a further step, be selectively filled with fluid or ink using an inkjet printing technique. The partition layer, the substrate, and fluids to be deposited are selected so that the fluids wet the substrate but not the partitions, preventing bending between adjacent cells.

Abstract: The damping performance of an article and a polycarbonate composition is improved and a storage medium for data is provided with a glass transition temperature greater than about 150° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising an imaging layer and a base wherein said base comprises a closed cell foam core sheet and adhered thereto an upper and lower flange sheet wherein said upper flange sheet comprises oriented polystyrene or polypropylene polymer wherein the modulus of said upper flange sheet is between 1000 and 3500 MPa and the roughness of the upper surface of said base is less than 0.4 &mgr;m Ra.

Abstract: A method for forming an image using a transfer material and an image-receiving material. The transfer material has at least a support, a light-heat exchange layer and a coloring material layer. The image-receiving material has at least an image-receiving layer. The coloring material layer is superposed on the image-receiving layer, and laser light is imagewasely irradiated onto this laminate from the transfer material side. An irradiated region of the coloring material layer transfers onto the image-receiving layer. The transfer material may include an electroconductive layer, and the surface of the coloring material layer may be charged by corona discharge before superposition. Moreover, yellow, magenta, cyan and black may be used one after another, The laser light may be irradiated from a multi-beam 2-dimensional laser array, The thickness of black coloring material layer is from 0.5 to 0.7 &mgr;m and is greater than the thickness of other coloring material layers.

Abstract: A method of producing an organic LED display panel, which includes: a step of preparing a donor film by forming a transfer film on a base film comprising at least a foundation film and a light-to-heat conversion layer and a step of combining the donor film with a substrate and irradiating the donor film with one of a light beam and a heat radiation beam to pattern-transfer the transfer film from the donor film onto the substrate, wherein surfaces of the base film and the substrate which are to be brought into contact with the transfer film are hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and have water contact angles &thgr;1 and &thgr;2, respectively, which satisfy the following expression (I):

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: A black matrix can be formed by thermal transfer on a receptor substrate for use, for example, in a display application. This black matrix can be used, for example, as a color filter black matrix or a TFT (thin film transistor) black matrix to provide contrast and/or to separate adjacent electrically-conducting components.

Abstract: An ablatable laminar imaging medium useful in the manufacture of a substantially transparent electrode assembly is disclosed. The laminar imaging medium comprises a substrate, a high-index metal oxide layer, an ablatable metallic conductive layer, a high-index conductive metal oxide layer, and an ablation enhancement layer. The ablation enhancement layer has an IR-absorption greater than the IR-absorption of said high-index conductive metal oxide layer and an IR-reflectivity less than the IR-reflectivity of said high-index conductive metal oxide layer. Presence in the laminar imaging medium of the ablation enhancement layer lowers the exposure threshold of the medium and improves ablation accuracy, both—when occasioned in the manufacture of LCD electrode patterns—resulting collectively and ultimately in a more reliably formed electrical architecture, less susceptible to unwanted “shorting”.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal transfer elements and processes for patterning solvent-coated layers and solvent-susceptible layers onto the same receptor substrate. These donor elements and methods are particularly suited for making organic electroluminescent devices and displays. The donor elements can include a substrate, an optional light-to-heat conversion layer, and a single or multicomponent transfer layer that can be imagewise transferred to a receptor to form an organic electroluminescent device, portions thereof, or components therefor. The methods offer advantages over conventional patterning techniques such as photolithography, and make it possible to fabricate new organic electroluminescent device constructions.

Abstract: A laser-induced thermal transfer ink sheet for forming a transfer image, comprising a support having thereon a light-to-heat converting layer containing a light-to-heat converting compound, an interlayer containing a resin, and an ink layer in that order, wherein the light-to-heat converting compound and the resin satisfy one of the following requirements (a) and (b);

Abstract: A multicolor image-forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet comprising an image-receiving layer; and at least four thermal transfer sheets each comprising a support, a photothermal converting layer and an image-forming layer, and each having a different color, wherein an image is formed by the method comprising the steps of: superposing each one of the at least four thermal transfer sheets on the image-receiving sheet to be in a state of the image-forming layer being in contact with the image-receiving layer; and irradiating the thermal transfer sheet with a laser beam to transfer an image in an area of the image-forming layer subjected to irradiation onto the image-receiving layer, and a ratio of the reflection optical density (ODr) of the image-forming layer to a thickness of the image-forming layer (&mgr;m unit) is 1.50 or more to 1, and a contact angle in relation to water of the image-forming layer and the image-receiving layer is from 7.0 to 120.0°.

Abstract: The present invention uses a thermal transfer film in combination with a thermally sensitive color developing paper. The hue of the thermal transfer ink layer or the hue of the developed color of the color developing paper can be recorded on the color developing paper when the applied energy is low, and a plurality of colors can be recorded on the color developing paper by color mixture of the transfer from the thermal transfer ink layer and the developed color of the color developing paper when the applied energy is high.

Abstract: A multicolor image-forming material comprises: an image-receiving sheet having an image-receiving layer; and at least four thermal transfer sheets each including a support, a light-to-heat converting layer and an image-forming layer, in which each of the thermal transfer sheets has a different color, wherein an image is formed by: superposing the image-forming layer in each of the at least four thermal transfer sheets on the image-receiving layer in the image-receiving sheet, in which the image-forming layer is opposed to the image-receiving layer; irradiating the image-forming layer in the thermal transfer sheet with a laser beam; and transferring the irradiated area of the image-forming layer onto the image-receiving layer in the image-receiving sheet, and each of the light-to-heat converting layers in the at least four thermal transfer sheets has a ratio of an optical density (OD) to a layer thickness: OD/layer thickness (&mgr;m unit) of 0.57 or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for pattering oriented materials to make organic electronic displays or devices. The method includes selective thermal transfer of an oriented electronically active or emissive material from a thermal transfer donor sheet to a receptor. The method can be used to make organic electroluminescent devices and displays that emit polarized light. The method can also be used to make organic electronic devices with enhanced charge mobility properties. The present invention also provides donor sheets for use with the method, and methods for making donor sheets that include transfer layers having oriented electronically active organic materials.

Abstract: A thermal transfer element for forming a multilayer device may include a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit that, when transferred to a receptor, is configured and arranged to form a first operational layer and a second operational layer of a multilayer device. In at least some instances, the thermal transfer element also includes a light-to-heat conversion (LTHC) layer that can convert light energy to heat energy to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit. Transferring the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor may include contacting a receptor with a thermal transfer element having a substrate and a multicomponent transfer unit. Then, the thermal transfer element is selectively heated to transfer the multicomponent transfer unit to the receptor according to a pattern to form at least first and second operational layers of a device.

Abstract: A transfer film comprising a base film, a transfer layer, and a transfer auxiliary layer formed between the base film and the transfer layer so as to be in contact with at least the transfer layer, this transfer auxiliary layer having a melting point or a glass transition temperature lower than that of the transfer layer, wherein at least a portion of the transfer layer can be thermally transferred onto a substrate

Abstract: A heat developing method having the steps of: initially making the overall surface of a heat developing photosensitive material or a photosensitive and thermosensitive recording material (hereinafter called a “heat developing recording material”) to a predetermined temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature and not higher than heat development start temperature; and performing heat development.

Abstract: The present invention provides an active primer that includes an electronically active material dispersed in a binder. The active primer can be disposed between a thermal transfer donor sheet and a receptor to assist selective thermal transfer of a material from the donor sheet to the receptor to form at least a portion of an electronic device on the receptor. The binder of the active primer can be selected to improve adhesion of the transferred material to the receptor, or to enhance other transfer properties. The electronically active material of the active primer can be selected to maintain a desired level of functionality in the electronic device being patterned on the receptor.

Abstract: An image-forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet; and a thermal transfer sheet comprising a first support, a photothermal converting layer and an image-forming layer, wherein the image-receiving sheet or each of the image-receiving sheet and the first support comprises a polyether sulfone layer comprising polyether sulfone and a method using the image-forming material.

Abstract: A first heat-sensitive microcapsule of the present invention comprises a shell wall and a liquid coloring composition, and has such a temperature-breaking characteristic that the shell wall is broken by heating to a temperature equal to or higher than a boiling point of the liquid coloring composition. The first heat-sensitive microcapsule is stable to light and easy to handle. A second heat-sensitive microcapsule of the present invention comprises a shell wall, a coloring composition and a heat decomposition-type gas-developing agent, and has such a temperature-breaking characteristic that the shell wall is broken by heating to a temperature equal to or higher than a decomposition temperature of the gas-developing agent. The second heat-sensitive microcapsule can be sensitively broken even by heating in a short time.

Abstract: A direct drawing type lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a water-resistant support having provided thereon an image receiving layer, wherein the image receiving layer comprises particles having rough surface composed of core particles having on the surfaces thereof fine particles adhered, and a binder resin comprising a complex composed of a resin containing a siloxane bond in which a silicon atom is connected with an oxygen atom and an organic polymer containing a group capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the resin containing a siloxane bond. According to the use of the direct drawing type lithographic printing plate precursor of the present invention, images free from not only background stain over an entire surface but also dot-like stain can be formed thereon. Also, the direct drawing type lithographic printing plate precursor can prepare a lithographic printing plate providing a great number of printed matter having clear images free from disappearance or distortion of image.

Abstract: A thermal mass transfer donor element is provided that includes a thermal transfer layer and a light-to-heat conversion layer, wherein the light-to-heat conversion layer has at least two regions exhibiting different absorption coefficients. The thermal transfer donor elements provided can improve imaging performance by increasing transfer sensitivity and decreasing imaging defects.

Abstract: Disclosed is provide an intermediate image receiving sheet for a laser thermal transfer recording method, which can easily transfer an image to even a rough surface paper with high quality and stable repeatablility, and can use a variety of papers to produce and image proof which yields results similar to a print made in a production run.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for pattering oriented materials to make organic electronic displays or devices. The method includes selective thermal transfer of an oriented electronically active or emissive material from a thermal transfer donor sheet to a receptor. The method can be used to make organic electroluminescent devices and displays that emit polarized light. The method can also be used to make organic electronic devices with enhanced charge mobility properties. The present invention also provides donor sheets for use with the method, and methods for making donor sheets that include transfer layers having oriented electronically active organic materials.

Abstract: A thermal mass transfer donor element is provided that includes a thermal transfer layer and a light-to-heat conversion layer, wherein the light-to-heat conversion layer has at least two regions exhibiting different absorption coefficients. The thermal transfer donor elements provided can improve imaging performance by increasing transfer sensitivity and decreasing imaging defects.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element consisting essentially of a photographic element comprising a base material having an upper surface comprising an oriented sheet, at least one photosensitive silver halide layer, and at least one sharpness enhancing agent above said photosensitive silver halide layer.

Abstract: Lithographic imaging techniques begin with a donor member having substrate substantially transparent to imaging radiation and a transferable material thereover; the substrate and the transferable material differ in affinity for ink and/or a liquid to which ink will not adhere. The donor member is exposed to imaging radiation in an imagewise pattern so as to cause displacement of the transfer material from the donor member in accordance with that pattern. Following the imagewise displacement, the donor member can be used as a lithographic printing member.

Abstract: A laser thermal transfer recording method is disclosed. The method employs an ink sheet having a light-heat conversion layer an a laser thermal transfer image receiving sheet having an image receiving layer in which Vicat softening point of the resin composing the thermoplastic layer of the image receiving layer is less than 80° C., and one of the image receiving layer and the ink layer contains a matting agent having a particle diameter larger than the thickness of the layer containing matting agent, the projection height of the matting agent is less than 3.5 &mgr;m and the frequency of the projections is from 400/mm2 to 4,000/mm2, and the peeling angle of the ink sheet and the image receiving sheet is controlled at an angle less than 30°.

Abstract: A black matrix can be formed by thermal transfer on a receptor substrate for use, for example, in a display application. This black matrix can be used, for example, as a color filter black matrix or a TFT (thin film transistor) black matrix to provide contrast and/or to separate adjacent electrically-conducting components.

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: A mass transfer imaging element comprising a substrate having a surface colorant layer containing a pigment to be imagewise transferred, wherein said colorant layer comprises a fluorocarbon additive in an amount to provide a fluorocarbon additive:pigment weight ratio of at least 1:20.

Abstract: In an image recording process comprising the steps of superposing a transfer film on an receiver film, said transfer film having an opto-thermal converting layer and a toner layer on a support and said receiver film having an image receiving layer on a support, said toner layer being opposed to said image forming layer, transferring said toner layer onto said image receiving layer by exposure of laser beam, and stripping said transfer film from said receiver film to form an image, the thickness of said opto-thermal converting layer is adjusted such that the distance from the position where a peak temperature occurs in the direction of thickness of the opto-thermal converting layer to said toner layer is within the range from zero to a third of the thickness of said opto-thermal converting layer. This design permits satisfactory image recording without undesired density drop.

Abstract: A method for forming an image using a transfer material and an image-receiving material. The transfer material has at least a support, a light-heat exchange layer and a coloring material layer. The image-receiving material has at least an image-receiving layer. The coloring material layer is superposed on the image-receiving layer, and laser light is imagewasely irradiated onto this laminate from the transfer material side. An irradiated region of the coloring material layer transfers onto the image-receiving layer. The transfer material may include an electroconductive layer, and the surface of the coloring material layer may be charged by corona discharge before superposition. Moreover, yellow, magenta, cyan and black may be used one after another, The laser light may be irradiated from a multi-beam 2-dimensional laser array, The thickness of black coloring material layer is from 0.5 to 0.7 &mgr;m and is greater than the thickness of other coloring material layers.

Abstract: The present invention uses a thermal transfer film in combination with a thermally sensitive color developing paper. The hue of the thermal transfer ink layer or the hue of the developed color of the color developing paper can be recorded on the color developing paper when the applied energy is low, and a plurality of colors can be recorded on the color developing paper by color mixture of the transfer from the thermal transfer ink layer and the developed color of the color developing paper when the applied energy is high.

Abstract: An imageable element comprises: (A) a substrate; and (B) an imageable composition applied to the substrate comprising: (1) a first layer, comprising: (a) a photosensitive composition capable of absorbing actinic radiation; and (b) a photothermal converter; and (2) an ablatable second layer contiguous to the first layer, wherein the second layer is opaque to the actinic radiation. This imageable element advantageously is useful in both positive and negative working printing plate applications, increases the efficiency of use of mask-generating radiation such as IR radiation and eliminates the need for chemicals and additional time to create a mask.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer containing an ink jet image and an overcoat layer of a water-dispersible, hydrophobic polyester resin having the following general formula::

Abstract: An image receiving sheet for thermal transfer recording is disclosed. The image receiving sheet comprises a lower layer and an image receiving layer on the support, and variation of position of point of a needle satisfies the following conditions when the needle having a diameter of 1 mm is touched on the image receiving sheet with a load of 10 g and the temperature is risen at a rate of 5° C. per minute; {(Position at 25° C.−Position at 30° C.)/Position at 25° C.}×100%≦5% {(Position at 25° C.−Position at 130° C.)/Position at 25° C.}×100%≧50%.