Abstract: The present invention is for a method of fabricating a high aspect ratio, freestanding microstructure. The fabrication method modifies the exposure process for SU-8, an negative-acting, ultraviolet-sensitive photoresist used for microfabrication whereby a UV-absorbent glass substrate, chosen for complete absorption of UV radiation at 380 nanometers or less, is coated with SU-8, exposed and developed according to standard practice. This UV absorbent glass enables the fabrication of cylindrical cavities in SU-8 microstructures that have aspect ratios of 8:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative photosensitive resin composition comprising (A) a photocurable resin having a photosensitive group or groups crosslinkable by light irradiation, (B) a photoacid generator and (C) a photosensitizer which is a benzopyran condensed ring compound capable of increasing photosensitivity to visible light with a wavelength of 480 nm or more,

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive photosensitive resin composition comprising (A) a positive photosensitive resin, (B) a photoacid generator and (C) a photosensitizer which is a benzopyran condensed ring compound capable of increasing photosensitivity to visible light with a wavelength of 480 nm or more;

Abstract: A method for resist strip and metal contamination removal. Wafers (108) with a patterned resist formed thereon are subjected to an ozonated deionized water solution, such as mist (120). The ozonated deionized water solution (120) strips the resist and removes the resist residue. At the end of the process, HCl (152) is added to the deionized water (116) prior to forming the ozonated deionized water solution (120) to remove metal contaminants.

Abstract: An ablation image forming material is disclosed. In the image forming material the colorant particles are metal particles which are magnetized upon application of to magnetic force, a production method of the same, and an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a polymeric material without odors or fuming and with reduced stickiness of the worked surface of material for seals and workability during laser processing, and the flexographic printing plate and sealing material made of the polymeric material having excellent characteristics of laser processing and having sufficient carving depth. The polymeric material of the present invention is characterized in that the polymeric material is made by crosslinking a polymer composition comprising a polymer which contains an ethylene unit as a repeating unit in content of 45% or more by mass and an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A preparation method of an image forming material comprising a support having thereon at least an image forming layer is desclosed, comprising subjecting one side of the support to a treatment to modify the surface of the support and coating an image forming layer on the surface-modified support, wherein the image forming layer contains a resin containing a polar group and an compound containing an isocyanate group and the modified surface of the support exhibiting a surface energy of 45 to 60 dyne/cm, and wherein the image forming material is imagewise exposed to a high density energy light, thereby making an exposed area of the image forming layer removable and removing the removable image forming layer to form an image.

Abstract: A pattern can be precisely formed by irradiating, with an active energy beam, a positive sensitive resin composition according to this invention comprising a base polymer, an ether-bond-containing olefinic unsaturated compound and an acid-generating agent, where the base polymer is a copolymer comprising the structural units represented by formulas (1) to (3): 1

Abstract: To secure a thin film to a rigid carrier for subsequent exposure to processing chemicals, the thin film is initially adhered to the rigid carrier with a light adhesive from which the thin film may later be peeled. Then a photoresist is applied over the thin film extending over a peripheral region of the carrier along the perimeter of the thin film. The photoresist is exposed to actinic radiation in a pattern such that when the photoresist is subsequently developed, a perimeter region of the photoresist remains over the perimeter region of the carrier and extending inward over the periphery of the thin film sufficiently to secure the thin film during conveyorized chemical processing. Finally the resist is stripped to release the thin film and the thin film pealed from the adhesive pattern.

Abstract: A negative-working, radiation-sensitive mixture is provided which contains an organic polymeric binder and a substance which converts radiant energy into heat, wherein the polymeric binder essentially comprises units of the formula (I): in which R1 is a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C4) alkyl radical, X is a single bond or a (q+1)-valent radical of a (C4-C10) alkane, in which individual methylene groups may be replaced by hetero atoms, of a (C2-C8) alkene or of an isocyclic or heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated, mono- or polycyclic (C6-C10) ring or ring system, n is from 40 to 80 mol %, m is from 15 to 30 mol %, p is from 1 to 10 mol % and q is an integer from 1 to 3, where q is equal to 1 when X is a single bond, and the polymeric binder has an acid number of from 5 to 150. A recording material comprising a substrate and a layer of this mixture, and a process for the production of a color proof are also provided.

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

Abstract: A high resolution thermal imaging medium including a support web having an image forming surface of a material which may be temporarily liquified by heat and upon which is deposited a particulate or porous layer of an image forming substance which is wettable by the material during its liquified state.

Abstract: A flexographic varnishing plate, used for the selective application of varnish over printed areas, is made by cutting an elastomeric layer bonded to a clear substrate with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The elastomer is peeled off from the areas which should not be varnished and an exposure to ultra-violet light increases the strength of the adhesive holding the remaining elastomer to the substrate. The plate can be used on lithographic and flexographic printing presses.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing master is disclosed. The method comprises a step of providing a hydrophilic cylindrical surface, e.g. an aluminium plate mounted on the plate cylinder of a printing press, with an image recording composition by transfer from a donor material. The donor material comprises a support and a transfer layer which comprises hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and a compound capable of converting light to heat. The transfer is obtained by friction between the donor layer and the cylindrical surface and/or by moistening the cylindrical surface with an aqueous liquid. The method is especially suited for on-press coating and on-press imaging in computer-to-press procedures.

Abstract: A peel-apart photosensitive element comprising in order: a strippable cover sheet; a photosensitive layer; an essentially non-photosensitive, non-tacky organic layer comprised of block or random polymers of at least one aromatic polymer and at least one non-aromatic monomer; and a support, wherein the photosensitive layer has a lowered peel force in relation to the cover sheet after exposure to actinic radiation.

Abstract: Dimensional inconsistencies between a proof and an image to be overlaid thereon is avoided by subjecting both the proof image and the overlay image to the same heat treatment, thereby ensuring that both images undergo the same degree of shrinkage.

Abstract: A method for forming images on a substrate wherein imaging is performed on a photosensitive element, the method including the steps of (a) providing a photosensitive element having a support, a dry strippable layer and a first photosensitive layer, wherein the dry strippable release layer is present between the support and the photosensitive layer; (b) imaging the photosensitive element; (c) toning to form a photosensitive element having an imagewise toned surface; (d) applying an additional photosensitive layer to the imagewise toned surface of the photosensitive element; (e) forming a final imaged element by removing the support from the toned, photosensitive element; and (f) placing the final imaged element on the substrate to form a final image on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-sensitive material comprising A) a multilayer support material, B) a colored photopolymerizable layer, and C) an adhesive layer. The multilayer support material consists of at least two sheet-form materials, which are bonded to one another in such a way that the adhesion between the two sheet-form materials is less than the adhesion between the radiation-sensitive layer and the adjacent support material. The invention furthermore relates to a process in which a colored image, in particular a multicolored image comprising a plurality of primary-color images, is produced on an image-receiving material.

Abstract: An element containing, in order: a first strippable substrate; a substantially transparent, non-photosensitive, polymeric isolation layer having a coating weight of 10 to 150 mg/dm.sup.2 ; an essentially non-photosensitive, non-tacky organic layer having a coating weight of 25 to 200 mg/dm.sup.2 ; a pigmented photosensitive, preferably photopolymerizable layer; and a second different strippable substrate adjacent the photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive layer upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation exhibits a lowered peel force relative to a system which does not have a polymeric isolation layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a varnishing film and a method of adjusting the surface gloss of prepress color proof using the same for obtaining a color proof with the surface gloss in the particular areas of image adjusted, comprising the step of forming an image on matt surface having been formed using the varnishing film with an adhesive transparent resin layer containing transparent matting agent and a transparent photosensitive layer provided on a transparent supporter, on the prepress color proof formed by Surprint process. It is possible to form an image with difference in the surface glosses on the prepress color proof formed by Surprint process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the removal of a resist layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, which enables easy removal of a resist layer without causing any damage on a gate oxide layer, and an apparatus therefor. The process comprises the steps of forming a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a resist layer as a resist pattern on the gate oxide layer; removing the gate oxide layer at unnecessary area utilizing the resist layer as a mask; applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet to the semiconductor substrate such that the gate oxide layer left on the semiconductor substrate and the resist layer are masked, and peeling the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet together with the resist layer off the semiconductor substrate to separate and remove the resist layer from the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for planarizing circuit board apertures wherein a photoimageable film composition comprising a photoimageable dielectric composition and a support film is employed to fill the circuit board apertures. Precircuitized and postcircuitized embodiments are discussed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pattern sheet for plate-making capable of easily forming a positive image through the use of a photographic negative film. In this method, as a first step, a negative film with a printed negative image is placed on a surface of a light transmission sheet carrying a photosensitive color-developing layer containing a photosensitive color-developing material which makes a color development in response to light. Further, as a second step, the light is applied thereto from the negative film side after the first step. As a result of the application of the light, a color development takes place in the photosensitive color-developing layer due to the light passing through the negative image, thus causing a positive image to be formed on the surface of the light transmission sheet.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the formation of a black image on a substrate comprising the steps of:a) providing a donor element comprising a carrier substrate, a black, pigmented photohardenable layer, and photopolymerizable adhesive layer in which the unexposed photopolymerizable adhesive layer has a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of less than 100,000 cps,b) adhering said photopolymer adhesive layer to a first substrate,c) irradiating said photopolymer adhesive in an imagewise distribution of radiation to polymerize said adhesive in an imagewise distribution, andd) stripping said element from said first substrate leaving an imagewise distribution of said black pigmented layer secured to said substrate.

Abstract: A peel-apart photosensitive element comprising in order: a strippable cover sheet; a photosensitive layer; an essentially non-photosensitive, non-tacky organic layer comprised of block or random polymers of at least one aromatic polymer and at least one non-aromatic monomer; and a support, wherein the photosensitive layer has a lowered peel force in relation to the cover sheet after exposure to actinic radiation.

Abstract: Monomers with cyclic carbonate groups of the formula I are suitable for the production of photosensitive recording materials, for example for the production of offset printing plates ##STR1## in which A means an (n+m)-valent hydrocarbon residue with 3 to 30 C atoms, which may be OH-substituted and may contain up to 8 ether bridges,R means H or methyl;n means an integer from 1 to 5;m means an integer from 1 to 3, providing that n+m is at least 3.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image plate comprised of a stiffening layer formed from a first photocured polymeric material and a print contact layer formed from a second photocured polymeric material wherein the first photocured polymeric material is a hard photocured polymeric material and the second photocured polymeric material is formed from a soft photocured polymeric material. The image plate is assembled as a photocured pre-cut sheet of relief images comprising a first layer formed from a releasable substrate, a second layer formed from a first photocured polymer, and a third layer formed from a second photocured polymer, wherein the first photocured polymer is formed from a hard photopolymer resin and the second photocured polymer is formed from a soft photopolymer resin.

Abstract: An element containing, in order: a first strippable substrate; a substantially transparent, non-photosensitive, polymeric isolation layer having a coating weight of 10 to 150 mg/dm.sup.2 ; an essentially non-photosensitive, non-tacky organic layer having a coating weight of 25 to 200 mg/dm.sup.2 ; a pigmented photosensitive, preferably photopolymerizable layer; and a second different strippable substrate adjacent the photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive layer upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation exhibits a lowered peel force relative to a system which does not have a polymeric isolation layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a fluorescent screen, such as a black matrix or a color filter, on a front panel of a cathode ray tube is described. The method comprises the steps of forming a photosensitive adhesion layer on an inner surface of the front panel, exposing the photosensitive adhesion layer through a color selecting electrode having a plurality of slots for reducing adhesion level of exposed area of the photosensitive adhesion layer, bringing a pigment layer provided on a supporting sheet into intimate contact with the photosensitive adhesion layer, applying pressure to the pigment layer and the photosensitive layer, and peeling off the supporting sheet from the pigment layer. Alternatively, a pigment may be dispersed in the photosensitive adhesion pigment layer.

Abstract: An element containing, in order: a first strippable substrate; a substantially transparent, non-photosensitive, polymeric isolation layer having a coating weight of 10 to 150 mg/dm.sup.2 ; an elastomeric layer having a coating weight of 25 to 200 mg/dm.sup.2 ; a pigmented photosensitive, preferably photopolymerizable layer; and a second different strippable substrate adjacent the photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive layer upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation exhibits a lowered peel force relative to a system which does not have a polymeric isolation layer.

Abstract: A photosensitive element, and a process for forming a high density photo mode image with it, is disclosed comprising a support, an image forming layer comprising an image forming substance, preferably carbon black, a photopolymerisable layer and a cover sheet. Optionally a release layer can be present between the image forming layer and the photopolymerisable layer.

Abstract: A photosensitive element is disclosed, and a process of forming an image with it, comprising, in order, a support with an optional subbing layer (1), a metal image forming layer, a photosensitive layer, and a transparent cover sheet with an optional subbing layer (2).After exposure a delamination step is performed thereby giving rise to a positive and a negative metal image. In a most preferred embodiment the metal layer is a bismuth layer.

Abstract: This invention is a surface modifying element comprising a photosensitive layer on one side of a carrier substrate. The photosensitive layer comprises a photosensitive binder material and particulates. The invention is also a method of using the surface modifying element to create a receiver having imagewise variation in glossiness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of: (a) image-wise or information-wise exposing a photosensitive imaging element comprising on a hydrophilic surface of a support a hydrophobic photosensitive layer contiguous to said hydrophilic surface, comprising (i) a photosensitive acid precursor and (ii) a hydrophobic polymeric binder and (b) developing said exposed imaging element by the steps of: (i) laminating before or after said exposure an uppermost layer of said imaging element to a receptor layer and (ii) peeling away the receptor layer from the hydrophilic surface of the support thus transferring said hydrophobic photosensitive composition patternwise to the receptor layer, characterized in that said hydrophobic photosensitive layer comprises as photosensitive acid precursor a non-ionic photosensitive precursor of a sulphonic acid or a non-ionic photosensitive precursor of an optionally partially esterified phosphonic acid or a non-ionic pho

Abstract: An image-forming material comprises;a support; anda release layer, a sensitive coloring layer, an overcoat layer containing a release agent, remains on the sensitive coloring layer side when the protective film is peel away, and a protective film disposed successively in this order on the support.

Abstract: A photosensitive sheet is composed of a plastic film, a subbing layer for nonelectrolytic plating provided thereon consisting of a hydrophilic resin having swelling property and fine particles of a metal or a metallic compound, a nonelectrolytically plated layer provided on the subbing layer and the photoresist layer provided on the nonelectrolytically plated layer. A metal pattern is performed by the steps of: exposing patternwise to light the photoresist layer of the photosensitive sheet, developing the exposed photoresist layer to form a resist pattern on the nonelectrolytically plated layer; forming an electrolytically plated layer on the nonelectrolytically plated layer in the area having no resist; superposing the photosensitive sheet on a substrate; and separating the plastic film from the substrate, keeping both the resist pattern and the electrolytically plated layer on the substrate, to form a metal pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: A peel-developable lithographic printing plate is comprised of a substrate, a hydrophilic layer comprising a polymeric acid overlying the substrate, a radiation-sensitive image-forming layer overlying the hydrophilic layer and a stripping layer that is strippably adhered to the image-forming layer. The image-forming layer is comprised of a photo-polymerizable composition comprising a polymeric binder, a plurality of addition-polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated compounds at least one of which possesses phosphorus-derived acidic functionality and a photopolymerization initiator. After imagewise exposure of the plate to activating radiation, the stripping layer is peeled from the image-forming layer with only the unexposed regions of the image-forming layer adhering thereto so as to reveal the underlying hydrophilic layer and thereby form a lithographic printing surface.

Abstract: Unique laser ablation transfer ("LAT") imaging technique presenting options of flexibility and versatility hitherto alien to LAT imaging science ("LATIS"), comprises LAT imaging onto special or conventional intermediate receptor elements, characteristically onto adhesive face surface thereof, and then laminating, notably hot laminating under pressure, the intermediate receptor thus imaged onto any one of a very wide variety of ultimate receptor substrates; thus produced are, e.g., original full-color prints or proofs, photomasks, monochrome or multichrome transparencies, and the like, having smooth or matte protective durable overcoatings.

Abstract: An image receiving sheet having a support sheet, an intermediate layer and an image receiving layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a polymer and a plasticizer having at least one ester bonds and molecular weight of 700 to 3,000. Otherwise, an image receiving sheet having a support sheet and an image receiving layer wherein the image receiving layer comprises a polymer and the plasticizer. A heat sensitive ink sheet has a heat sensitive ink layer which is formed of a heat sensitive ink material comprising colored pigment and thermoplastic resin such as amorphous organic polymer. An image forming method is conducted by using the heat sensitive ink sheet and one of the image receiving sheets by area gradation by the use of a thermal head or laser beam.

Abstract: A photosensitive material for the production of offset printing plates which contains a) a coating base which is composed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and is suitable for offset printing, b) a hydrophilic coating containing an organic polymer and a free-radical-polymerizable compound and having a coating weight in the range from 0.001 to 1 g/m.sup.2, c) a photopolymerizable coating containing (1) a polymeric binder, (2) a free-radical-polymerizable compound and (3) a compound or a combination of compounds which is capable of initiating the polymerization of the compound (2) on exposure to actinic radiation, and d) a transparent covering sheet, the adhesion of the photopolymerizable coating (c) to the hydrophilic coating (b) and/or the covering sheet (d) being altered by exposure. The material is processed to form the printing plate by imagewise exposure and peeling the covering sheet (d) together with the unexposed areas of the coating (c) off the coating base (a) ("peel apart").

Abstract: Disclosed is a color image-formable material for forming and transferring a color image. The color image-formable material has a support, a cushion layer provided on the support and color light-sensitive layer containing a light-sensitive composition and a coloring agent provided on the cushion layer. It gives a transferred image by forming a color image portion by imagewise exposure and developing treatment and then transferring the color image portion alone to an image-receiving material. The cushion layer has a hardness of 40 to 85 and a thickness of 15 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m. A process for preparation of the color image-formable material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides new image forming methods. The image forming methods use a combination of a light-sensitive material and an image receiving material. The light-sensitive material comprises a support, a strippable layer and a light-sensitive polymerizable layer in order. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer contains silver halide, a reducing agent and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable compound or a cross-linkable polymer. The light-sensitive polymerizable layer may further contain a colorant. An image forming method using the light-sensitive polymerizable layer containing no colorant comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a toning step and a transferring step. Another image forming method using the colorant-containing light-sensitive polymerizable layer comprises an exposing step, a developing step, a removing step and a transferring step.

Abstract: Imaging elements are prepared by a method in which an image is generated on a donor element and then transferred from the donor element to a receiver element by the steps of lamination and peeling. The donor element comprises a support, an image-forming layer and optional release and adhesive layers and the image is formed by imagewise laser-induced thermal ablation of the image-forming layer. The method is particularly useful for the preparation of lithographic printing plates as it avoids the need to employ alkaline developing solutions.

Abstract: A thickened processing solution containing inert particles can be used in lamination processing to insure even processing.

Abstract: A method of making black matrix grid lines for a color filter array for use with a liquid crystal display device or the like, comprising providing a photo-thermally sensitive black layer over a support layer; exposing a pattern of electromagnetic radiation onto the photo-thermally sensitive black layer corresponding to the desired pattern of the black matrix grid lines; and peeling off the unexposed portions of the photo-thermally sensitive black layer to thereby form the grid lines.

Abstract: A light-sensitive material for producing color-test films for multi-color printing is disclosed. The material has (A) a transparent flexible base film of a plastic, (B) a photopolymerizable layer containing (B1) a polymeric binder, (B2) a compound polymerizable by a free-radical mechanism, (B3) a compound capable of initiating the polymerization of (B2) under the action of actinic light, and (B4) a dye or a colored pigment in one of the basic colors of multi-color printing, and (C) a thermoplastic adhesion layer on the light-sensitive layer is described. A polymer of a vinyl alkyl ether is present in at least one of the layers (B) and (C). The material is processed by lamination to an image-receiving material, with subsequent exposure and peeling-apart of base film and image-receiving material. The unexposed layer areas remain together with the adhesion layer on the image-receiving material. These steps are repeated with at least one further part-color image.

Abstract: Radomes having complexly curved, frequency selective surfaces are made with a high degree of precision to assure part-to-part uniformity in electrical performance using a three-dimensional conformal mask and a precision etch process. The mask has a transparent substrate and a patterned opaque layer on the substrate. We expose photosensitive material overlying a thin film metal layer (generally deposited on a dielectric) through the mask. Metal exposed by patterning the photosensitive material is etched with a CuCl.sub.2 and chloride salt solution, and the remainder of the layer of photosensitive material is removed to complete the patterning.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition which comprises, as essential components:(A) a polymer having carboxyl group(s) and hydroxyphenyl group(s), or (A') a polymer having carboxy group(s) and (A") a polymer having hydroxyphenyl group(s),(B) a compound having at least two vinyl ether groups in the molecule, and(C) a compound which generates an acid when irradiated with am actinic ray, and which is useful as a positive type photoresist having high resolution and excellent formability of fine image pattern, a material for printing, etc.; and a process for pattern formation using said composition.

Abstract: A conformal mask permits the manufacture of precision frequency selective surfaces (FSS) that have patterns on complexly curved surfaces. These FSSs are used in precision radomes. The mask has a transparent substrate and a patterned opaque layer on the substrate. The layer may be patterned by laser ablation. Alternatively, the patterning of the opaque layer can be accomplished by applying a layer of photosensitive material over the opaque layer and then defining temporary and permanent areas thereof. The temporary areas of the photosensitive layer and the opaque layer are removed sequentially to define the transparent portions of the mask. Parts are made by intimately mating the mask and a part body to which a layer of metal and a layer of photosensitive material have been applied, and exposing the part to radiation through the mask.

Abstract: A method for engraving and/or etching comprising the steps of: (a) a process for exposing, to light, a layer of a water-soluble resin composition of a laminated photo-sensitive film which comprises a supporting sheet, a image mask-protection layer peelablly adhered to the supporting sheet and a layer of a water-soluble resin composition having photocrosslinkability to thus cause crosslinking of the exposed area of the resin layer to thereby form a predetermined pattern on the resin layer; (b) a process for dissolving out the non-crosslinked portion of the layer of the water-soluble photo-sensitive resin composition by developing the layer with water to thus from an image-carrying mask which is constituted from the crosslinked area of the photo-sensitive resin composition remaining on the image mask-protection layer; (c) a process for adhering the photo-sensitive laminate film on which the images are formed to the surface of a material to be processed; (d) a process for peeling off the supporting sheet from th