Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate precursor and a lithographic printing method using the lithographic printing plate precursor, which is capable of an image recording by infrared laser scanning and an on-press development and excellent in fine line reproducibility and press life while maintaining good on-press developing properties, the lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: a support; and an image recording layer capable of being removed by a printing ink and/or a fountain solution, in which the image recording layer comprises an infrared absorber and a graft polymer having a specific graft chain.

Abstract: Acid-catalyzed positive resist compositions which are imageable with 193 nm radiation (and possibly other radiation) at low energy levels are obtained using a polymer having acrylate/methacrylate monomeric units comprising a low activation energy moiety preferably attached to a naphthalene ester group. The resist allows the performance benefit of acrylate/methacrylate polymers with low activation energy for imaging thereby enabling improved resolution and reduced post-exposure bake sensitivity. The resist polymer also preferably contains monomeric units comprising fluoroalcohol moiety and a monomeric units comprising a lactone moiety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the laser inscription of a flexible inner support layer of a multilayered support unit, which is distinguished by the fact that the laser inscription of the inner support layer is carried out through one or more flexible outer laser-inactive support layers which are separate or can be separated from one another.

Abstract: Photoacid generators (PAGs) comprising photoactive moieties and perfluorinated, multifunctional anionic moieties (or incipient anionic moieties) are disclosed which provide photoacids with high acid strength, low volatility and low diffusivity. The present invention further relates to photoacid generators as they are used in photoinitiated or acid-catalyzed processes for uses such as photoresists for microlithography and photopolymerization.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a die suitable for producing an optical panel having an optical pattern (e.g. dots or lines) integrally formed on at least one side of the optical panel, which is, for example, an edge light panel or a light diffusion panel, which is used in a backlight or front light for a liquid crystal display, and various illuminators such as electric signs. According to the present invention, there are provided an optical-panel molding die for integrally forming an optical pattern on at least one side of an optical panel, which comprises a metal substrate and a molding pattern corresponding to said optical pattern and formed of a photosensitive heat-resistant resin on one side of the metal substrate, the whole of the surface having the molding pattern of the metal substrate being covered with a layer of said heat-resistant resin; a process for producing the die; and a process for producing an optical panel by using the die.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patterned substrate and methods of forming patterns on a substrate, in which a thermally sensitive composition composed of an inorganic nanopaste is applied onto a surface of a substrate to form a layer. The layer may be imaged and developed to form a pattern area that adheres to the surface of the substrate. The patterned substrate may be used in the production of printing plates and masks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an image on a printing plate, in which a nanopaste is imagewise ink-jet applied onto a surface of a substrate. The layer is then treated to form an image area. The method is useful in the formation of printing plates and radiation opaque masks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a presensitized plate, comprising: an aluminum plate having an aluminum purity of not less than 99 wt %; and a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of said aluminum plate, wherein a fatigue fracture strength of the presensitized plate after a heat treatment at 300° C. for 7 minutes is not less than 75% of the fatigue fracture strength thereof before the heat treatment. The presensitized plate is excellent in efficiency and stability of a roughening treatment, and is capable of preventing generation of fatigue fracture of the lithographic printing plate during printing even if a burning treatment has been made on lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: A positive working thermal imaging assembly comprising: A) a substrate; and B) a thermally sensitive imaging element of a composite layer structure comprising: (I) a first layer on the substrate of a polymeric material soluble in aqueous alkali solution, optionally containing compounds that absorb and convert light to heat and/or a coloured dye or pigment; said first layer being converted at its surface by treatment with solutions at elevated temperatures that contain an active compound or compounds capable of rendering said first polymeric material less soluble in an aqueous alkali developer at the point of contact; the first layer being oleophilic; (ii) optionally, a first intermediate layer between the substrate and the said first layer with a second polymeric material which is soluble or dispersible in aqueous solution optionally containing compounds that absorb and convert light or radiation to heat and/or a coloured dye or pigment coated from a solvent that does not substantially dissolve the first laye

Abstract: An imaging member, such as a negative-working printing plate or on-press cylinder, has an imaging layer comprised of a thermally sensitive compound and a photothermal conversion material. The thermally sensitive compound comprises a heat-activatable bisulfite adduct and can be a polymer or a small molecule compound. In the imaging member, the thermally sensitive compound reacts to provide increased hydrophobicity in areas exposed to energy that provides or generates heat. The imaging layer is considered “switchable” and can be used to provide a lithographic printing image without traditional alkaline wet processing.

Abstract: An improved digitally imageable relief printing element having an increased direct-cure imaging speed upon exposure to lasers and other digital sources of actinic radiation. The printing elements of the invention comprise a reflective layer beneath a photosensitive resin layer so that instead of being absorbed by the reflective layer, photons of actinic radiation are reflected back up into the photosensitive layer, thereby speeding up the curing rate of the printing element.

Abstract: A negative resist composition is disclosed, wherein the resist composition includes a polymer having at least one fluorosulfonamide monomer unit having one of the following two formulae: wherein: M is a polymerizable backbone moiety; Z is a linking moiety selected from the group consisting of —C(O)O—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —O—C(O)—C(O)—O—, or alkyl; P is 0 or 1; R1 is a linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbons; R2 is hydrogen, fluorine, a linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbons, or a semi- or perfluorinated linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbons; and n is an integer from 1 to 6.

Abstract: This invention relates to the controlled two-dimensional structural transition of a dipole monolayer at a metal, semi-conducting or insulating interface. The dipole monolayer consists of objects/molecules with a permanent electric dipole moment. A transition between the structures of the molecular layer can be performed locally and reversibly by applying an electrical field and the structures/patterns can be reversibly switched many times between two different structures/states. Both of the two structures, the ordered and the disordered structures, are intrinsically stable without the presence of the switching electrical field. This controlled switch of the local layer structure can be used to change layer properties (i.e., mechanical, electrical, optical properties). The controlled reversible modifications of the dipole monolayer structures are usable as bit assignments in data storage applications for example.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising an aluminum substrate, an image-recording layer and a hydrophilic film, the aluminum substrate being subjected to an electrochemical surface-roughening treatment in an aqueous solution comprising hydrochloric acid and provided with the hydrophilic film having a heat conductivity of 0.05 to 0.5 W/mK and/or at least one of a density of 1,000 to 3,200 kg/m3 and a porosity of 20 to 70%; and a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising an aluminum substrate, an image-recording layer and a hydrophilic film, the aluminum substrate having a surface-roughened shape comprising a small pit wherein an average opening size of the small pit is 0.01 to 3 ?m and a ratio of an average depth of the small pit to the average opening size is 0.1 to 0.5, and being provided with the hydrophilic film having a heat conductivity of 0.05 to 0.5 W/mK and/or at least one of a density of 1,000 to 3,200 kg/m3 and a porosity of 20 to 70%.

Abstract: This invention relates to laserable assemblages for use in laser-induced thermal transfer imaging which result in improvements in resolution and toughness in the transferred image when two binders differing in glass transition temperature are incorporated into the transfer layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing high-surface area texturing of a substrate using methods by which material from a substrate is subtracted from or added to the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the method is a subtractive lithographic method that involves exposing a laser-ablatable substrate, such as a polymeric or ceramic substrate, to laser light. A mask may be used to define the pattern of light incident on the substrate. High-surface area textured substrates, in particular, miniaturized planar analysis devices having high-surface area textured features, prepared by the methods disclosed herein are also provided. A method by which the high-surface area textured substrate or the miniaturized planar analysis device is used as a master from which replicate copies thereof may be made is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing laser-engravable flexographic printing elements on flexible metallic supports comprising a cross-linked elastomeric layer and an absorber for laser radiation. The invention also relates to a method for producing flexographic printing plates by means of laser engraving using flexographic printing elements of the aforementioned type, and to flexographic printing plates produced using such a method.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed, comprising a metal support having formed thereon an anodic oxide film, and an image-forming layer containing a light-to-heat converting agent, or a light-sensitive layer capable of image-forming with infrared laser exposure provided in this order from the support.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having provided thereon (A) an ink-receiving layer and (B) a hydrophilic layer comprising 80 to 99 parts by weight of a colloidal particulate oxide or hydroxide of at least one element selected from a group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, titanium, boron, germanium, tin, zirconium, iron, vanadium, antimony and a transition metal, and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a polyacrylic acid having a weight-average molecular weight of more than 50,000, and at least one of the ink-receiving layer and the hydrophilic layer including a light-heat converting agent.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising (A) a substantially alkali-insoluble polymer having acidic functional groups protected with acid labile groups, which becomes alkali soluble upon elimination of the acid labile groups, (B) a photoacid generator, and (C) a nonionic fluorinated organosiloxane compound consisting of perfluoroalkyl-containing siloxane bonds and polyoxyethylene type polyether bonds is exposed to UV having a wavelength of at least 150 nm and developed with an alkaline solution to form a pattern without leaving scum.

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 process for producing a lithographic printing plate by on-press developing a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor having on a metallic base in this order (1) an ink-receptive layer, (2) a hydrophilic layer containing colloidal particles of an oxide or hydroxide of at least one element, e.g., silicon or aluminum, and (3) a hydrophilic overcoat layer capable of being removed on a printing machine, which includes: rotating a plate cylinder having attached thereto the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor which has been exposed; subsequently supplying an ink and a dampening water to the plate surface by simultaneously bringing a dampening roll and an inking roll into contact with the plate surface or by bringing a water-metering roll into contact with an inking roll and then bringing the inking roll, which functions also to dampen, into contact with the plate surface; and thereby removing the overcoat layer and the exposed parts of the hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: This present invention discloses a photopolymerisable mixture comprising a polymer binder, a radically photopolymerisable component containing at least one photooxidisable group, a polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate containing 2 or more ethylene glycol units, a photoreducible dye and a metallocene. This mixture can be used for preparing high-speed light-sensitive recording materials showing a particularly high resolution, especially for small negative types.

Abstract: Disclosed is planographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having disposed thereon an image forming layer containing a fluorine macromolecular compound having a structural unit derived from a monomer represented by the following general formula (I). In the general formula (I), R0 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a cyano group or a halogen atom. X represents a single bond or a divalent connecting group. R1 to R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a fluorine atom or an alkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom. Further, at least one of R1 to R6 represents a fluorine atom or an alkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom.

Abstract: A copper clad metal printing plate can be coated with an azide-containing photoresist comprising a polyformal resin together with a modified polyformal resin that has up to 100% of its hydroxyl groups converted to carboxyl groups, an organo azide and a photosensitive dye that absorbs light at the frequency of a patterning laser and converts it to heat energy. This de-crosslinks the resin that has been exposed to the laser light. Preferably the photoresist is flood exposed with ultraviolet light prior to laser exposure. The photoresist becomes soluble in the laser-exposed areas, exposing the underlying copper after development. The printing plates are completed by etching away the copper in the exposed areas, removing the remaining photoresist, thereby providing a patterned copper layer on the printing plate.

Abstract: Making a high absorption donor substrate for providing one or more OLED materials to an OLED device by: providing an absorber anti-reflection layer over a transparent support element, the anti-reflection layer having the real portion of its index of refraction greater than 3.0, and a thickness near the first reflectivity minimum at the wavelength of interest; providing a metallic heat-absorbing layer over the anti-reflection layer for absorbing laser light which passes through the transparent support element and the anti-reflection layer; and selecting the transparent support element, the anti-reflection layer, and the metallic heat-absorbing layer to have an average reflectivity of less than 10%, and the micro reflectivity variation due to variations in the thickness of the transparent support element of less than 10% at the wavelength of interest; and providing one or more organic material layers in the absence of a binder material, over the metallic heat-absorbing layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to Positive working thermal imaging assembly comprising: A) a substrate; and B) a thermally sensitive imaging element of a composite layer structure comprising: (i) a first layer on the substrate of a polymeric material soluble in aqueous alkali solution, optionally containing compounds that absorb and convert light to heat and/or a coloured dye or pigment; said first layer being converted at its surface by treatment with solutions at elevated temperatures that contain an active compound or compounds capable of rendering said first polymeric material insoluble to aqueous alkali developer at the point of contact ; the first layer being oleophilic; (ii) optionally, a first intermediate layer between the substrate and the said first layer with a second polymeric material which is soluble or dispersible in aqueous solution optionally containing compounds that absorb and convert light or radiation to heat and/or a coloured dye or pigment coated from a solvent that does not substantially disso

Abstract: A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic method for producing microcomponents with component structures in the submillimeter range. According to the inventive method, a structured adhesive layer is applied to a metal layer and then a photostructured epoxy resin layer is applied to said adhesive layer. Said epoxide resin is structured by means of selective exposition and removing the unexposed zones and filling in the gaps between the resin structures with metal by electroplating. The aim of the invention is to provide an adhesive layer that is suitable for photostructured epoxy resins, especially for SU-8 resist material and that prevents the resist material from being detached. To this end, the adhesive layer consists of polyimide or a polyimide mixture.

Abstract: The optical recording medium has a substrate (1) with a recording layer (2), a reflecting layer (3) and a protecting layer (4) laminated successively on the substrate (1). The reflecting layer (3) is a thin film of an alloy containing 99.7 to 73.0% by weight of Cu as a major component, as well as, 0.2 to 18.0% by weight of Ag and 0.1 to 9.0% by weight of Ti. The reflecting layer has a film thickness of 50 nm to 150 nm. The optical recording medium provided with the reflecting layer (3) shows improved corrosion resistance and also retains high reflectance. The present invention also provides a target for forming the reflecting layer (3).

Abstract: Positive-working thermally imageable elements, useful as printing plate precursors and having reduced ablation when thermally imaged, and methods for their preparation are disclosed. In one aspect, the elements contain a hydrophilic substrate, an underlayer, a barrier layer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a photothermal conversion material.

Abstract: A photoimageable composition suitable for use as a negative photoresist comprising about 75% to about 95% by weight of at least one epoxidized polyfunctional bisphenol A formaldehyde novolak resin; about 5% to about 25% by weight of at least one polyol reactive diluent; and at least one photoacid generator in an amount from about 2.5 to about 12.5 parts per hundred parts of resin and reactive diluent, which initiates polymerization upon exposure to near-ultraviolet radiation; dissolved in a sufficient amount of coating solvent.

Abstract: A presensitized plate in which an image recording layer is formed on a support for a lithographic printing plate obtainable by performing a treatment with an aqueous solution containing one or more divalent or multivalent cations at a concentration ranging from 0.0001 mol/L to less than 0.020 mol/L is excellent in both scum resistance and press life when processed into a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to improved photomask blanks used in photolithography for the manufacture of integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices, and more specifically, to the detection of defects in such photomasks after processing. In particular, the present invention is directed to a photomask blank having one or more intermediate layers made from materials having a higher extinction coefficient at the inspection tool wavelength than exposure tool wavelengths. The intermediate layer(s) are made from materials that absorb a sufficient amount of light to meet the optical requirements of inspection tools while at the same time transmit a sufficient amount of light to meet the optical requirements of exposure tools. As a result, the photomask improves inspection results of a photomask without sacrificing transmission properties during the semiconductor writing process.

Abstract: Described are imprint lithography templates, methods of forming and using the templates, and a template holder device. An imprint lithography template may include a body with a plurality of recesses on a surface of the body. The body may be of a material that is substantially transparent to activating light. At least a portion of the plurality of recesses may define features having a feature size less than about 250 nm. A template may be formed by obtaining a material that is substantially transparent to activating light and forming a plurality or recesses on a surface of the template. In some embodiments, a template may further include at least one alignment mark. In some embodiments, a template may further include a gap sensing area. An imprint lithography template may be used to form an imprinted layer in a light curable liquid disposed on a substrate. During use, the template may be disposed within a template holder.

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: A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated. Alternatively, the printing plate may include a printing member with an initial affinity for a printing fluid that changes to another affinity to printing fluid upon treatment with radiation.

Abstract: A thinner for rinsing photoresist including 50 to 80 wt. % of n-butyl acetate, propylene glycol alkyl ether, and propylene glycol alkyl ether acetate, is provided. The thinner is neither toxic to humans nor ecologically undesirable and has no unpleasant odor. The waste solutions thereof and associated waste water are easily handed so as to render this thinner environmental friendly. Additionally, the photoresist thinner of the present invention has excellent rinsing ability.

Abstract: This invention discloses an anti-charging layer for beam lithography and mask fabrication. This invention reduces beam displacement and increases pattern placement accuracy. The process will be used in the beam fabrication of high-resolution lithographic masks as well as beam direct write lithography of electronic devices. The anti-charging layer is formed by the use of metal films bound to metal ligating self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as discharge layers.

Abstract: A thermosensitive composition consisting of a mixture of polyacrylic acid, a salt of a long chain fatty acid such as silver behenate, an infra-red absorbent and modifiers such as additional polymers and fillers. Both the water solubility and affinity to water and oil changed when composition is heated.

Abstract: Graft copolymers are used for the production of laser-engravable relief printing plates, the graft copolymers being obtained by free radical polymerization of vinyl esters in the presence of polyalkylene oxides and subsequent hydrolysis of the ester function. Processes for the production of transparent flexographic printing plates by means of laser engraving using said graft copolymers are described.

Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.

Abstract: A lithographic printing precursor for lithographic offset printing comprises, a layer of imageable medium on a hydrophilic base. The imageable medium comprises hydrophobic polymer particles in an aqueous medium, a substance for converting light into heat, and a non-crosslinkable aqueous-soluble composition. The lithographic printing precursor may be used to make lithographic printing surfaces that obtain long run lengths on lower quality paper and in the presence of press-room chemicals. The lithographic printing precursor can be imaged and developed on-press and the imageable medium can also be sprayed onto a hydrophilic surface to create a printing surface that may be processed wholly on-press. It can also be processed in the more conventional fully off-press fashion. The hydrophilic surface can be a printing plate substrate or the printing cylinder of a printing press or a sleeve around the printing cylinder of a printing press. The cylinder can be conventional or seamless.

Abstract: The invention is a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor comprising: at least a heat insulating layer, a heat sensitive layer, and an ink repellent layer that are provided in that order on a substrate, wherein a transmittance of the heat insulating layer for a light having a wavelength within a range of 400 to 650 nm is at most 15% over the entire range of the wavelength. The invention provides a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor that allows measurement of the dot area ratio on the printing plate with a densitometer or the like.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: an aluminum support; an interlayer; and a photosensitive layer in this order, wherein the aluminum support is surface-roughened and has an anodic oxide coating, the interlayer comprises a compound comprising a di- or more valent metal element, and the photosensitive layer comprises an infrared absorbent, a radical generator and a radical polymerizable compound.

Abstract: Polymer materials are described that undergo a 2-level 3 dimensional crosslinking process. During this process, hydrophilic polymers are crosslinked at two levels, the first results in a low level of crosslinking which leads to a toughening of the layer preventing dissolution by the fountain solution but with the layer remaining hydrophilic. The second level of crosslinking is higher and is the result of exposure to a laser diode thermal imaging device. The crosslinking at this second level results in a loss of hydrophilicity and provides instead an oleophilic image capable of accepting and transferring oil based ink. The polymer materials are particularly useful in lithographic printing systems where they may used in articles such as a printing plate comprising a substrate having coated thereon a layer that becomes that becomes less hydrophilic upon exposure to thermal energy (e.g.

Abstract: A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated.

Abstract: A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing laser-engravable flexographic printing elements on flexible metallic supports comprising a cross-linked elastomeric layer and an absorber for laser radiation. The invention also relates to a method for producing flexographic printing plates by means of laser engraving using flexographic printing elements of the aforementioned type, and to flexographic printing plates produced using such a method.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat-sensitive imaging material for making lithographic printing plates which require no processing. The heat-sensitive imaging element comprises on a lithographic base having a hydrophilic surface a metallic or metal oxide layer and on top thereof an oleophobic oleophilic polymeric layer having a thickness of less than 5 &mgr;m and comprising a polymer containing phenolic groups.