Abstract: The invention is method, and an apparatus for performing the method having the steps of providing a workpiece, generating a plurality of free electrons at a region of the exterior surface, and machining a portion of the workpiece adjoining the first region by directing laser energy onto the workpiece.

Abstract: A portable spectrometer system is disclosed for more reliable and convenient on-site drug testing. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a portable spectrometer system having a test strip having a fluorescent indicator, a fluorimeter, and a mobile computing device capable of determining the identity of an unknown substance in the sample.

Abstract: A method for producing a colored or fluorescent substrate with a view to formation of a colored or fluorescent image including the formation. The method defines on a substrate of a colored or fluorescent matrix, pixels of at least two different colors, wherein each pixel forms a filter for a given color. At least one filter is an interferential filter or a filter obtained with colored or fluorescent particles.

Abstract: An imageable material can be used to form a mask image for providing a relief image. This imageable material has a simplified structure and consists essentially of, in order: a transparent polymeric carrier sheet and a barrier layer comprising a first infrared radiation absorbing compound. A first ultraviolet radiation absorbing compound is provided in the transparent polymeric carrier sheet or the barrier layer. A non-silver halide thermally sensitive imageable layer is disposed on the barrier layer and comprises a second infrared radiation absorbing compound and a second ultraviolet radiation absorbing compound. A relief image is formed by imaging the imageable material to form an imaged mask material, exposing a relief-forming material with curing radiation through the imaged mask material to form exposed regions and non-exposed regions, and developing the imaged relief-forming material to form a relief image by removing its non-exposed regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for marking a substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for applying visual indicia to a substantially cementitious substrate in the form of a cementitious building product. The method comprising the steps of: irradiating a surface of said substantially cementitious substrate for a sufficient time and with sufficient energy to at least partially vitrify said surface thereby marking said substrate.

Abstract: A method of fusing two images includes adjusting contrast of (a) a visual image and (b) a thermal image. Also included is modifying the adjusted contrast of the thermal image to form output brightness levels, by using a transformation curve, and then displaying both (a) the brightness levels of the thermal image and (b) the adjusted contrast of the visual image. Modifying the adjusted contrast of the thermal image includes using a V-curve as the transformation curve, in which the V-curve includes similar maximum output brightness levels at the coldest and hottest relative temperatures, respectively. The V-curve also includes a minimum output brightness level at a midpoint between the coldest and hottest relative temperatures. Furthermore, the method assigns different hues to the intensity values of the thermal image, ranging from coldest to hottest relative temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CO2 laser-transparent material having a mark on the surface thereof and the method for making the same. The method includes the following steps: providing a first substrate, which has a top surface and a bottom surface; providing a second substrate which has a top surface; putting the bottom surface of the first substrate on the top surface of the second substrate; irradiating a CO2 laser beam to the top surface of the second substrate by passing through the top surface and the bottom surface of the first substrate; and forming a mark on the bottom surface of the first substrate. The material of the mark is oxide of the second substrate or the same as the material of the second substrate. Whereby the cheap CO2 laser is utilized to form the mark on the first substrate, and the mark can be erased easily by a proper chemical for recycling the first substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of a diacetylene compound as a color former wherein the diacetylene compound has one of general formulae (I) to (V). The invention also includes methods of imparting color to a material including a compound as defined above, which comprises subjecting the material to irradiation.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and/or a system of laser marking of an interior cavity of a securing means of a substance container is disclosed. In one embodiment, a solid-state laser marking system to mark a securing means of a substance container includes a semiconductor laser to emit a pumping laser beam. The solid-state laser marking system also includes a resonator to create the laser beam that is then focused through a lens to mark the securing means of the substance container having a maximum diameter of 5 cm. Further, the solid-state laser marking system includes a solid-state laser crystal doped with a rare-earth element, to produce a laser beam in response to being pumped by the pumping laser beam and a laser resonator. The laser resonator is configured to focus the laser beam of a spot size of less than 150 microns and a beam quality of M2 less than 1.3.

Abstract: A method for producing a color filter, comprising: applying to a substrate at least one diacetylene capable of undergoing a light-activated color change reaction, and exposing the substrate to light thereby causing the exposed regions of the substrate to change color. The invention also provides devices comprising colored filters such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A silver halide color photosensitive material, having, on a transparent support, at least one each of yellow-, cyan-, and magenta-color-forming photosensitive silver halide emulsion layers, and photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing a coupler that forms a dye having its absorption maximum at a wavelength longer than 730 nm upon reaction with an oxidized product of a developing agent, wherein the yellow-color-forming photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer contains photosensitive silver halide grains having an average grain size of 0.4 ?m or below and a silver chloride content of 95 mole % or above based on total silver in the grains, and wherein the photosensitive silver halide grains include photosensitive silver halide grains whose iodide ion concentrations have their maxima at grain surfaces and decrease gradually toward the interior of the grains; and a method of processing a silver halide color photosensitive material for use in film screening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a white, coextruded, oriented polyester film with a base layer (B) and with at least one outer layer (A), where the base layer (B) includes from 2 to 35% by weight, based on the weight of the base layer (B), of a whitening pigment and/or void-forming incompatible polymer, and from 0.01 to 15% by weight, based on the weight of the base layer (B), of pigment that absorbs laser energy. The outer layer (A) includes from 1.0 to 35% by weight (based on the weight of the outer layer (A) of whitening pigment and/or void-forming incompatible polymer, and this pigment and/or polymer is identical with or different from the pigment and/or polymer in the base layer (B). The invention further relates to processes for production of these films and to their use as laser-cuttable film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a white, coextruded, oriented polyester film with a base layer (B) and with at least one outer layer (A), where the base layer (B) includes a whitening pigment and/or void-forming incompatible polymer at a concentration of from 2 to 35% by weight (based on the weight of the base layer (B)), and from 0.01 to 15% by weight (likewise based on the weight of the base layer (B)) of a pigment that absorbs laser energy. The invention further relates to a process for production of these films and to their use as laser-cuttable and laser-inscribable film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein may be a photosensitive composition, a microfabricated structure including the same, a device including the microfabricated structure, and methods of fabricating the microfabricated structure and the device. The photosensitive composition, including a multifunctional photosensitive resin, a two-photon photosensitizer, an organic solvent, and a silver compound, may be subjected to two- or three-dimensional microfabrication, thus realizing the microfabricated structure containing silver nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for forming a bi-layer lift-off mask, including a hardened photoresistive stencil layer on a PMGI layer, for use in fabricating GMR read-head sensors with trackwidths of less than 0.1 microns and TMJ MRAM devices of similar critical dimensions. The stencil portion of the mask includes a narrow portion with sharply defined edge and corners which are formed, without rounding or extreme undercut, by a photolithographic process which includes the formation, in a first development process, of auxiliary pattern pieces over the corners of the stencil and a subsequent oxidation in ozone for removing those auxiliary pattern pieces and obtaining sharply defined edge and corners and a controlled dissolution of the PMGI layer.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing an EL element by photolithography, which process can produce an EL element having improved luminescence efficiency. The production process comprises the steps of removing a photoresist from photoresist layer-covered parts of an electroluminescent layer and cleaning the surface of the electroluminescent layer parts from which the photoresist has been removed.

Abstract: An ink formulation comprises a marking component, e.g. ammonium octamolybdate, and a metal salt that absorbs laser irradiation at 780-2500 nm, e.g. reduced indium tin oxide, and thereby causes the marking component to change colour.

Abstract: An image forming medium includes a substrate and an imaging layer coated on or impregnated into the substrate, where the imaging layer includes a photobase generator and coupling agent. In the image forming medium, irradiation of the imaging layer causes the photobase generator to generate base that reacts with the coupling agent to produce an image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biaxially oriented, heat-set, at least two-layer coextruded film formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene 2,6-naphthalate (PEN) that optionally includes additional comonomer-derived units. The film includes a base layer and at least one outer layer. The base layer includes a white pigment and a laser absorber which has been coated with a carbonizing polymer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing a security feature and a print medium which is equipped in that respect, which affords the possibility of not having to implement any change and in particular mechanical change in the surface of the card body. In that respect the substrate includes at least one change-over substance which by irradiation with light of a given wavelength experiences an irreversible change in color from a starting color to a final color, wherein the substrate in the initial condition is so irradiated with a controlled light beam of that wavelength, in particular a laser light beam that, due to the change in color caused thereby in the change-over substance, an image which can be recognized with the naked eye is produced within the volume of the substrate.

Abstract: A process for providing a security paper, in particular a banknote, with a coloured marking, comprising providing a photosensitive preparation on a portion of said document and submitting at least selected areas of said portion to a light beam, wherein said preparation is capable of forming a film on said portion and comprises a substance capable of producing colloidal metal particles under the effect of UV irradiation, and said areas are irradiated by means of an UV-light beam.

Abstract: A non-transparent microvoided biaxially stretched self-supporting non-laminated polymeric film, the film comprising linear polyester as a continuous phase and dispersed uniformly therein an amorphous high polymer with a higher glass transition temperature than the glass transition temperature of the continuous phase and/or a crystalline high polymer having a higher melting point than the glass transition temperature of said continuous phase, wherein said linear polyester consists essentially of aromatic dicarboxylate and aliphatic dimethylene monomer units; the polymeric film has an optical density measured in transmission with a visible filter; and at least 50% of the optical density is due to microvoids; the use of the non-transparent microvoided biaxially stretched film as a synthetic paper; an image recording element comprising the non-transparent microvoided biaxially stretched film; and a process for obtaining a transparent pattern therewith.

Abstract: A radiation image-able coating includes a curable polymer matrix, a metal complex disposed in the curable polymer matrix, wherein the metal complex is configured to form localized metallic particles when exposed to heat.

Abstract: A device as well as method for deactivating without developing an exposed lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The device comprises a structure for providing a deactivating agent that is capable of deactivating without developing the plate. The plate comprises on a substrate a photosensitive layer capable of hardening upon exposure to a radiation, and becoming incapable of or having reduced rate of hardening after contacting with a deactivating agent. The deactivated plate is safe or has better stability at room lighting, and can be handled under room lighting before and during development. The development can be on press with ink and/or fountain solution or off press with a liquid developer.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a shutter system constructed and arranged to mask out parts of a patterning device or a substrate from a beam of radiation. The shutter system includes at least one moveable shutter. The apparatus also includes a control unit arranged to receive information regarding the extent to which a patterned beam of radiation would extend across a periphery of the substrate when being projected onto the target region of the substrate. The control unit is configured to move the shutter by a predetermined amount to affect the parts of the patterning device or the substrate masked out from the beam of radiation if projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto the target portion would involve the patterned beam of radiation extending across the periphery of the substrate.

Abstract: A first embodiment discloses a method of forming a patterned resist layer for patterning a substrate. A resist layer is formed on or above a substrate. An inorganic layer is formed on the resist layer. The resist layer covered with the inorganic layer is lithographically exposed. The resist layer covered with the inorganic layer is patterned by etching, thereby forming a patterned resist layer.

Abstract: Compositions comprising photobleachable organic materials can be bleached by 193 nm light, and brought back to their original state by stimuli after exposure. (reversible photobleaching). We use these compositions in art-known contrast enhancement layers and as a part of a photoresist, especially in optical lithography processes for semiconductor fabrication. They may comprise polymers such as organosilicon polymers, polymers comprising polymers of aromatic hydroxyl compounds such as phenol and naphthol such as phenol formaldehyde polymers and naphthol formaldehyde polymers styrene polymers and phenolic acrylate polymers or cyclic materials comprising: where the radicals “R” and “Y” represent organo, or substituted organo moieties, Structures I, II, and III represent basic organic skeletons and can be unsubstituted or substituted in any available position with any one or combinations of multiple substituents.

Abstract: A liquid-type composition for forming a photosensitive polymer complex and a method of preparing a photosensitive polymer complex containing silver nanoparticles using the same are provided. The composition for forming a photosensitive polymer complex includes a multifunctional epoxy resin, a photoacid generator, an organic solvent and a silver compound, or additionally includes a multifunctional acrylate resin and a photoinitiator, or an additive, e.g., a surfactant or a flow improver. This composition is applied, selectively exposed, and developed, thus preparing a photosensitive polymer complex, which contains silver nanoparticles uniformly dispersed and formed in the polymer pattern portion thereof through photo reduction and is therefore improved in terms of physical or chemical properties, e.g., heat resistance and wear resistance.

Abstract: Polymer blend compositions that include diacetylene segments are provided. The polymers containing diacetylene segments are capable of a calorimetric indication in response to stimuli, such as heat, an analyte or exposure to certain environmental factors, despite being blended with other materials, such as polymers or additives.

Abstract: A method and device can be used for automatically generating at least one of a mask layout and an illumination pixel pattern of an imaging system in a process for the manufacturing of a semiconductor device. The mask layout is subdivided into a multitude of discrete tiles. A first dataset is generated and includes amplitude point spread function (APSF) values for a given imaging system for at least one defocus value z. A second dataset is generated and includes tile spread functions Vq(r), corresponding to mask tiles and illumination pixels. An intensity distribution I(r) is optimized in an image plane for the semiconductor device subject to a merit function by means of a stochastic variation by at least one of the group of the discrete mask tiles and the illumination pixels using the pre-calculated tile spread functions Vq(r) of the second dataset.

Abstract: A method for engraving a golf club head includes the steps of: a) applying a shielding layer on a surface of the golf club head; b) forming a predetermined patterning hole in the shielding layer by removing a part of the shielding layer; c) spraying an etching agent on the shielding layer so as to etch the surface of the golf club head through the predetermined patterning hole in order to form a patterning indentation in the surface; and d) removing the shielding layer from the golf club head.

Abstract: A process for forming a resist pattern comprises the steps of applying on a substrate to form a photosensitive resist layer a photosensitive composition comprising at least one photosensitive compound having, in the molecule, two or more structural units represented by C6R2-6—CHR1—OR7 or C6R2-6—CHR1—COOR7 where R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, at least one of R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is a nitro group, and others are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl, an alkoxy, a phenyl, a naphthyl, and an alkyl in which a part or the entire of hydrogen atoms are substituted by a fluorine atom, and R7 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene or naphthylene group dissolved in an organic solvent, irradiating the resist layer selectively with a radiation ray, and developing a portion irradiated by the ray to form a pattern of the resist layer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed that include directing electromagnetic radiation and/or heat to a structure, the structure including a substrate, a first layer, and a marking composition between the substrate and the first layer. At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation and/or heat is transmitted through the first layer and the structure is marked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure which is made of synthetic material with characteristics similar to or even better than those of cork and which can therefore be used in all applications in which a cork closure is normally used. In particular, the closure according to the present invention is a stopper for containers for wine or liquors. In particular, the present invention relates to a container closure made of an expanded elastomer by means of a thermal moulding method, characterized in that the expanded elastomer can be produced by means of a step of expansion by a supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A method and a medium for laser imaging is herein disclosed. The medium incorporates one or more types of microstructures having a predetermined heat or radiation modifiable optical characteristic such as color, scattering, diffusion, diffraction, interference and iridescence. Associated intimately with the microstructures is a radiation antenna that acts to absorb radiation from a radiation source. The radiation antenna and source are attuned to one another to efficiently transfer energy therebetween and subsequently to the microstructures; this transfer of energy results in the modification of an optical characteristic of the microstructures to form an image on the medium. The medium has one or more layers that may include both the radiation antenna and the microstructures. Alternatively, the microstructures and radiation antenna may be included in separate layers. Coatings that incorporate one or more layers that include distinct microstructures and radiation antennae are also contemplated.

Abstract: A process for forming an image on a substrate, which comprises coating the substrate with an amine of molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium that changes colour on heating or irradiation as an aqueous dispersion or suspension or as a solution in an organic solvent. Also described is a coated substrate, wherein the coating is a substantially visible light-transparent layer comprising an amine compound of molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium, and a solution of said amine compound and a thermoplastic polymer or a photo-polymerisable monomer.

Abstract: Imaging compositions and methods of using the compositions are disclosed. The imaging compositions are sensitive to low levels of energy such that upon application of the low levels of energy the compositions change color or shade. The compositions may be used in methods of marking.

Abstract: Imaging compositions and methods of using the compositions are disclosed. The imaging compositions are sensitive to low levels of energy such that upon application of the low levels of energy the compositions change color or shade. The compositions may be applied to a work piece to mark it and removed from the work piece by peeling.

Abstract: A component of an endoscope is a flexible tube which is composed of a helical coil, a reticular tube formed of a braided thin wires and provided over the helical coil, and an outer cover provided over the reticular tube. The outer cover is formed of a resin material containing TiNxOy (where, 0.1?x?1.0, 0?y?1.9) which is a color developing agent to be colored when irradiated with laser light. The flexible tube is provided with scale formed by the colored portion. The outer surface the outer cover is black or dark color before the irradiation with laser light, but thus formed scale is white or blight color having a whiteness of 60% or more.

Abstract: A composition includes a metal oxide particle, which can optionally be surface treated by a silane coupling agent, and an electron acceptor surface grafted to the metal oxide particle.

Abstract: Imaging compositions and methods of using the compositions are disclosed. The imaging compositions are sensitive to low levels of energy such that upon application of the low levels of energy the compositions change color or shade. The compositions may be applied to a work piece to mark it and removed from the work piece by peeling.

Abstract: High sensitive organic dye-in-polymer (DIP) medium for write-once-read-many (WORM) optical discs with fluorescent reading. The medium consists of a fluorescent color means, capable of absorbing writing radiation produced by a laser, a compound capable of generating free radicals upon influence of heat produced by the writing radiation and a polymer capable of producing a translucent film enabling high quantum yield of the fluorescence induced in the color means. The color means can be selected from xanthene dyes of the eosine and rhodamine groups, acridine, oxazine, azine, peylene, violanthrone, cyanine, phtalocyanine, indigoide colors and porphyries. The free radicals generating compound can be chosen from the group of compounds comprising azo and diazoi compounds or peroxyde compounds. The film producing polymer can be selected from the group of compounds comprising cellulose ethers, vinyl resins or acrylic resins.

Abstract: Thermally developable imaging materials have an outermost protective layer that is composed of one or more hydrophilic film-forming components. Between the outermost protective layer and the underlying thermally developable imaging layers is an interlayer containing a film-forming ionic latex polymer other than a carboxy-containing latex polymer. This ionic polymer can be negatively-charged or positively-charged. The ionic latex polymer is present as latex particles that have been prepared in the presence of a stabilizer in an amount of at least 0.5% (by weight) that has an HLB value of 7 to 20. The stabilizer becomes associated with the latex polymer particles. Both thermographic and photothermographic materials can be prepared with such protective layers.

Abstract: A method of marking a substrate includes contacting the substrate with a composition and contacting the composition with energy sufficient to produce a change in the composition that can be detected optically. In some embodiments, the change produces a white mark.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the colored inscription or marking of plastics and surface coatings, including powder coatings, in which a colorant is transferred into the plastic or surface coating by laser radiation with the aid of a laser light-absorbent substance.

Abstract: An element for forming a print-out image containing a substrate, which may be cellulose, having a first surface and a second surface; a dye forming composition on the first surface of the substrate; and a non-dye forming composition on the second surface of the substrate having at least one hydrogen donor compound.

Abstract: The laser beam ablatable film of the invention includes an ablatable metallic layer arranged below a translucent protective layer that is dyed through-out. The metallic layer is connected to a contrastive colored layer by a transparent connecting layer, and the contrastive colored layer is connected to a plastic film. The entire assemblage of laminated layers can also include a self-adhesive film applied to the plastic film and the self-adhesive layer is then covered by a removable carrier material. This laminated assembly can be stamped into individual labels that can be detached from the carrier material and placed onto objects. When the ablatable foil of the invention is subjected to a laser beam surface areas of the laminated assembly appear as a mixture of colors of letters or symbols resulting from the color filter effect of the protective film.

Abstract: A polarizing plate having a desired extinction ratio in a visible light region and light resistance against intense light, and a liquid crystal projector using the above polarizing plate are provided. A polarizing element includes a substrate transparent to visible light, and inorganic particle layers in each of which inorganic particles are linearly disposed, the inorganic particle layers being disposed on the substrate at predetermined intervals to form a wire grid structure, the inorganic particles each have an elliptical shape having a major axis of the inorganic particles in the disposed direction and minor axis in a direction perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A polarizing plate having a desired extinction ratio in a visible light region and light resistance against intense light, and a liquid crystal projector using the above polarizing plate are provided. A polarizing element includes a substrate transparent to visible light, and inorganic particle layers in each of which inorganic particles are linearly disposed, the inorganic particle layers being disposed on the substrate at predetermined intervals to form a wire grid structure, the inorganic particles each have an elliptical shape having a major axis of the inorganic particles in the disposed direction and minor axis in a direction perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A polarizing plate having a desired extinction ratio in a visible light region and light resistance against intense light, and a liquid crystal projector using the above polarizing plate are provided. A polarizing element includes a substrate transparent to visible light, and inorganic particle layers in each of which inorganic particles are linearly disposed, the inorganic particle layers being disposed on the substrate at predetermined intervals to form a wire grid structure, the inorganic particles each have an elliptical shape having a major axis of the inorganic particles in the disposed direction and minor axis in a direction perpendicular thereto.