Abstract: A cyanine compound of formula (I), an optical filter containing the cyanine compound, and an optical recording material containing the cyanine compound which is used to form an optical recording layer of an optical recording medium: 1

Abstract: Infrared absorbing compounds that absorb at 800 nm±50 nm and at 1050 nm±50 nm, the two different regions of the infrared spectrum typically used for imaging, are disclosed. Thermally imageable elements that comprise these infrared absorbing compounds can be imaged with radiation in either of these two regions of the infrared spectrum. The elements are especially useful as lithographic printing plate precursors.

Abstract: An image-forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet comprising a support and an image-receiving layer and; a thermal transfer sheet comprising a support, alight-to-heat conversion layer and an image-forming layer, wherein an outermost surface of the side of the thermal transfer sheet in which the image-forming layer is provided has a scratch resistance of from 50 g to 200 g at the time that the surface is scratched with a stylus having a radius of curvature of 0.25 mm at a velocity of 1 cm/sec and a method using the image-forming material.

Abstract: There is provided a negative radiation-sensitive composition, which is suitable for exposure of a far ultraviolet light comprising a wavelength 193 nm of ArF excimer-laser, freed from causes of resolution deterioration such as swelling due to permeation of a developer and residual of a resist film between lines of the pattern, and capable of forming a high resolution pattern. The radiation-sensitive composition comprises a polymer of an acrylic acid ester having a &ggr;-hydroxycarboxylic acid in its ester moiety and a photo-acid generator.

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: An optical recording medium includes a recording layer, a first dielectric layer disposed on the side of a light incidence plane through which the laser beam enters with respect to the recording layer, a second dielectric layer disposed on the side opposite to the light incidence plane with respect to the recording layer, a heat radiation layer disposed on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the first dielectric layer and a reflective layer disposed on the side opposite to the light incidence plane with respect to the second dielectric layer, the recording layer containing a phase change material represented by an atomic composition formula: SbaTebGecMnd, where a is equal to or larger than 57 and equal to or smaller than 74, c is equal to or larger than 2 and equal to or smaller than 10, d is equal to or larger than 5 and equal to or smaller than 20, (a+d) is equal to or larger than 74 and equal to or smaller than 81 and a/b is equal to or larger than 2.9 and equal to or smaller than 4.

Abstract: A description is given of a laser-engravable recording material for producing relief printing plates, in particular for producing flexographic printing plates, comprising a dimensionally stable support and a recording layer comprising silicone rubbers and inorganic ferrous solids and/or carbon black as absorbers for laser radiation; of processes for producing relief printing plates by laser engraving such recording materials; and of relief printing plates having a printing relief comprising silicone rubbers and inorganic ferrous solids and/or carbon black.

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: Laser-engravable flexographic printing elements including a thermally crosslinked, elastomeric, laser-engravable relief-forming layer E are made by producing a multilayer composite which has at least a two-layer composite formed of a depot layer D and an uncrosslinked precursor layer V for the relief-forming layer E which is directly adjacent to the depot layer D. Optionally, the multilayer composite may include further layers, such as support foils or films and/or protective films. The precursor layer V most preferably includes at least one elastomeric binder, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and, optionally an absorber for laser radiation and/or further additives. The depot layer D most preferably includes at least one elastomeric binder, and at least one thermally decomposing polymerization initiator and, optionally, an absorber for laser radiation and/or further additives.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording medium which is excellent in the recording sensitivity and suitable for the high speed recording. Thus, the present invention is an optical recording medium comprising a substrate and a laser-writable and readable recording layer provided thereon, wherein said recording layer contains a chelate dye comprising two or more azo compounds having different structures and a divalent or more metal ion, and said azo compounds are a selected from azo compounds represented by the following general formula (I) and the general formula (II).

Abstract: Imageable elements with improved dot stability are disclosed. The imageable elements comprise a layer of an imageable composition over a support. The imageable composition comprises an infrared absorbing compound, an acid generator, an acid activatable crosslinking agent, a polymeric binder, and about 0.01 wt % to 1 wt % of an added onium compound. The elements may be thermally imaged and developed to produce images useful as lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Infrared absorbing compounds in which both the anion and the cation absorb infrared radiation, imageable elements that contain these compounds, and methods for forming images using the imageable elements are disclosed. The compounds have the structure: in which Y1 and Y2 are each independently hydrogen, halo, alkyl, diphenylamino, or phenylthio; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently hydrogen, methyl, or SO3−, with the proviso that two of R1, R2, R3, and R4 are SO3−; R5 and R6 are each independently an alkyl group; Z1, Z2, Z4, and Z5 are each independently a benzo group or a naphtho group; Z3 and Z6 are each independently two hydrogen atoms, a cyclohexene residue, or a cyclopentene residue; X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently S, O, NH, CH2, or C(CH3)2; and n1 and n2 are each independently 0 to 4.

Abstract: A phase-change optical information recording medium capable of recording information therein, reproducing recorded information therefrom, rewriting recorded information, and erasing recorded information therefrom, which phase-change optical information recording medium is provided with a recording layer containing therein a phase-change recording material including Ge, Ga, Sb, Te, and one element selected from the group consisting of Mg and Ca, which recording material is capable of performing a reversible phase transition from a noncrystalline phase to a crystalline phase and vice verse with the application of an electromagnetic wave thereto.

Abstract: There was found a metallocenyl-phthalocyanine or its metal complex of a divalent metal, oxometal, halogenometal or hydroxymetal, in which at least one of the four phenyl rings of the phthalocyanine contains, bound via a bridge unit E, at least one metallocene radical as substituent, E being composed of a chain of at least two atoms or atom groups selected from the group consisting of —CH2—, —C(═O)—, —CH(C1-C4alkyl)—, —C(C1-C4alkyl)2—, —NH—, —S—, —O— and —CH═CH—, as well as mixtures of the novel compounds which comprise, inter alia, isomers, a process for the production, the use and recording media comprising the novel compounds.

Abstract: A negative-working heat-sensitive material for making a lithographic printing plate by direct-to-plate recording is disclosed. The material comprises in the order given a lithographic base having a hydrophilic surface, an oleophilic imaging layer and a cross-linked hydrophilic upper layer which comprises an organic compound derived from sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or phosphonic acid. Materials according to the invention are characterized by an increased water-acceptance in the non-printing areas, which allows a rapid start-up of the press.

Abstract: An optical disc is includes a recording layer, a reflective layer, and a protective layer provided, in that order, on one surface of a light-transmissive substrate and a hard coating layer having a thickness in the range of 1 to 5 &mgr;m on the other surface of the substrate. The hard coating layer is formed by applying and curing a solution comprising a hard coating agent containing colloidal silica and a UV-curable acrylic resin and a solvent containing propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate as a principal constituent. The hard coating layer contains 110 mg/cm3 or less of residual solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive composition including an infrared absorbing agent, a sulfonium salt polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound, a binder polymer and a compound having a weight average molecular weight of 3000 or less and having at least one carboxylic acid group, as well as a planographic printing plate precursor containing the photosensitive composition in a photosensitive layer on a substrate.

Abstract: A directly imageable planographic printing plate that is high in image productivity and easy to check is produced by using a directly imageable planographic printing plate that comprises at least a substrate, a thermo-sensitive layer and a ink-repelling layer in this order, wherein the thermo-sensitive layer in the printing area contains a dye that has an absorption maximum in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm, and the difference between the reflected absorption of the non-printing area and the reflected absorption of the printing area, observed at the absorption maximum wavelength of the dye, is not less than 0.3 and not more than 2.0.

Abstract: There are provided an optical disc that can be made highly-reliable by suppressing the occurrence of drawback such as warp and an optical disc manufacturing method that can make it possible to manufacture a highly-reliable optical disc with excellent work efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive composition including an infrared absorbing agent, a sulfonium salt polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound having a urethane skeleton and a binder polymer, as well as a planographic printing plate precursor containing the photosensitive composition in a photosensitive layer on a substrate.

Abstract: The direct-write pulsed UV laser technique combined with the variable laser exposure fabrication method entails the precise variation of the laser irradiance during pattern formation in the photostructurable glass for variable laser exposing processing. The variable laser exposure patterning utilizes the dependence of the chemical etching rate on the controlled laser exposure dose for forming variable laser irradiated and crystallized regions of the exposed glass, that have variable etch rates that are dependent on the laser irradiance, resulting in the formation of high and low aspect ratio features in a common substrate that are realized during a single, maskless etch step.

Abstract: A plastics film is provided which is filled with a filler, has diffuse reflective properties and is coated with a coating containing a photosensitive organic compound. The film is useful in the production of information storage devices by combining it with a perforated mask disposed on the side of the film which bears the coating.

Abstract: An optical disk has a substrate, a first protective layer formed on the substrate, a recording layer formed on the first protective layer, a second protective layer formed on the recording layer, and a reflective layer formed on the second protective layer. The recording layer includes a composition expressed as (SbxTe1-x)aGebInc in which atomic ratios are 0.77≦x≦0.84, 0.85≦a≦0.95, 0.01≦b≦0.10 and 0.01≦c≦0.10 where a+b+c=1.

Abstract: Optical information-recording media comprise a first transparent substrate through which a laser beam enters, a first information-recording layer deposited on the first transparent substrate, a first reflection film formed on the first information-recording layer, an intermediate layer deposited on the first reflection film, a second information-recording layer formed on the intermediate layer, a second reflection film deposited on the second information-recording layer, and a second substrate provided on the second reflection film. The recording film of each of the first and second information-recording layers has a main composition represented by (GeTe)xSb2−yInyTe3, and its composition ratio is within ranges of 0.04≦y<2 and 4≦x≦8.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical recording medium including a step of coating a dye solution on a substrate by a spin coating method to form a dye recording layer, wherein the substrate is rotated at a rotation speed of 400 rpm or higher during a period from the beginning to the end of the supply of the dye solution.

Abstract: An optical information-recording medium which contains a dye having at least two chromophores bonded to each other without any conjugated bond intervening between those chromophores.

Abstract: A novel optical recording material is provided, which is capable of recording and reading an information signal by utilizing a change in the double refraction caused by a change in the molecular orientation of a side-chain type polymer liquid crystal which has an electrocyclic-reaction-type photochromic compound (or a residue thereof).

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises an image forming layer containing at least one polymer compound having a fluoroaliphatic group on the side chain, wherein the fluoroaliphatic group is derived from a fluoroaliphatic compound produced by a telomerization or oligomerization method.

Abstract: “Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable media unreadable and tamper-resistant. A method has steps of (a)providing the media with a readout surface layer that is non-flat (i.e., texture in some way, such as by embossing, scratching, depositing a non-flat layer or regions, such as droplets) and that inhibits optical readout of the media; (b) applying a coating layer to the non-flat surface layer to smooth the non-flat surface and to enable optical readout of the media; and, after an initiation of a readout period, (c) removing the coating layer so as to expose the non-flat readout surface layer, thereby inhibiting optical readout of the media. Preferably, the coating layer is substantially index matched to the readout surface layer.

Abstract: A lithographic process comprises the steps of imagewise heating a presensitized lithographic printing plate and removing an unheated area of an image-forming layer to form a lithographic printing plate. The presensitized lithographic printing plate comprises a hydrophilic support and the image-forming layer. The image-forming layer contains a compound or a polymer having o-quinodimethane structures or precursor structures thereof. The lithographic printing plate is prepared by a reaction of the o-quinodimethane structures.

Abstract: An initialization method in which a phase change optical recording medium is initialized with a laser beam having a power density of from 15 to 22 mW/&mgr;M2 at a linear velocity of from 8 to 12 m/s. The phase change optical recording medium is formed of a transparent substrate having a guide groove on the surface thereof, a first protective layer, a recording layer, a second protective layer and a reflective layer. The recording layer material may be represented by the following composition formula: Ag&agr;X&bgr;Sb&dgr;Te&egr;Ge&ggr;, wherein X is at least one of Ga, In, Tl, Pb, Sn, Bi, Cd, Hg, Mn, Dy, Cu and Au, and &agr;, &bgr;, &dgr;, &egr;, and &ggr; have units of atomic % and satisfy particular relationships.

Abstract: A high-density readable only optical disk with a large storage capacity includes a substrate with pits, and one or more mask layers with a super resolution near field structure, which are made of a mixture of a dielectric material and metal particles. The optical disk can be obtained without decreasing the wavelength of a laser diode or increasing the numerical aperture of an objective lens.

Abstract: Diffractive optical structures are written within crystal optical elements using ultrafast near-infrared laser pulses. The crystal optical elements preferably perform an optical function such as focusing or chromatically dispersing light. The diffractive optical structures within the crystal optical elements perform additional optical functions that augment or refine the functions performed by the crystal optical elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel trimethine cyanine dyes, light absorbents, light-resistant improvers, and optical recording media which comprise the trimethine cyanine dyes. The cyanine dyes exert satisfactory solubility and heat resistance when used in high-density optical recording media.

Abstract: A method for making a relief printing plate from an imageable lithographic printing plate precursor. The relief printing plate has ink-receptive cured areas, and ink-repellent non-image areas. The method comprises the steps of: a) imaging the lithographic printing plate precursor to produce ink-receptive image areas and ink-repellent non-image areas; b) applying a curable composition to form a coating on ink-receptive image areas; and c) curing the coating to produce ink-receptive cured areas. The method of another embodiment further comprises the steps of: d) applying a curable composition to form a coating on ink-receptive cured areas; e) curing the coating on the cured areas; and f) repeating steps d) and e) to attain a desired relief depth for the ink-receptive cured areas. In the practice of an embodiment of the invention, a modified rotary printing press may be employed to make a relief printing plate from a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: A method for using an excimer laser to pattern electrodeposited photoresist on a sloped surface of a wafer substrate includes depositing a layer of photoresist on top of a substrate that includes a sloped surface and scanning an excimer laser beam over the layer of photoresist to expose the layer of photoresist in a desired pattern. The scanning step includes projecting the excimer laser beam in a small beam spot onto the substrate and scanning the small beam spot of the excimer layer beam relative to the substrate to define the pattern sequentially onto the substrate, including the sloped surface.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a substrate and a recording layer in which data can be recorded by projecting a laser beam thereonto, the recording layer including a first recording film containing an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Mg, In, Zn, Bi and Al as a primary component and a second recording film containing Cu as a primary component and 10 to 30 atomic % of Al as an additive.

Abstract: A description is given of a phase-change optical data storage medium (20 having a recording stack (2) with a recording layer (6) and a metal reflective layer (3) comprising at least one transparent layer (4, 8) of the material indium tin oxide (ITO). Use of an ITO layer (4, 8) in the recording stack (2) improves the cooling behavior of the recording layer (6) combined with good optical contrast. Thus, higher possible data rates are achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printing plate material comprising a substrate and provided thereon, a component layer comprising a hydrophilic layer and an image formation layer, the hydrophilic layer being provided closer to the substrate than the image formation layer, wherein the hydrophilic layer contains an electron providing dye precursor, the image formation layer contains an organic electron accepting developing agent, and the component layer contains a light heat conversion material.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising, a polymerizable compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group, a metallic arene compound, and an acid generating agent, wherein, the polymerizable compound is a multifunctional acrylate compound containing an amide bond and a secondary or tertiary amine group in the molecule, and the acid generating agent is a compound containing a trihalomethyl group, a dihalomethyl group or a dihalomethylene group.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor capable of forming an image upon irradiation with an infrared laser comprising a support, a first layer containing as the main component an alkali-soluble resin and a second layer containing as the main component an alkali-soluble resin that is different from the alkali-soluble resin contained as the main component in the first layer in this order, and at least one of the first layer and the second layer contains a mixture comprising at least two kinds of infrared absorbing agents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming an image on a light sensitive planographic printing plate material comprising a hydrophilic support and provided thereon, a light sensitive layer containing an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, a polymer binder, and a sensitizing dye having an absorption maximum in the wavelength regions of from 390 to 430 nm, the minimum laser exposure amount necessary to form an image on the material being from 1.

Abstract: Copy-protected optical medium utilizing a composition comprising a transient optical state change security materials capable of changing optical state when exposed to a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 660 nm and an electron transfer agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a limited play optical storage media and a method for limiting access to data thereon. This storage media comprises: an optically transparent substrate; a reflective layer; an oxygen penetrable UV coating disposed on a side of the substrate opposite the reflective layer; and a reactive layer disposed between the UV coating and the substrate, the optical storage media having an initial percent reflectivity of about 50% or greater and a subsequent percent reflectivity of about 45% or less.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a substrate and a plurality of recording layers laminated via at least intermediate layers, at least one of the recording layers other than a recording layer farthest from a light incidence plane among the plurality of recording layers containing at least one metal M selected from a group consisting of Ni, Cu, Si, Ti, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, In, Sn, W, Pb, Bi, Zn and La and an element X which can combine with the metal M upon being irradiated with a laser beam for recording data, thereby forming a crystal of a compound of the element X with the metal M. According to the thus constituted optical recording medium, it is possible to record data in and reproduce from a farthest recording layer from a light incidence plane in a desired manner and it is possible to record data in and reproduce from recording layer(s) other than the farthest recording layer from the light incidence plane in a desired manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a limited play optical storage media and a method for limiting access to data thereon. This storage media includes a first substrate; a reflective layer; a data storage layer disposed between said first substrate and said reflective layer; a reactive layer comprising at least one reactive material disposed on said at least one reflective layer; an optically transparent second substrate disposed between the reactive layer and a laser incident surface of the optical storage media; and an oxygen permeable barrier layer disposed between the reactive layer and a laser incident surface of the optical storage media, said reactive layer having an initial percent reflectivity of about 50% or greater and a percent reflectivity of about 45% or less after exposure to oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming method using an image recording apparatus that includes a laser irradiating means for laser scanning of a photothermographic material that has a support and includes on at least one surface thereof a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, and a conveying means for guiding the photothermographic material in a sub-scanning direction to a thermal development unit, wherein the reducing agent is a specific bisphenol compound. The invention also provides another image forming method including carrying out thermal development, with an interval time equal to or less than 12 seconds, of the photothermographic material.

Abstract: A method of colouring a polymeric material containing a) a latent acid, b) a colour former and c) optionally further ingredients by irradiation with UV-light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable media unreadable. The method includes steps of (a) providing the media with an optically activated mechanism that degrades the reflectivity of a surface wherein information is encoded; (b) exposing the media to optical radiation for reading out the information; and, during the step of exposing, (c) initiating the operation of the optically activated mechanism. In this embodiment the step of initiating includes steps of (d) generating singlet oxygen in a layer disposed on the media; and (e) reacting the singlet oxygen with a metal-containing layer for oxidizing the surface of the metal-containing layer, thereby degrading the reflectivity of the surface. In a further aspect the optically activated mechanism causes a defocusing of a readout beam, thereby degrading reflection of the readout beam from a surface wherein information is encoded.

Abstract: A photothermographic material, including a support; an image forming layer provided on the support and containing a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent, and a binder; and a silver-saving agent. Silver iodide is contained in the photosensitive silver halide in an amount of 40 to 100 mol %.