Imaging medium and process for producing an image
US5441850A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03F7/0045
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has a unprotonated form and a protonated form, the protonated form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the unprotonated form. The superacid precursor is capable of being decomposed to produce superacid by radiation in a second wavelength range, but is not, in the absence of the sensitizing dye, capable of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition by unbuffered superacid to form a second acid. While at least part of the sensitizing dye is protonated, the medium is imagewise exposed to radiation in the first wavelength range, thereby causing, in the exposed areas of the acid-generating layer, the formation of unbuffered superacid. The medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed areas, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.