Photopolymer

Phase Materials. Phase holograms can be recorded in a large variety of materials, the most popular of which are dichromated gelatin, photopolymers, thermoplastic materials, and photorefractive crystals. Dichromated gelatin and some photopolymers require wet processing, and thermoplastic materials require heat processing. Photorefractive crystals are unique in that they are considered to be real-time materials and require no after-exposure processing. 

Photopolymers and photothermoplasts are mentioned only in connection with holographic data storage (see Holography). The classical method of optical data storage in silver haUde films (photographic film, microfiche technique) is not discussed (see Photography). 

Materials. For holographic information storage, materials are required which alter their index of refraction locally by spotwise illumination with light. Suitable are photorefractive inorganic crystals, eg, LiNbO, BaTiO, LiTaO, and Bq2 i02Q. Also suitable are photorefractive ferroelectric polymers like poly(vinyhdene fluoride-i o-trifluorethylene) (PVDF/TFE). Preferably transparent polymers are used which contain approximately 10% of monomeric material (so-called photopolymers, photothermoplasts). These polymers additionally contain different initiators, photoinitiators, and photosensitizers. 

When exposed to light, the monomeric material in the photopolymers or photothermoplasts polymerizes, thus locally increasing density and index of refraction. A subsequent fixation process polymerizes the monomer throughout the polymer matrix. 

AH attempts to develop photopolymers or photothermoplasts suitable for fast and reversible recording and read-out of volume-phase holograms, however, have not gained commercial appHcation. The most important characteristics of materials for holographic information recording are Hsted in Table 4 (158). 

Letterpress. This is the oldest printing process stiU in use. It continues to be replaced by newer printing processes. Printing is conducted from a raised image area of the printing plate. Inks in the printing process are transferred directly from a raised area to a substrate. The printing plates contain a thick layer of photopolymer (often a mixture with polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) deposited over a plastic or aluminum base. 

Printing is conducted with a printing plate similar to letterpress. However, the chemistry of the photopolymer is somewhat different in order to... 

The dry-processed, peel-apart system (Fig. 8b) used for negative surprint apphcations (39,44) is analogous to the peel-apart system described for the oveday proofing apphcation (see Fig. 7) except that the photopolymer layer does not contain added colorant. The same steps ate requited to produce the image. The peel-apart system rehes on the adhesion balance that results after each exposure and coversheet removal of the sequentially laminated layer. Each peel step is followed by the apphcation of the appropriate process-colored toners on a tacky adhesive to produce the image from the negative separations. The mechanism of the peel-apart process has been described in a viscoelastic model (45—51) and is shown in Figure 8c. 

Fig. 10. Photopolymer plate stmcture and process of use A, upon exposure to laser light, V B, upon heating to 120°C and C, after development, rinsing,...

Flexographic Printing Plates. There are three primary types of flexographic printing plates molded mbber, soHd-sheet photopolymer, and hquid photopolymer. 

Newer technology involves aqueous-processible photopolymer plates. Many plate-makers and printers are eager to switch to water processing in order to eliminate volatile organic solvents. The chemistry and process of use are similar to that of the solvent-processible plate except that in the aqueous plate, the elastomer has pendent carboxyl, hydroxyl, or other water-soluble groups to allow aqueous processing. 

Photopolymerization reactions are widely used for printing and photoresist appHcations (55). Spectral sensitization of cationic polymerization has utilized electron transfer from heteroaromatics, ketones, or dyes to initiators like iodonium or sulfonium salts (60). However, sensitized free-radical polymerization has been the main technology of choice (55). Spectral sensitizers over the wavelength region 300—700 nm are effective. AcryUc monomer polymerization, for example, is sensitized by xanthene, thiazine, acridine, cyanine, and merocyanine dyes. The required free-radical formation via these dyes may be achieved by hydrogen atom-transfer, electron-transfer, or exciplex formation with other initiator components of the photopolymer system. 

Typical of the temporary or manufacturing aid coating systems is the RISTON dry film photoresist for printed circuit (PC) board fabrication. This was the first of these systems developed. The RISTON product stmcture and the basic steps in its use are shown in Figure 2. It consists of a photopolymer sheet laminated between a Mylar cover sheet and a polyolefin separation sheet. It is manufactured as a continuous web (see Coating PROCESSES, survey), and is suppHed in roUs of varying width and photopolymer composition. 

Methods are used to produce the more costly rapid prototypes include those that produce models within a few hours. They include photopolymerization, laser tooling, and their modifications. The laser sintering process uses powdered TP rather than chemically reactive liquid photopolymer used in stereolithography. Models are usually made from certain types of plastics. Also used in the different processes are metals (steel, hard alloys, copper-based alloys, and powdered metals). With powder metal molds, they can be used as inserts in a mold ready to produce prototype products. These systems enable having precise control over the process and constructing products with complex geometries. 

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