PHOTODELAMINATION IMAGING - A NEW APPROACH IN DRY PROCESSING.

Photodelamination imaging produces visible or latent images through selective imagewise delamination of polymeric or inorganic layer(s). The process consists of two steps: (1) imagewise exposure and (2) removal of the delaminated layer. Generation of gas during exposure causes selective delamination of the overlaying layer(s). The delaminated image may be transferred to various substrates according to use. The remaining layer may also be used as a positive duplication of the original transparency. Characteristics of image formation are: (1) contact exposure to UV light source; (2) visibile image upon exposure; (3) permanent image formation upon removal of cover sheet without additional treatment; and (4) a high contrast image with high optical density.