Donor films with pattern-directing layers
View Patent ↗Laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) donor films, and methods of preparing them, having a substrate, a light-to-heat conversion layer, and a pattern-directing layer. The pattern-directing layer can include patterns of self-assembled monolayer regions, hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, positively or negatively charged regions, or a series of raised or recessed features. It can also be used to generate charge patterns and magnetic patterns. The pattern-directing layer causes patterning of a transfer layer applied to it, resulting in a templated transfer layer. When imaged, the LITI donor film transfers at least a portion of the templated transfer layer to a permanent receptor while maintaining the pattern substantially intact in the transferred portion.
1. A method of preparing a patterned laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) donor film, comprising:
providing a substrate having a surface and a light-to-heat conversion layer applied to the surface of the substrate; and
applying a pattern-directing layer to the light-to-heat conversion layer, wherein the pattern-directing layer causes patterning of a transfer layer applied to the pattern-directing layer, wherein at least a portion of the transfer layer is capable of transfer to a permanent receptor, without substantial transfer of the pattern-direction layer, and wherein a pattern of the transfer layer in the transferred portion remains substantially intact on the receptor subsequent to the transfer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying step includes applying a pattern of self-assembled monolayer regions to the light-to-heat conversion layer.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying step includes applying a pattern of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions to the light-to-heat conversion layer.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying step includes applying a pattern of positively charged or negatively charged regions to the light-to-heat conversion layer.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes applying a charge pattern to the light-to-heat conversion layer.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes applying a magnetic pattern to the light-to-heat conversion layer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying step includes applying a pattern of raised or recessed features to the light-to-heat conversion layer.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the applying step includes applying a pattern of nanostructured features.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the applying step includes applying a pattern of microstructured features.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes generating a pattern of spatially varying optical properties.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes generating a pattern of spatially varying mechanical properties.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes generating a pattern of spatially varying chemical properties.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes generating a pattern of spatially varying electrical properties.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying an interlayer between the light-to-heat conversion layer and the pattern-directing layer.
15. A patterned laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) donor film comprising:
a substrate having a surface;
a light-to-heat conversion layer applied to the surface of the substrate; and
a pattern-directing layer applied to the light-to-heat conversion layer, wherein the pattern-directing layer causes patterning of a transfer layer applied to the pattern-directing layer, wherein at least a portion of the transfer layer is capable of transfer to a permanent receptor without substantial transfer of the pattern-directing layer, and wherein a pattern of the transfer layer in the transferred portion remains substantially intact on the receptor subsequent to the transfer.
16. The LITI donor film of claim 15 , wherein the pattern-directing layer comprises a pattern of self-assembled monolayer regions.
17. The LITI donor film of claim 15 , wherein the pattern-directing layer comprises a pattern of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.
18. The LITI donor film of claim 15 , wherein the pattern-directing layer comprises a pattern of positively charged or negatively charged regions.
19. The LITI donor film of claim 15 , wherein the pattern-directing layer comprises a pattern of raised or recessed features.
20. The LITI donor film of claim 19 , wherein the features are nanostructured features.
21. The LITI donor film of claim 19 , wherein the features are microstructured features.
22. The LITI donor film of claim 15 , wherein the pattern-directing layer generates a pattern of spatially varying optical properties.
23. The LITI donor film of claim 15 , further comprising an interlayer applied between the light-to-heat conversion layer and the pattern-directing layer.