Bilayer photosensitive imaging article

Abstract

Bilayer photosensitive imaging articles comprising a substrate coated with an image layer and a resist layer are disclosed. The substrate may be transparent, translucent or opaque to give imaging articles useful in different applications. The image layer which should be from about 0.3-3.0 microns in thickness includes an organic film-forming vehicle from the group of copolymers of the formula: ##STR1## where P is styrene, ethylene or methyl vinyl ether; m is 1-3; n is 1,10; X is OH, OHN.sub.2, ONH.sub.4, OR, ONH.sub.3 R, ONH.sub.2 R.sub.2, ONHR.sub.3, ONH.sub.3 RNH.sub.2, ONa, OK, OLi; R is an alkyl group in the range C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 optionally including a functional group such as ketone, alcohol, esther, ether alcohol or aryl; m=1-3, n=1-10; and the molecular weight is between 1,000-150,000. The image layer may also include a coloring medium. The resist layer, which should be from about 0.5 to about 2.0 microns in thickness, comprises a material which, upon exposure to actinic radiation, changes solubility with respect to a developer in which the imager layer is also soluble. The resist layer may be negative-working or positive working. In an important embodiment of the invention, the chemical composition and physical parameters of imaging articles particularly suited to the production of half-tone images capable of subsequent etching are disclosed. These imaging articles exhibit unexpectedly excellent exposure and development latitude accompanied by outstanding etchability.