Imaging media containing heat developable photosensitive microcapsules

Abstract

Photothermally sensitive recording sheets for color imaging are disclosed comprising a transparent support sheet having a thermal slip layer disposed on one surface of the support and a heat sensitive image layer on the opposite surface of the support. A second opaque (paper) or transparent (plastic) sheet is laminated to the color-producing layer. The image layer comprises photohardenable microcapsules containing a photopolymerizable or photocrosslinkable compound, a photoinitiator and a dye precursor and a developer material external to the microcapsules. Image-wise exposure of the recording sheet to actinic radiation causes selective photohardening of microcapsules sensitive to that radiation. Heating the resultant exposed recording sheet to a temperature well above the developer melting point by for example a thermal head allows the developer to selectively permeate the non-photohardened capsules resulting in the development of an image, including full color images. The recording sheets are suitable for use in high speed printing applications such as computer print out paper, battery operated printers for digital camera or personal digital assistance, labels, medical imaging, and color proofing films.