Photothermoplastic recording: a method of colour imaging based on a pre-developing storage technique

Abstract

A method of colour image recording on photothermoplastic media (PTPM) is described which consists of the recording of optical data by storing a total array of colour-divided components with subsequent development. Vitreous chalcogenide semiconductors are used as a photosensitive layer of PTPM. The exposure duration for each colour-divided component is set to be long enough to produce photo-induced changes in the properties of the semiconductor layer. Under heating in the field of a corona discharge, surface relief is formed on the thermoplastic layer.