| abstract |
(57) [Summary]nA laser addressable thermal imaging element comprising a bleachable photothermal conversion dye associated with a thermal imaging medium and a photoreducing agent for the dye. The photoreducing agent bleaches the dye upon laser addressing of the element. The imaging element may be in the form of a colorant transfer system, a release system, a light tackifier system, or a single molecule thermal fragmentation system. Also, a method of cross-linking a resin by laser irradiation is provided, but this method is useful for forming a colored image. |