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US4864537A
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Polymers and dye combinations and methods for their use in optical recording
Assignee: University of Utah
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Filing: 1985-11-05
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Granted: 1989-09-05
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Expires: 2005-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A polymer and dye combination suitable for use in optically recording information. The present invention includes a material which may exhibit the property of birefringence under selected conditions such as when stretched. This birefringence can be relaxed in localized areas by heating the localized areas. Incorporated within the material is a dye. The dye is selected so that it has a high optical density, or absorption maximum, in a specific range. This range may cover, for example, the wavelength of a gallium arsenide laser. Radiation with a wavelength within the selected range is the directed into the material at selected locations. This radiation is converted to heat, which in turn relaxes the birefringence in the localized areas or may cause other physical or chemical changes within the polymer. The localized relaxation of birefringence or other change can then be detected or "read." This allows information to be optically recorded on the polymer and subsequently detected and used.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef Michl
- 👤 Parvathi S. Murthy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/242; G11B7/244; G11B7/245; G11B11/00; G11B7/004; G11B7/007; G11B7/013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A polymer-dye system for use in recording information transmitted by an optical beam having a predetermined wavelength comprising: a birefringent polymeric material; and a dye incorporated within the polymeric material, the dye having a high optical density within a predetermined range of wavelengths corresponding to the wavelength of the optical beam such that birefringence induced within the polymeric material can be relaxed in localized areas by contacting those areas with light of the predetermined wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A polymer-dye system for use in recording information transmitted by an optical beam having a predetermined wavelength comprising: a birefringent polymeric material; and a dye incorporated within the polymeric material, the dye having a high optical density within a predetermined range of wavelengths corresponding to the wavelength of the optical beam such that birefringence induced within the polymeric material can be relaxed in localized areas by contacting those areas with light of the predetermined wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the dye is dissolved within the polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 2 wherein the dye is highly soluble in the polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the dye emits absorbed radiation primarily as heat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 700 nm to about 900 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 800 nm to about 880 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 815 nm to about 830 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein birefringence is induced within the polymeric material by stretching the material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 8 wherein the birefringence of the polymer material can be relaxed in localized areas by heating those localized areas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A polymer-dye system capable of use in recording information comprising: a polymeric material which exhibits birefringence when stretched, which birefringence can be relaxed in localized areas by heating those areas; and a dye dissolved within the polymeric material, the dye having a high optical density within a predetermined range of wavelengths such that when the polymer-dye system is exposed to radiation within the predetermined range of wavelengths heat is generated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A polymer-dye system capable of use in recording information comprising: a polymeric material which exhibits birefringence when stretched, which birefringence can be relaxed in localized areas by heating those areas; and a dye dissolved within the polymeric material, the dye having a high optical density within a predetermined range of wavelengths such that when the polymer-dye system is exposed to radiation within the predetermined range of wavelengths heat is generated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 10 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 700 nm to about 900 nm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 10 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 800 nm to about 880 nm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 10 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 815 nm to about 830 nm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 13 wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of: 1,1,5,5-tetrakis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-ol perchlorate and 1,5-di(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,5-diphenyl-2,4-pentadien-1-ol perchlorate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 14 wherein the polymeric material is a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 14 wherein the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for recording information comprising the steps of: obtaining a birefringent polymeric material; incorporating a dye within said polymeric material wherein the dye has a high optical density within a predetermined range; selecting locations on the birefringent material where it is desired to record information; and irradiating the selected locations with radiation having a wavelength within the range wherein the dye has a high optical density such that the birefringence of the material is modified at the selected locations such that information is recorded on the birefringent polymeric material.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for recording information comprising the steps of: obtaining a birefringent polymeric material; incorporating a dye within said polymeric material wherein the dye has a high optical density within a predetermined range; selecting locations on the birefringent material where it is desired to record information; and irradiating the selected locations with radiation having a wavelength within the range wherein the dye has a high optical density such that the birefringence of the material is modified at the selected locations such that information is recorded on the birefringent polymeric material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the dye comprises a polymethine dye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined in claim 18 wherein the birefringence of the material is changed by heat relaxation of the birefringence at the selected locations.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein birefringence is induced in said polymeric material by stretching the material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 700 nm to about 900 nm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the dye has a high optically density in the range of from about 800 nm to about 880 nm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the dye has a high optical density in the range of from about 815 nm to about 830 nm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the radiation used to irradiate the selected locations on the material is produced by a gallium arsenide laser.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the polymer comprises a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for recording information and reading information comprising the steps of: obtaining a polymeric material; incorporating a dye within the polymeric material, the dye having a high optical density within a predetermined range and the dye emitting absorbed radiation in the form of heat; inducing birefringence into the polymeric material by stretching the material; selecting locations on the birefringent material where it is desired to record information; striking the selected locations with radiation having a wavelength within the range of the high optical density of the dye such that heat is generated at the selected locations causing localized thermal relaxation of birefringence in the polymeric material; and detecting the locations at which birefringence has been relaxed.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for recording information and reading information comprising the steps of: obtaining a polymeric material; incorporating a dye within the polymeric material, the dye having a high optical density within a predetermined range and the dye emitting absorbed radiation in the form of heat; inducing birefringence into the polymeric material by stretching the material; selecting locations on the birefringent material where it is desired to record information; striking the selected locations with radiation having a wavelength within the range of the high optical density of the dye such that heat is generated at the selected locations causing localized thermal relaxation of birefringence in the polymeric material; and detecting the locations at which birefringence has been relaxed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the dye is a polymethine dye.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A polymer-dye system as defined in claim 1 wherein the dye is selected from the group consisting of 1,1,5,5-tetrakis (p-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,5-diphenyl-2,4-petadien-1,5-diphenyl-2,4-penadien-1-ol perchlorate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-04 | 1993-03-06 | 1993-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-04 | 1997-03-06 | 1997-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-04 | 2001-03-06 | 2001-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |