Stabilized infrared-absorbing cyanine donor element for laser-colorant transfer

摘要

A colorant-donor element for laser thermal transfer comprising a support having thereon a colorant layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a binder the colorant layer having associated therewith an infrared-absorbing cyanine colorant having a sulfonic acid group, the cyanine colorant having the following formula:wherein:each W independently represents the atoms necessary to form an optional 6-membered aromatic ring;each X independently represents sulfur or C(CH3)2;each Y independently represents an alkylene group having from about 2 to about 5 carbon atoms;Z is chlorine or an alkylsulfonyl group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; andeach R independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; andsaid colorant layer also containing a stabilizer comprising a phenoxy resin, a copolymer of vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/maleic anhydride or a copolymer of styrene/4-vinylpyridine.