Light-sensitive heat-sensitive composition and recording material comprising same and image formation process using same

摘要

A novel light-sensitive heat-sensitive composition is disclosed, comprising a photohardenable composition, a dye which discolors upon reacting with a base, and a base precursor. A novel light-sensitive heat-sensitive recording material is also disclosed, comprising a support having provided thereon the above described light-sensitive heat-sensitive composition. In a preferred embodiment, the dye is a spectral sensitizing dye for the photohardenable composition. Furthermore, a novel image formation process is disclosed, comprising the steps of: (a) imagewise exposing the light-sensitive heat-sensitive recording material to light to cure the exposed portions of the recording material; and (b) uniformly heating the imagewise exposed recording material to discolor the dye in the unexposed portions thereof. A second image formation process is disclosed, comprising the steps of: (a) imagewise heating the light-sensitive heat-sensitive recording material to discolor the dye in the heated portions of the recording material; and (b) uniformly exposing the imagewise heated recording material to light to cure the unheated portions thereof.