Microfilm by laser transfer printing

Abstract

Laser transfer printing of high resolution microfilm has been achieved. Volatile dyes were transferred from a Mylar substrate into a plastic receiver substrate. The carrier and receiver were held in contact by a simple vacuum chuck. The 70-mW He-Ne laser beam was focused onto the carrier, where it was absorbed, heating the dye and causing it to vaporize. The vapor condensed on and diffused into the plastic receiver substrate.