BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process for coating a chromophore containing film onto a substrate, and preferably a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing an information recording medium employing a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base and a naphthalocyanine containing information layer, and a solvent solution for use in the process.

Description of the Prior Art

Optical recording methods in which light from the laser is focused upon the surface of a recording medium with sufficient intensity to cause a detectible change in the physical characteristics of the surface material have been proposed. Among these methods is the establishment of an information pattern of pits. The information recording media which have been used in such optical recording methods involve the writing of information in a thin film of metal or the like formed on a substrate. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,238,803. Dyes and pigments, however, have also been increasingly employed in the information layers of recording media, often to enhance the sensitivity of the recording layers at the particular wavelength of the laser being used, which results in a much sharper recording and reading of the information. For example, see U.S. Patent Nos. 4,622,179; 4,614,705; 4,605,607;

4,492,750; 4,529,688; 4,458,004; 4,298,975; 4,241,355; as well as European patent application No. 0188331.

The problems encountered in using chromophores in the information layers of optical media, among others, have generally involved difficult processing or film application problems. The dissolution of such chromophores in a suitable solvent has often been a problem which curtails the commercial expectations of a particular chromophore. Even when a suitable solvent has been found for the dissolution of a particular chromophore, however, problems have arisen with the casting of the chromophore solution onto a substrate. One of the biggest problems is the attacking of the substrate by the solvent. This has particularly been a problem with such suitable substrates as polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising substrates. These two substrates are becoming well established as the most preferred substrates for applications involving optical recording media in light of their excellent optical properties and stability.

In general, "attacking the substrate" refers to the solvent changing the properties of the substrate so that it is no longer as useful for its intended purpose. The solvent interferes with the function of the substrate by adversely affecting the integrity of the surface geometry of the substrate either physically or chemically. Generally, the solvent dissolves, swells or otherv .se adversely affects the substrate. Besides the obvious physical damage which can result to the substrate, damage to a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate containing substrate can also be more subtle, yet just as serious. The dissolving or swelling need not be major in order to result in a

poorly defined or "graded" interface between the chromophore film and the substrate. It has been found that such a graded interface results in lower reflectivity, as well as a very non-uniform and noisy reflectivity, as the laser beam is focused at the interface. It is desired, therefore, that a well defined, very sharp, interface be achieved, which generally leads to a very high, uniform reflectivity. It is also believed that unacceptable spectroscopic shifts in the optical properties of the information layer might be observed when a graded interface is created. This, of course, results in a loss of sensitivity since the information layer is therefore less precisely attuned to the laser wavelength. Moreover, chromophores become blended to a certain extent with the substrate through the attack or dissolution of the substrate, which results in a relative loss in sensitivity at the preselected laser wavelength vis-a-vis a pure chromophore layer precisely attuned to that laser wavelength.

Also, features such as holes, grooves, pits or bumps are generally molded into a substrate as preformat and tracking information. These features would be adversely affected by any swelling or partial obliteration resulting from the attack of a solvent. Such attacks cannot be tolerated, particularly in a commercialized process, as the preformatting and tracking information must survive the coating process. One answer to this problem of the solvent attacking the substrate has been to use a subbing layer or coating over the substrate. Thus, the information layer containing the chromophore is cast onto the subbing layer which protects the substrate from the solvent used in formulating the chromophore solution.

However, this involves the costly step of providing a subbing layer. Moreover, subbing layers are often designed to be very thin. Accordingly, pinholes often occur in the subbing layer, thereby allowing an attack of the substrate by the solvent in any event through the pinholes. Total protection of the substrate is therefore not always assured tnrough the use of a subbing layer. As well, there is always the potential of a reaction between the subbing layer and the recording layer if the subbing layer is not carefully selected. The subbing layer can also limit the lifetime of the recording medium if it does not have suitable stability characteristics comparable to the substrate and recording layer. Therefore, the presence of the subbing layer can be detrimental from an archival standpoint if not carefully selected.

The use of a subbing layer does not therefore necessarily provide an acceptable or desirable solution to the problem of solvent attack on a substrate, and particularly a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising substrate. For all of the aforementioned reasons, it would be most beneficial and desirable if a less complicated system was used which eliminated the necessity of a subbing layer. U.S. Patent No. 4,639,745 employs what is in effect a subbing layer as protection for the substrate, but refers to it as a recording layer. The patent discloses an optical information medium which comprises a substrate and a first recording layer formed thereon. The first recording layer comprises a light-sensitive material which has been dissolved in a solvent that does not adversely affect the substrate. A second recording layer is then formed over the first recording layer.

In any event, a manufacturing process would be much more attractive if the use of a subbing layer, or a second recording layer, could be avoided altogether, and the chromophore containing solution for forming the active recording layer is cast directly onto the substrate.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a process for coating a chromophore containing film directly onto a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base without interfering with the function of the substrate, i.e., so as to maintain the integrity of the surface geometry of the substrate.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process for manufacturing an optical recording medium wherein a naphthalocyanine chromophore containing solution is cast directly onto a substrate without adversely affecting the substrate. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method for manufacturing an optical recording medium, wherein the optical recording medium comprises a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a unique solvent system for use in coating a naphthalocyanine chromophore film onto a substrate, and most preferably a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate substrate. These and other objects, as well as the scope, nature and utilization of the invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objectives are realized by the present invention in providing a process for coating a smooth, homogeneous naphthalocyanine chromophore containing film directly onto a substrate material, such as a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base, which process employs a specific solvent solution of the chromophore. The process is comprised of the steps of: (i) providing a base, preferably a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base;

(ii) providing a solvent solution in which a naphthalocyanine chromophore is dissolved, the solvent comprising cyclohexane or cycloheptane, or a mixture of solvents including at least one of the foregoing compounds;

(iii) casting the solvent solution directly onto the base; and (iv) removing the solvent to yield a smooth, homogeneous naphthalocyanine chromophore containing film directly on the base.

In a most preferred embodiment, the process of the present invention is applied to the manufacture of an optical recording medium, the medium preferably comprising a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The process of the present invention involves first providing a suitable base, preferably a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base. Such a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base is particularly applicable to the manufacture of optical recording media, as polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate comprising bases have the mechanical and chemical properties which provide excellent substrates in optical media.

If a polycarbonate comprising base is employed, the polycarbonate base can be made from a composition which is totally a polycarbonate, or a blend or copolymer of a polycarbonate and another suitable polymer. For example, a polycarbonate can be blended with a polyvinyl aromatic polymer such as polystyrene, or a polyester, polyamide or polyacrylate. The polycarbonate can also be copolymerized, for example, as in U.S. Patent No. 4,680,374. As well, the polycarbonate can be chemically modified in various manners, e.g., by the addition of functional groups to the polymer chain. Additives, such as antioxidants, can also be used to supplement the polycarbonate. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,701,770. The most preferred type or grade of polycarbonate for use as the substrate in an optical recording medium is a "CD grade" polycarbonate, which is well recognized in the industry. See, e.g., "Molding Compounds for Optical Disk Substrates" by Kato et al, SPIE, Vol. 695, Optical Mass Data Storage II (1986). This grade of polycarbonate has particularly desirable optical properties, including excellent optical transmittance and a capability to

provide molded objects with low birefringence. Commercially, such grades of polycarbonates are available under the mark LEXAN and MAKROLON from General Electric and Mobay respectively. The polycarbonate used in preparing the substrate of an optical recording medium can be modified or supplemented as discussed above.

Similarly, if a polymethylmethacrylate comprising base is employed, the polymethylmethacrylate base likewise can be made from a composition which is totally a polymethylmethacrylate, or a blend or copolymer of polymethylmethacrylate and another suitable polymer. As well, the polymethylmethacrylate can be chemically modified, e.g., by the addition of functional groups to the polymer chain, or supplemented with the addition of additives, such as antioxidants. Other bases for which the present invention has particular applicability include polyolefin bases. A base comprised of poly(4-methylpentene) is most preferred due to its excellent physical and optical properties. Such polymer material is sold, e.g, under the trademark ZEONEX, as available from the Nippon Zeon Co.

A naphthalocyanine chromophore dissolved in a solvent is next provided in accordance with the present invention. The naphthalocyanine chromophore is generally dissolved in an amount sufficient to achieve the desired purpose of coating the base with the chromophore. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solvent solution is used in the preparation of an optical recording medium. The amount of naphthalocyanine chromophore dissolved in the solvent would therefore be an amount sufficient to provide a useful recording layer for optical recording.

The naphthalocyanine chromophore can be generally any suitable naphthalocyanine chromophore which has been found to have an application upon forming a coating on a substrate. Naphthalocyanine chromophores which are applicable in optical recording media applications, however, are most preferred. The most preferred chromophores are naphthalocyanine compounds which result in a smooth, homogeneous, defect-free, no-noise film upon casting onto a substrate.

Among the most preferred naphthalocyanine chromophores useful in the present invention are the naphthalocyanine chromophores of the following formula, containing the substituents as defined below:

wherein Y is Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Ga, In or a transition metal, more preferably Si or Ge, and most preferably Si;

Z is halogen, hydroxy, OR _! or 0Si _{2 3} R ₄ ,

wherein R± is an alkyl having at least four carbons; aryl having at least 6 carbons; acyl having at least 4 carbons; cycloalkyl having at least four carbons; or a polyether, and wherein R _2/ R ₃ and R ₄ can be the same or different and are alkyl having from 1 to about 18 carbons; aryl having from 6 to 10 carbons; cycloalkyl having at least 4 carbons; siloxy; or alkoxy having at least 3 carbons; with p representing the number of Z substituents and being either 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 1 or 2, and most preferably 2; and wherein the X substituents can be the same or different and are independently selected from halogen; alkyl having at least 4 carbons; aryl having from 6 to 10 carbons; acyl having at least 4 carbons; NRsR ₆ ; N0 ₂ ; OR ₇ ; SO ₃ -; or SO2NR5R5, with R ₅ and R ₆ being the same or different and being H; alkyl having from one to about 18 carbons; cycloalkyl having at least 4 carbons; aryl having from 6 to 10 carbons; or with R ₅ and R ₆ being taken together to form a heteroc- ^τ clic ring containing the N atom and containing from 4 zo 7 members, and wherein the X substituent is attached to the aromatic ring through the N atom when the substituent is NRsRg,

R7 is the same as ^ defined above, and with n and m indicating the number of independently selected X substituents, each n being the same or different and ranging from 0 to 4, and each m being the same or different and ranging from 0 to 2.

In the foregoing naphthalocyanine chromophores, when p is a value such that all of the valences of the central atom are not occupied with Z substituents, any other valence or valences of the

central atom can be occupied by any conventional single valence substituent, e.g., hydrogen, halide or hydroxy. It is preferred that there be at least one Z substituent in the naphthalocyanine chromophores of the present invention. Both types of substituents, however, X and Z, may be present. As well, two different Z substituents can be present.

The foregoing naphthalocyanine chromophores are uniquely suited for use in the recording layers of optical recording media, and are therefore preferred for such an application. These chromophores exhibit excellent chemical and photolytic stability, thereby rendering the chromophores extremely useful in the information layer of an optical recording medium. As well, the chromophores can exhibit unique spectral and solubility characteristics. These characteristics render the manipulation of the chromophore quite easy. Their excellent solubility characteristics can also be important if a polymer is to be used with the chromophore in formulating an information layer. As the chromophore becomes more compatible with the polymer, higher loading is achievable and the chance of phase separation is diminished. Solubility in the same solvent as the polymer used in the recording layer, if a polymer is desired to be used, also permits one to achieve higher loading of the chromophore in the recording layer, as well as to cast the chromophore/polymer using conventional techniques.

The foregoing naphthalocyanine chromophores of the present invention can also exhibit surprising film-forming properties, depending upon the substituents chosen, thereby allowing one the option of simply casting the chromophore without the need for a polymer. One is thereby able to realize the benefits

of the thermomechanical properties of a film-forming material without the need for a polymer. This, in combination with the other unique characteristics of these chromophores renders the formulation of an information layer therefrom quite an easy task. As w 11, since the use of a polymer can be avoided, if desired, the problem of chromophore/polymer separation can be avoided.

The most preferred film-forming naphthalocyanine chromophores for use in the present invention are those chromophores within the aforedescribed general formula when p is 1 or 2, and Z is (OSiR ₈ R ₉ ) _k R ₁₀ , with R ₈ and R ₉ being the same or different and being an alkyl having from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, and preferably from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl having from 6 to about 12 carbon atoms; k is at least 1 and is preferably from 1 to about 50, and when p is 2, k may be different for each Z group; and, with R^o being a functionalized alkoxy; a functionalized alkoxy being defined as an alkoxy group containing additional functional units, i.e., functions conta: ^' ing atoms other than or in addition to C and H, with amide, ester, ether and alcohol functions bein^ preferred additional functional units. More than one and/or a mixture of such additional functional units can be employed in the alkoxy group. The amide and/or the ether functions are the most preferred additional functional units. It is also most preferred that Y is Si in the foregoing naphthalocyanine chromophores.

Examples of preferred functionalized alkoxy groups (RI _Q ) which can be employed include the following:

- O - R _lλ - G - R ₁₂ ; - O - R _I:L - G - R ₁₃ - 0 - R-L4; and

- O - R _ι;L - G - L - G fRχ3 - G - L - G j R ₁₃ - 0 - R ₁₄ wherein R^ is a divalent hydrocarbon radical in which the carbon atom attached to the oxygen is aliphatic, suitable examples being ethylene, propylene or phenethylene;

R^ ₂ is alkyl, preferably having from one to eighteen carbon atoms, or aryl, preferably having from six to twelve carbon atoms; R^ ₃ is a divalent hydrocarbon radical;

R ₁₄ is R ₁ or H; j is zero or greater, and preferably ranges from 0 to about 100;

G is a divalent radical containing atoms in addition to or in place of C and H, and preferably contains an ether, ester or amide function; and

L is a divalent linking group such as a phenylene, diphenyl ether or polymethylene group, with 1,4-phenylene and 1,3-phenylene being among the preferred phenylene linking groups.

In the foregoing definitions, the alkyl groups can include branched and cyclic structures, as well as straight-chain structures.

Within the aforesaid parameters, preferred naphthalocyanine chromophores useful in the practice of the present invention. include the following specific compounds:

SiNc[OSi(CH ₃ ) ₂ -0(CH ₂ ) ₂ OCO-p-C ₆ H ₄ COO(CH ₂ ) ₂ OH] ₂ SiNc[OSi(CH ₃ ) ₂ -0(CH ₂ ) ₆ NHCOCH(CH ₃ ) ₂ ] ₂ SiNc[OSi(CH ₃ ) ₂ -0(CH ₂ ) ₆ NHCOC(CH ₃ ) ₃ ] ₂ SiNc[OSi(CH ₃ ) ₂ -0(CH ₂ ) ₆ NHCO(CH ₂ ) ₁₄ CH ₃ ] SiNc[OSi(CH ₃ ) ₂ - (CH ₂ ) ₃ NHCO(CH ₂ ) ₈ CONH(CH ₂ ) ₃ OH] ₂ SiNc[OSi(CH ₃ ) ₂ - (CHCH ₃ CH ₂ 0) ₃ CH ₃ ] ₂ , and

SiNctOSi(CH ₃ ) ₂ -0(CH ₂ ) ₃ NHCO-p- C ₆ H ₄ CONH(CH ₂ ) ₃ OH] ₂ . As a general consideration in the selection of the R ₈ , R _g and R^Q moieties employed in the Z substituents of the foregoing preferred film-forming naphthalocyanine chromophores, their structures are generally dictated by the requirement of processability. For example, to obtain a desired level of solubility in the solvents of the present invention, it is undesirable for all of the R moieties to have the minimum number of carbon atoms discussed above. On the other hand, two of the moieties may have the minimum number, provided the third has a sufficient number of carbon atoms, or other characteristics, to result in the desired solubility.

While the foregoing preferred film-forming naphthalocyanine chromophores are characterized by their unique Z substitution off of the central atom, substitution off of the naphthalene rings can also be desirable. As discussed briefly above, such ring substituents can be employed to alter the absorption maximum of the chromophore molecule. Examples of such substituents include sulfonamide, alkyl, aryl, ether, sulfonate salts, halogen, amine, nitro and acyl substituents. Preferably, the number and type of the ring substituents are selected so as to result in an

absorption maximum for the chromophore which corresponds to the output wavelength of the laser to be used in the optical recording.

The naphthalocyanine chromophore composition employed in the practice of the present invention can be comprised of a single chromophore or a mixture of chromophores. The chromophore composition can also comprise a suitable polymer, particularly a film- forming polymer, if so desired. Of course, both the chromophore and the polymer should be soluble in the solvent of the present invention in such a case.

The solvent employed in formulating the solvent solution, for the purposes of the present invention comprises either cyclohexane, cycloheptane or a mixture of solvents including at least one such compound. It has been found that the foregoing compounds are surprisingly active in dissolving naphthalocyanine chromophores, particularly those useful for applications in optical recording media. Due to the solubility of naphthalocyanine chromophores in cyclohexane and cycloheptane, films can be formed of suitable thickness having sufficient chromophore therein to give transmittance and reflectance properties particularly suitable for optical recording applications. Yet, these compounds do not attack either a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising substrate. As well, the foregoing compounds are easily removed from the substrate to leave an uncontaminated chromophore layer on the substrate. Their use is therefore quite uncomplicated, yet very effective. More conventional organic solvents, on the other hand, e.g., toluene and cyclohexanone, have been found to be quite unsuitable for the purposes of the present invention. Other hydrocarbons have also been

found to be quite unsuitable. Thus, the particular solvents of the present invention offer unique opportunities in the manufacture of film coated bases, and particularly, optical recording media, when using a naphthalocyanine chromophore.

If a polymer binder is to be employed together with the chromophore, the solvent has also been found to be quite active in dissolving the polymers together with the chromophore. The amount of solvent employed is that sufficient to dissolve a useful amount of chromophore (and polymer, if used) . The use of the foregoing solvents thereby permits a safe, yet simple and efficient process for coating or casting directly onto a substrate without harmful interaction with the substrate, particularly if the substrate is a polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate substrate.

Mixtures of solvents can be employed, as long as the mixture contains a major, effective amount of at least one solvent in accordance with the present invention. For example, a mixture of only solvents employable in the practice of the present invention may be used, or a mixture of at least one solvent useful in the practice of the present invention in combination with at least one other generally recognized solvent, such as methanol, can be employed. In the latter case, it is necessary that the solvent of the present invention be employed in an amount sufficient to avoid any harmful interaction with the polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising substrate.

It is most preferred for the purposes of the present invention, however, that a solvent system be employed which comprises but a single solvent.

Once the substrate, preferably polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising substrate, and the solvent solution containing a naphthalocyanine chromophore dissolved therein are provided, the solvent solution is cast directly onto the substrate. Any well known technique of casting a solvent solution can be used, with spin coating being the preferred technique as it allows one to easily achieve a homogeneous film of a desired thickness. The particular range of spin speeds useful in any particular instance can be readily optimized by the skilled artisan.

Once the solvent solution has been cast directly onto the polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate comprising base, the solvent is removed, preferably by evaporation, to yield a smooth, homogeneous chromophore containing film.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples. Details in the following examples, however, are in no way meant to be limitative, but are merely illustrative.

EXAMPLE 1 0.51g of a silicon naphthalocyanine of the formula SiNc[OSi(CH3) ₂ 0(CHCH ₃ CH ₂ 0) ₃ CH ₃ ] ₂ was added to 20.22g of cycloheptane and dissolved upon gentle heating. The solution was then filtered through a 0.5 micron pore size filter, and the filtrate was used to directly spin coat six polycarbonate disk substrates at various spin speeds. The disks were baked for one- half hour at 80°C in a convection oven. After baking, the disks were made into air sandwich optical media.

The percent transmittance and percent reflectance at 830 nm was measured for each disk before baking, after baking, and after being assembled into an

air sandwich structure. The results of the measurements are as follows:

%T %R

Before After Air Before After Air

Disk No. Spin Speed Bake Bake Sandwich Bake Bake Sandwich

1 1500 12.5 13 12.3 30.2 27.2 27.6

2 2000 15.4 16.6 15.2 28.3 24.0 24.9

3 1000 9.2 10 9.1 31.8 28.7 29.4

4 2000 15.3 16.3 15.7 28.2 24.2 24.3

5 1500 12.9 13.4 12.6 30.1 26.6 27.0

6 1000 8.9 9.6 9.0 31.8 28.8 29.2

The CNR of Disk No.l was also measured before baking, the result was a CNR of 52dB.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 A mixture of 0.5 g SiNc[OSi(CH ₃ )2~

0(CH ₂ )6 ^NHCOCH ( ^CH 3)2]2 ^{and 12} 9 benzyl alcohol was heated at a temperature of 70 to 80"C and stirred for 2 hours. The green solution was allowed to cool to room temperature and then filtered through a 200 nm pore size membrane filter. The green filtrate was used to spin coat two wedges cut from a polycarbonate optical disk substrate. The first wedge, sample Cla, was coated at 1500 rpm spin speed,and the second wedge, Clb, was coated at 2000 rpm. The coated samples we e dried at 80"C in a convection oven for 2 hours.

The following table summarizes the optical data, transmittance (T) and the reflectance (Rs, substrate incident and Rf, air incident) for the two samples. Notice that the reflectances are extremely low and the absorbance is highest at 780 nm. This indicates that the benzyl alcohol solution attacked the polycarbonate substrate during coating.

Sample Cla Clb wavelength - 780 nm

T 6.89% 12.76%

Rs 5.03% 5.07%

Rf 1.23% 2.77%

wavelength - 800 nm

T 19.59% 26.18%

Rs 5.02% 5.08%

Rf 1.56% 3.53%

wavelength - 830 nm

T 51.52% 43.45%

RS 5.39% 6.09%

Rf 2.03% 4.46%

EXAMPLE 2

0.58 grams of a silicon naphthalocyanine chromophore was mixed with sufficient cycloheptane to provide a 2.51 weight percent solution of the chromophore. The solution was mixed by mechanical tumbling overnight, and then filtered through a 1 micron pore size membrane filter. The solution was then used to spin coat seven (disk nos. 1-7) polycarbonate optical disk substrates. The various coated disks were then baked in a convection oven for 30 minutes at 80°C.

The substrate incidence reflectance and transmittance at 830 nm were then measured for each disk, and recorded.

The foregoing procedure was essentially repeated for cyclooctane, as 0.58 grams of the same silicon naphthalocyanine chromophore was mixed with sufficient

weight cyclooctane to provide a 2.41 weight percent solution of chromopore. The solution was again mixed by mechanical tumbling overnight and filtered through a 0.2 micron pore size membrane filter. Six polycarbonate optical disk substrates (disk nos. 8-13) were then coated using a spin coating technique. The disks were baked for 30 minutes in a convection oven at 80"C. The substrate incidence reflectance and transmittance for the six disks at 830 nm were then measured and recorded.

The same technique was also used with a cyclohexane solvent. 0.52 grams of the same silicon naphthalocyanine chromophore was mixed with sufficient weight cyclohexane to provide a 2.39 weight percent solution of the chromophore. The solution was mixed overnight by mechanical tumbling, and then filtered through a 0.2 micron pore size membrane filter. The filtrate was then used to spin coat six polycarbonate optical disk substrates, which disks were then baked at 80°C in a convection oven for 30 minutes. The substrate incidence reflectance and transmittance were measured at 830 nm for each disk, and then recorded.

The results of the reflectance and transmittance measurements are set forth in the table below. From the data, it can be seen that relatively high reflectance and low transmittance is observed for disk nos. 1-7 and 14-19, indicating excellent properties for purposes of optical information recording. The reflectance for disk nos. 8-13, however, is very low, indicating films which are unsuitable and inappropriate for optical recording purposes. As well, the transmittance properties of the films coated on disk nos. 8-13 are also inappropriate for optical recording purposes.

TABLE

Disk No. % T % R

1 11.8 27

2 17.6 24

3 10.6 28

4 10.8 28

5 9.8 29

6 10.7 28

7 1 199..99 22

8 42.7 11

9 44.7 11.0

10 40.5 12.7

11 40.6 12.4

1 122 3 355..99 14.4

13 33.6 15.0

14 4.7 30.2

15 10.0 27.7

16 7.4 30.0

1 177 6 6..44 30.4

18 8.3 29.5

19 10.8 29.5

EXAMPLE 3

0.48 grams of a silicon naphthalocyanine was mixed with sufficient weight cyclohexane to provide a 2.13 weight percent solution of the chromophore. The solution was mixed overnight in a mechanical tumbler and then filtered through a 0.2 micron pore size membrane filter. Four 130 mm polycarbonate optical disk substrates (disk nos. 1-4) were then spin coated using the solution. The disks were then baked in a forced air oven at 80 ^β C .for about 30 minutes. The

substrate incidence reflectance and transmittance was then measured at 830 nm for each disk, and recorded.

The above-described procedure was again used, except that 0.49 grams of the silicon naphthalocyanine was mixed with sufficient methylcyclohexane to form a 2.27 weight percent solution of the chromophore. The four coated disks (disk nos. 5-8) were also measured for reflectance and transmittance at 830 nm, and recorded. The same procedure was then followed using heptane as a solvent. 0.50 grams of the same silicon naphthalocyanine was mixed with sufficient weight heptane to provide a 2.36 weight percent solution of the chromophore. The four coated disks (disk nos. 9- 12) were also measured at 830 nm for reflectance and transmittance.

The following table sets forth the results of the measurements for reflectance and transmittance. From the table, it can be seen that the reflectance and transmittance data indicates cyclohexane to be an excellent solvent for the coating of polycarbonate disks for optical information recording purposes, whereas the reflectance and transmittance data for the disks coated from the methylcyclohexane and heptane solvents indicate a totally inappropriate film coating for optical information recording purposes.

TABLE

Disk No . % T % R

1 9 . 0 28. 0

2 25. 0 16.9

3 20.9 25.4

4 5. 6 30.2

5 40. 9 8 . 7

6 40. 7 8 .8

7 42.2 8.2

8 51.8 7.0

9 81.5 8.1

10 82.2 8.2

11 81.2 8."0

12 79.5 7.8

Although the invention has been described with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that variations and modifications may be resorted to as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications are to be considered within the purview and scope of the claims appended hereto.