A dye encompassing a donor-acceptor-donor motif having a structure according to formulae (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) or (8):

##STR00001## ##STR00002## wherein, independently from each other, R.sup.1=H, C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1, C.sub.5NH.sub.4, C.sub.4N.sub.2H.sub.3, (CH.sub.2).sub.nQ, (C.sub.6H.sub.5?m)Q.sub.m or (OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.nQ, wherein m=1, 2, 3 or 4, and Q is selected from: H, C(H)=CH.sub.2, OC(O)C(H)?CH.sub.2, OC(O)C(CH.sub.3)?CH.sub.2, N(H)CC(H)?CH.sub.2, N(H)CC(CH.sub.3)?CH.sub.2, Si(OH).sub.3, Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.3, Si(OC.sub.2H.sub.5).sub.3, OH, SH, NH.sub.2, NO.sub.2, CN, CF.sub.3, C?CH, N?N.sup.+?N.sup.?, F, Cl, Br, I, C.sub.2H.sub.3O, C.sub.6H.sub.5, C(O)F, C(O)Cl, C(O)Br, C(O)I, CF.sub.3SO.sub.3, B(OZ).sub.2, OZ, C(O)Z, C(O)OZ, C(O)NHZ, C(O)NZ.sub.2, and SSZ, wherein Z=H, C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1, C.sub.nH.sub.2nC(H)?CH.sub.2, C.sub.nH.sub.2nC?CH, C.sub.6H.sub.4C(H)?CH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.5, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.5, C.sub.5NH.sub.4 or C.sub.4N.sub.2H.sub.3, wherein n=1 to 20; R.sup.2=H, C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1, C.sub.5NH.sub.4, C.sub.4N.sub.2H.sub.3, (CH.sub.2).sub.nQ or (C.sub.6H.sub.5?m)Q.sub.m wherein m=1, 2, 3 or 4, and Q is selected from: H, C(H)?CH.sub.2, OC(O)C(H)?CH.sub.2, OC(O)C(CH.sub.3)?CH.sub.2, N(H)CC(H)?CH.sub.2, N(H)CC(CH.sub.3)?CH.sub.2, Si(OH).sub.3, Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.3, Si(OC.sub.2H.sub.5).sub.3, OH, SH, NH.sub.2, NO.sub.2, CN, CF.sub.3, C?CH, N?N.sup.+?N.sup.?, F, Cl, Br, I, C.sub.2H.sub.3O, C.sub.6H.sub.5, C(O)F, C(O)Cl, C(O)Br, C(O)I, CF.sub.3SO.sub.3, B(OZ).sub.2, OZ, C(O)Z, C(O)OZ, C(O)NHZ, C(O)NZ.sub.2, and SSZ, wherein Z=H, C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1, C.sub.nH.sub.2nC(H)?CH.sub.2, C.sub.nH.sub.2nC?CH, C.sub.6H.sub.4C(H)?CH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.5, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.5, C.sub.5NH.sub.4 or C.sub.4N.sub.2H.sub.3, wherein n=1 to 20; R.sup.3=H, C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1, C.sub.5NH.sub.4, C.sub.4N.sub.2H.sub.3, C(O)C.sub.6H.sub.5, C(S)C.sub.6H.sub.5, (CH.sub.2).sub.nQ or (C.sub.6H.sub.5?m)Q.sub.m, wherein m=1, 2, 3 or 4, and Q is selected from: H, C(H)?CH.sub.2, OC(O)C(H)?CH.sub.2, OC(O)C(CH.sub.3)?CH.sub.2, N(H)CC(H)?CH.sub.2, N(H)CC(CH.sub.3)?CH.sub.2, Si(OH).sub.3, Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.3, Si(OC.sub.2H.sub.5).sub.3, OH, SH, NH.sub.2, NO.sub.2, CN, CF.sub.3, C?CH, N?N.sup.+?N.sup.?, F, Cl, Br, I, C.sub.2H.sub.3O, C.sub.6H.sub.5, C(O)F, C(O)Cl, C(O)Br, C(O)I, CF.sub.3SO.sub.3, B(OZ).sub.2, OZ, C(O)Z, C(O)OZ, C(O)NHZ, C(O)NZ.sub.2, and SSZ, wherein Z=H, C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1, C.sub.nH.sub.2nC(H)?CH.sub.2, C.sub.nH.sub.2nC?CH, C.sub.6H.sub.4C(H)?CH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.5, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.5, C.sub.5NH.sub.4 or C.sub.4N.sub.2H.sub.3, wherein n=1 to 20; X.sup.1=N, C(CN), C(COOEt) or C(NO.sub.2)

The present invention generally relates to sub-diffraction limit image resolution and other imaging techniques. In one aspect, the invention is directed to determining and/or imaging light from two or more entities separated by a distance less than the diffraction limit of the incident light. For example, the entities may be separated by a distance of less than about 1000 nm, or less than about 300 nm for visible light. In one set of embodiments, the entities may be selectively activatable, i.e., one entity can be activated to produce light, without activating other entities. A first entity may be activated and determined (e.g., by determining light emitted by the entity), then a second entity may be activated and determined. The entities may be immobilized relative to each other and/or to a common entity. The emitted light may be used to determine the positions of the first and second entities, for example, using Gaussian fitting or other mathematical techniques, and in some cases, with sub-diffraction limit resolution. The methods may thus be used, for example, to determine the locations of two or more entities immobilized relative to a common entity, for example, a surface, or a biological entity such as DNA, a protein, a cell, a tissue, etc. The entities may also be determined with respect to time, for example, to determine a time-varying reaction. Other aspects of the invention relate to systems for sub-diffraction limit image resolution, computer programs and techniques for sub-diffraction limit image resolution, methods for promoting sub-diffraction limit image resolution, methods for producing photoswitchable entities, and the like.

In one embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount of 5 wt % or more; wherein the scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for gamma rays. In another embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix comprising at least one of: polyvinyl xylene (PVX); polyvinyl diphenyl; and polyvinyl tetrahydronaphthalene; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount greater than 10 wt %. A total loading of dye in the scintillator material is sufficient to cause the scintillator material to exhibit a pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) figure of merit (FOM) of about at least 2.0.

A light-emitting element containing a light-emitting material with high light emission efficiency is provided. The light-emitting element includes a high molecular material and a guest material. The high molecular material includes at least a first high molecular chain and a second high molecular chain. The guest material has a function of exhibiting fluorescence or converting triplet excitation energy into light emission. The first high molecular chain and the second high molecular chain each include a first skeleton, a second skeleton, and a third skeleton, and the first skeleton and the second skeleton are bonded to each other through the third skeleton. The first high molecular chain and the second high molecular chain have a function of forming an excited complex.

A light-emitting element containing a light-emitting material with high light emission efficiency is provided. The light-emitting element includes a high molecular material and a guest material. The high molecular material includes at least a first high molecular chain and a second high molecular chain. The guest material has a function of exhibiting fluorescence or converting triplet excitation energy into light emission. The first high molecular chain and the second high molecular chain each include a first skeleton, a second skeleton, and a third skeleton, and the first skeleton and the second skeleton are bonded to each other through the third skeleton. The first high molecular chain and the second high molecular chain have a function of forming an excited complex.

A method for making photochromic molecule-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds, including: preparing a solution of photochromic molecules and preparing a solution of cyclodextrins. The molecule of cyclodextrin is frusto-conical shaped and hollow. The photochromic solution and the cyclodextrin solution are mixed, the photochromic molecules being entrapped in the cavities of the cyclodextrins, thereby forming the photochromic molecule-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds.

A light-emitting element containing a light-emitting material with high light emission efficiency is provided. The light-emitting element includes a high molecular material and a guest material. The high molecular material includes at least a first high molecular chain and a second high molecular chain. The guest material has a function of exhibiting fluorescence or converting triplet excitation energy into light emission. The first high molecular chain and the second high molecular chain each include a first skeleton, a second skeleton, and a third skeleton, and the first skeleton and the second skeleton are bonded to each other through the third skeleton. The first high molecular chain and the second high molecular chain have a function of forming an excited complex.

The invention relates to a security pigment, comprising core-shell particles having a core based on an organic addition polymer, a shell based on an organic condensation polymer and a feature substance present in the core in finely dispersed or dissolved form, wherein the addition polymer is a three-dimensionally cross-linked duromer.

The present invention generally relates to sub-diffraction limit image resolution and other imaging techniques. In one aspect, the invention is directed to determining and/or imaging light from two or more entities separated by a distance less than the diffraction limit of the incident light. For example, the entities may be separated by a distance of less than about 1000 nm, or less than about 300 nm for visible light. In one set of embodiments, the entities may be selectively activatable, i.e., one entity can be activated to produce light, without activating other entities. A first entity may be activated and determined (e.g., by determining light emitted by the entity), then a second entity may be activated and determined. The entities may be immobilized relative to each other and/or to a common entity. The emitted light may be used to determine the positions of the first and second entities, for example, using Gaussian fitting or other mathematical techniques, and in some cases, with sub-diffraction limit resolution. The methods may thus be used, for example, to determine the locations of two or more entities immobilized relative to a common entity, for example, a surface, or a biological entity such as DNA, a protein, a cell, a tissue, etc. The entities may also be determined with respect to time, for example, to determine a time-varying reaction. Other aspects of the invention relate to systems for sub-diffraction limit image resolution, computer programs and techniques for sub-diffraction limit image resolution, methods for promoting sub-diffraction limit image resolution, methods for producing photoswitchable entities, and the like.

This disclosure relates generally to electrochromic polymers that include a plurality of -conjugated chromophores in spaced relation with one another, and a plurality of conjugation-break spacers (CBSs), where at least one CBS separates adjacent chromophores. The chromophores may be colored in the neutral state, and multicolored to transmissive in different oxidization states.