Importance

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Abstract

A polymerizable composition and a method are disclosed. The composition includes a photopolymerizable monomer and a photoinitiator system for the monomer. The system, in one embodiment, is one wherein a ray of activating radiation which enters a body of the composition through a surface thereof activates the photoinitiator system and causes polymerization at each of a succession of points, the first such point being immediately adjacent the surface and subsequent points being successively farther from the surface in the direction of travel of the ray of activating radiation, the distance from the surface to the point of the succession farthest therefrom varying as a function of at least one of (a) the intensity of the activating radiation and (b) the time during which the activating radiation enters the body through the surface. The method involves the steps of directing a ray of activating radiation for the photoinitiator system to and through a point in a given plane and into a body of the composition, and controlling at least one of (c) the intensity of the activating radiation of the ray and (d) the time during which the ray entering the body is directed through the point to determine the distance from a surface through which the ray of activating radiation enters the body to the point of the succession of points to which the ray activates the photoinitiator system that is farthest from the surface.

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First Claim