KINETIC-ANALYSIS OF THE DELAYED FORMATION OF LATENT IMAGE SPECKS IN REDUCTION-SENSITIZED EMULSIONS

On the assumptions that reduction sensitization specks absorb single s ilver atom species (SSAS), so that the number of SSAS decreases, a the oretical rate equation for the delayed formation of latent image speck s was derived. This equation shows that an increasing value DELTAP dec reases first slightly and then greatly, whereas an apparent rate const ant K first decreases slightly and then increases greatly when the rat e constant of disappearance of SSAS increases. Experimental results sh ow that DELTAP decreases first slightly and then greatly, whereas K fi rst decreases slightly and then increases greatly when the sensitizati on level increases. This agreement suggests that a reduction sensitiza tion speck absorbs SSAS and consists of two silver atoms. The decrease of DELTAP also suggests that a mechanism concerning photoholes for th e delayed formation is improbable.