The Role of Physical Development in Determining the Sensitometric Response of Maximum-Resolution Emulsion

Abstract

Kodak Maximum-Resolution (M.R.) emulsion developed fully in conventional “chemical” developers exhibits a sensitivity spread which is smaller than expected and a small reversal at heavy exposures. It is shown that these are consequences of physical development. Physical development is aided by the exceptionally small grain size of M.R. emulsion, since this facilitates dissolution of the silver halide. Pure chemical development in a non-solvent developer leads to a normal response with sensitivity spread similar to that of emulsions of much larger grain size. Physical development effects are illustrated by electron micrographs of the developed emulsion.