JPH02134632A - Process for forming picture image by silver salt diffusion transfer process - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a gradation ranging over a wide range from a low density region to a high density region by incorporating a silver halide emulsion having a large average particle size of silver halide particles into an emulsion (A) layer near a base body and incorporating a silver halide emulsion (B) having a smaller average particle size of silver halide particles into an upper layer of the emulsion (A) layer. CONSTITUTION:A silver halide emulsion layer is constituted of at least two emulsion layers. The emulsion layer (A) nearer a base body contains <=35wt.% silver halide emulsion (basing on the total amt. of Ag in the whole coated silver) having a large average particle size. And the upper emulsion layer (B) of the emulsion layer (A) contains >=65wt.% silver halide emulsion (basing on the total amt. of coated Ag) having a small average particle size. The particle size can be obtd. by the coater counter method, which is well known generally, and basing on a photograph of particles obtd. by an electron microscope. Thus, a desirable picture image having a gradation in over a wide density region is obtd.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming method by silver salt diffusion transfer and a film unit used therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Methods of forming images by diffusion transfer using silver salts such as silver halides are well known. To explain this method specifically, for example, an image-exposed photosensitive silver halide emulsion is mixed with a developer,
Halogenated @ treated with an alkaline aqueous solution containing a solvent and a film-forming agent (thickener) to reduce the exposed silver halide grains to Erysilver in the developer, while remaining unexposed silver halide The grains are made into a transferable silver complex salt using a silver halide solvent, and this silver complex salt is diffused and transferred through a silver precipitant-containing layer (an image-receiving layer) overlaid with the emulsion layer, where the silver complex salt is precipitated. It consists in obtaining a silver image by reducing it with a developer with the help of an agent.

When carrying out this method, for example, a photosensitive element having a photosensitive silver halide emulsion J8 on a support, an image receiving element having an image receiving layer containing a silver precipitant on a support, a developer, a halogenated A film unit is used which is a combination of processing elements consisting of an active alkaline aqueous solution containing a silver solvent and a film forming agent.

First, the emulsion layer of the photosensitive element is imagewise exposed, and then the photosensitive element is superimposed on the surface of the photosensitive element so that the emulsion layer and the image receiving layer of the image receiving element face each other, and the viscous alkaline aqueous enemy of the processing element is spread between the pairs. pass between the rollers. When the image-receiving element is peeled off from the photosensitive element after a predetermined period of time, a pudding +-V in which a desired image is formed on the image-receiving layer can be obtained.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) In the silver salt diffusion transfer method, when trying to obtain the maximum density in a short time, the maximum density is saturated, whereas the transferred silver ions diffuse into the image-receiving layer. Because of this, the shoulder gradation becomes hard. On the other hand, when a high-sensitivity emulsion having a large average grain size is mixed, the sensitivity increases, but the expected edges of shoulder gradations do not become softer, resulting in rougher grains and poor transfer progress.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a novel image forming method using silver salt diffusion transfer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a desirable image having gradations over a wide range from low density areas to high density areas by softening shoulder gradations without deteriorating image graininess or transfer progress. It's about doing.

Means for Solving the Problems The above object is to process a light-sensitive element comprising an imagewise exposed light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer using an alkaline processing composition in the presence of silver halide ablation. and converting at least a portion of the unexposed silver halide in the emulsion layer into a transferable silver complex salt, and transferring at least a portion of the complex salt to an image-receiving layer containing a silver precipitant to form an image on the image-receiving layer. In an image forming method using silver salt diffusion transfer, the silver halide emulsion layer is composed of at least two emulsion layers, and the emulsion layer closer to the support contains a silver halide emulsion having a large average grain size. A silver halide emulsion containing not more than 35% by weight of the coating amount and having a small average grain size is placed on the upper layer of the emulsion layer to give a total coating silver fineness of t! This could be achieved by containing at least 10% of the total amount.

By the way, as information regarding the grain size in the silver salt diffusion transfer method, it is shown that the minimum density can be lowered by making all the silver halide emulsions have an average grain size of o, rμ or more. There is.

In JP-A-47-170≠O, 10% or more of the total number of silver halide grains has a grain size larger than 0゜6μ, and 70% or more of Q, l~o, II-μ grain sizes. It has been shown that by including the compound, the transfer speed is fast and a high maximum density can be obtained. JP-A-4/-72
In 2J O, total silver impurity of silver halide ~ tON amount%
is a small-sized silver halide, the small-sized silver halide is placed on the side to be exposed, and the target is
It was shown that the grain size of an image can be reduced by placing a silver halide with a small tit% below a silver halide with a small size.

After intensive study to improve the hard shoulder gradation, which is one of the major drawbacks of the silver salt diffusion transfer method, we were able to successfully achieve the method of the present invention. It is easy to understand that this cannot be predicted.

The particle size as referred to in the present invention can be determined from generally well-known methods such as (1) Coulter counter method and (2) particle photographs obtained with an electron microscope. The Coulter Counter method can determine the grain diameter per volume when silver halide grains can be assumed to be spherical. Grain photography uses grain diameter when silver halide grains are flat plate-shaped? You can ask for it.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

(2) The large average particle size is preferably 1.0μ or more, and the small average particle size is preferably less than 1.0μ.

■The proportion of emulsion with large average grain size is 20 f, 1'
and the proportion of emulsions with small average grain size is 1
It is preferably 0% by weight or more.

(2) Each silver halide emulsion layer can contain at least seven types of silver halide emulsions.

(2) The silver halide grains used in the present invention preferably contain 1 or more mole of silver iodide.

(2) Preferred silver halide grains used in the present invention can be selected from silver iodobromide, silver chloroiobromide, and silver bromide.

■The total thickness of the silver halide emulsion layer is o, rμ to r,
oμ is preferred, and O, aμ to t, oμ are particularly preferred.

(2) The coating amount a of silver halide grains is preferably 3.0117 m from Ool in terms of silver amount, from o, i to /.

6ji/m2 is preferred.

The particle size distribution may be narrow or wide.

The silver halide grains in the silver halide emulsion are cubic, r
Those with equiaxed crystalline shapes such as hedron, /tetrahedron, and dimu-hedron 'C: are also good, and those with heterogeneous crystal shapes such as spherical, plate-like, etc., or those with these crystal shapes It may also have a compound form.

The silver halide grains may have an internal layer and a surface layer composed of different phases, or may consist of a uniform phase. It may also be a particle in which the latent image is mainly formed on the surface.
The particles may be formed primarily inside the particles, and the latent image may not be localized anywhere within them.

Particularly preferred are particles in which latent images are mainly formed on the surface.

The layer structure of the photosensitive element consists of a support made of polyethylene terephthalate containing titanium dioxide or carbon black and having an undercoat layer on both sides, a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer on one side, a protective layer on the other side, and a protective layer on the other side. It is preferable to provide a carbon black layer and a protective n4 layer thereon.

In addition to the above layer structure, a support containing an undercoat layer on both sides of a polyethylene terephthalate film containing titanium dioxide or carbon black, a layer of titanium chloride on top, a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer on top of that, and a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer on top of that. A photosensitive element having a protective layer and a carbon black layer on the other side and a protective layer thereon is preferably used.

Moreover, a colored dye can be used in place of or in addition to the above-mentioned carbon black. Further, when polyethylene terephthalate contains carbon black and/or colored dye, it is not necessary to provide carbon black and/or colored dye on the -1000 side. Further, the above titanium dioxide may be replaced with another white pigment.

As the support, in addition to the above-mentioned polyester compounds, polyethylene-laminated paper, baryta paper, and 31-F acid cellulose are used.

The above-mentioned photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer, protective layer, carbon black layer, etc. usually contain a hydrophilic binder, for example,
Meet gelatin etc.

The light-sensitive emulsion layer may contain a persimmon compound for the purpose of preventing fog during the manufacturing process, storage or photographic processing of the photographic material, or for stabilizing photographic performance. Azoles, such as benzothiazolium salts, nidroimidazoles, nitrobenzimidazoles, chlorobenzimidazoles, bromobenzimidazoles, mercaptothiazole p, mercaptobenzothiazoles, merkabutobene, nitrobenzimidazoles,
Mercaptoguadiazoles, aminotriazoles,
Nitrobenzotriazoles, benzotriazoles, and the like are preferred. A typical example is /-phenyl-λ-mercaptotetrazole.

Also mercaptopyrimidines, mercaptotriazines, thioketo compounds such as oxadorintheone,
Preferred are azaindenes, such as triazaindenes, tetrazaindenes, pentaazaindenes. 911
Eha, ≠-Hydroxy-O-methyl, / * J, J
Well-known antifoggants and stabilizers such as 1, which are representative of a + 7-chitrazaindenka, benzenesulfonic acids, benzenesulfinic acids, benzenesulfonic acid amides, and α-riboic acid are used.

For more detailed examples of these structures and methods for using them, see, for example, U.S. Pat. r2PI
I7, Special Publication Shoj, 2-216t011C can be used.

Further, the photosensitive element used in the present invention can be spectrally sensitized with a methine dye or the like. The sensitizing dyes used are preferably cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, complex cyanine dyes, complex merocyanine dyes, holopolar cyanine dyes, hemicyanine dyes, styryl dyes and hemioquinol dyes. Particularly useful dyes are those that FAT to cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes and complex merocyanine dyes. Tokukai Akira again! Tar/ / 17133, same A/-
/1333≠, multiple sensitizing dyes can be used in combination.

The photosensitive elements of this invention can include inorganic or organic hardeners. For example, chromium salts (chromium chloride, chromium acetate, etc.) and J aldehydes (formaldehyde,
glyoxal, geltaraldehyde, etc.), hemethylol compounds (dimethylol urea, methylol dimethylhydantoin, etc.), dioxane visiting conductors (co, 3-dihydroxy dioxane, etc.), activated vinyl compounds (/.

3,! -triacryloylhexahydro-S-triazine fx, mucohalogen acids (mucochloric acid,
Mucophenoxychloric acid and the like can be used alone or in combination.

Coating aids can be used in the silver halide emulsion layer and other hydrophilic colloid layers of the photosensitive element of the invention.

As a coating aid, Research
arch Disclosure) Volume 17, /7
tl13, JA page (/?7r, t2 publication) [coat
Compounds described in the section of ing aids J and JP-A-47-. Compounds described in 2003j can be used.

The silver halide emulsion layer and other hydrophilic colloid layers of the photosensitive element of the present invention contain, for example, polyalkylene oxide or its derivatives such as ethers, esters, and amines, for the purpose of increasing sensitivity, increasing contrast, or promoting development. It may also contain compounds such as thioether compounds, thiomol 7-olins, quaternary ammonium compounds, urethane derivatives, urea derivatives, imidazole derivatives, and 3-pyrazolidones. Examples of such compounds include U.S. Patent 2≠0
0132, same 2≠23j≠2, same 7/606λ, same J
&/7210. 37720, 2/, 3101003
Compounds described in, etc. can be used.

The silver halide emulsion layer and other hydrophilic colloid layers of the light-sensitive element of the present invention may contain a dispersion of a water-insoluble or sparingly soluble synthetic polymer for the purpose of improving dimensional stability. Fall is alkyl (meth) azilylate,
Alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, glycidyl (meth)acrylamide, (methacrylamide, vinyl ester (e.g., vinyl acetate λ, acrylonitrile, olefin, styrene, etc.) alone or in combination, or together with acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α, β
- A polymer containing a combination of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, styrene sulfonic acid, etc. as a short rod component can be used.

A protective layer can be provided on the silver halide emulsion layer used in the photosensitive element of the invention. The protective layer is made of a hydrophilic polymer such as gelatin, and is made of a hydrophilic polymer such as gelatin.
A matting agent or a binding agent such as polymethyl methacrylate latex or silica as described in t/-7!33rVC can be included.

The light-sensitive elements of the present invention include filter dyes in the light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and other hydrophilic colloid layers.
Alternatively, a dye or an ultraviolet absorber may be included for the purpose of preventing irradiation.

In addition, the photosensitive element of the present invention may contain an antistatic agent, a plasticizer, and an air fog inhibitor.

As for the structure of the photosensitive element of the present invention, the photosensitive element may be provided alone, or the photosensitive element and the image receiving element may be provided on the same support, but it is particularly preferable to use the photosensitive element alone.

The image-receiving element in the present invention is coated on a support, such as baryta paper, cellulose triacetate or a polyester compound, carrying an image-receiving layer containing a silver precipitant. Such image receiving elements can be made by coating an optionally primed support with a coating solution of a suitable cellulose ester, such as cellulose diacetate, preferably dispersed with a silver precipitating agent. The obtained cellulose ester layer is subjected to alkaline hydrolysis to convert at least a portion of the cellulose ester in the depth direction into cellulose. In a particularly useful example, the unhydrolyzed portion of the silver precipitated layer and/or the underlying cellulose ester layer containing unhydrolyzed cellulose esters, such as cellulose diacetate, is Contains one or more mercapto compounds suitable for improving the tone, stability or other photographic properties of the transferred image. Such mercapto compounds are utilized during imbibition by diffusing from the position where they are initially placed. This type of image receiving element is a US patent! , t07.2
1.2.

As the mercapto compound, JP-A No. 1206317
, Special Public Sho It-14<4L/r, British Patent/λ715P
4/, special public Shojt-2//Hiroshi Q, % Kaisho Tatar λl/1
Compounds described in JP-A No. 37 and JP-A No. 2003-120022 and Kokota No. 37 are preferred.

Examples of silver precipitants include heavy metals such as iron, lead, zinc, nickel, cadmium, tin, chromium, copper, cobalt,
Particularly noble metals such as gold, silver, platinum and e-radium. Other useful silver precipitants are sulfides and selenides of heavy and precious metals, especially mercury, copper, aluminum, zinc,
Mention may be made of the sulfides of cadmium, cobalt, nickel, silver, lead, antimony, bismuth, cerium, magnesium, gold, platinum and diradium, and the selenides of lead, zinc, antimony and nickel.

In particular, gold, platinum, palladium, or their sulfides are preferred.

Further, it is preferable to provide a neutralizing acidic polymer layer (alkali neutralization, m) between the unsaponified layer (timing layer) and the support.

For example, the alkali neutralization layer used in the present invention includes
The polymer acids described in 3J4-7 can be used. Preferred polymeric acids include maleic anhydride copolymers such as styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymers, ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymers, and (meth)acrylic acid (co-1c). Examples of the combination include acrylic acid-alkyl acrylate copolymer, acrylic acid-alkyl methacrylate copolymer, methacrylic acid-alkyl acrylate copolymer, and methacrylic acid-alkyl methacrylate copolymer.

In addition, polymers containing sulfonic acid groups, such as polystyrene sulfonic acid, acetalized products of benzaldehyde sulfonic acid and polyvinyl alcohol, are also useful.

The neutralization layer may contain a mercapto compound used in the timing layer. Further, for the purpose of improving membrane physical properties, these polymeric acids may be mixed with a hydrolyzable alkali-impermeable polymer (especially preferred is cellulose ester) or an alkali-permeable polymer.

Further, it is preferable that the image receiving sheet has an image stabilizing layer for improving image storage stability, and it is preferable that a cationic polymer is used as the stabilizer.
666ri4to, US time 'fF3ri! r Tata, Tokukai Shoyo j-/4t233, same j Hiro-/2t027, same 744
-/jjr3J-, same! 3-103.21. same jl-5
P, 22711VC listed water dispersion latex and US time p2!4t♂rtp, same 1iaroti, same 3m
Polyvinylpyridinium salts described in r/lI and U.S.
The water-soluble quaternary ammonium salt polymer described in US Patent No. 37024F0 and the water-insoluble quaternary ammonium salt polymer described in US Pat.

Further, as the binder for the image stabilizing layer, cellulose acetate is preferable, and particularly cellulose diacetate having a high degree of acetylation is preferable. This image stabilizing layer is preferably provided between the above-mentioned neutralizing layer and timing layer.

The timing layer also contains acid polymers (e.g., methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride) for the purpose of preventing the timing time from increasing due to changes in cellulose esters during long-term storage, or reducing the timing time. (a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride half ester).

Furthermore, light penetrates into the timing layer and neutralization layer from the cross-sectional direction of the sheet (light immersion).
For the purpose of preventing this, white pigments (eg, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, kaolin, zinc dioxide, barium sulfate) can be included.

An intermediate layer may also be provided between the image receiving layer and the timing layer. Preferred intermediate layers are gum arabic,
Hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol and boroacrylamide can be used.

Further, it is preferable to provide a peeling layer on the surface of the image-receiving layer in order to prevent the treatment liquid from adhering to the surface of the image-receiving layer during peeling after the treatment liquid is developed. Preferred materials for such a release layer include gum arabic, hydroquine ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, and sodium alginate, as well as U.S. Pat.
77 Koo Kohiro, 3r Koo Tatata and British Patent/36
The ones listed in otrz can be mentioned.

As a light shielding method, a light shielding agent (for example,
There is a method of incorporating carbon black or an organic black complex ('#+), and a method of applying the above-mentioned light shielding agent to the back side of the support.

Furthermore, it is preferable to apply a white pigment (for example, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, kaolin, zinc dioxide, or barium sulfate) to whiten the back surface that has become black due to the use of a light shielding agent.

Further, for the purpose of improving curl and brittleness, a moisture absorbent such as glycerin or a film quality improving agent such as polyethyl acrylate latex may be included.

Moreover, it is preferable to provide a protective layer on the uppermost layer thereof. The protective layer may contain a matting agent to improve adhesion or have writing properties.

As these binders, gelatin, cellulose ester, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. are used.

The processing element is present in the photosensitive element or processing composition.

Processing elements basically consist of a developer, a silver halide solvent, and an alkaline agent, and also include a thickener, antifoggant, color toning agent, stabilizer, image stabilizer, release agent, etc. be able to.

As the developer, for example, hydroquinone, tertiary butylhydroquinone, a benzene- or cafthalene-based organic compound having hydroquinone in the rose or ortho position is used.

Furthermore, reductic acid as described in US Pat.

Additionally, US Patent No. 3217/Co! and 32ri 30J
The hydroxyamine developer described in 4t is particularly preferably used.

The amount of developer used is O1/9 to ioog of processing composition.
It is preferable to include μog, and /-, 2op is most preferable.

Further, as a developer, a /-aryl-3-pyrazolidinone compound or an alkyl-substituted p-amine phenol described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-111012 may be used in combination with the above-mentioned hydroxylamine developer.

Silver halide solvents may be present in the processing element, the light-sensitive element and/or the image-receiving element. Among these, the processing element is the most preferred. US special i#'F2Ir! 7.27 Hiro, same 2r 7
The cyclic compounds described in λ7j and 2r727t are suitable, and among them, uracil, 6-methyluracil, etc. are preferred examples.

Further preference is given to alkali metal thiosulfates, especially the sodium or potassium salts. Also, the US patent 3rd SR Tatataco,
Same 3rd 7tbugua, same≠ooori167, same 4t032!
31. Same poptrtr, same member 〇≠72j≠, intermediary Ohiro 72! , Dohiro 107/7t and JP-A-4'7-33
0 disulfonylmethane compounds and U.S. patents!
ri, waiter/yoo cocot, same≠ko/l! ! and the same μJ
//jt2 thioether group-containing dihydroxypyrimidine compounds, U.S. Patent No. 17261617,
Seven! ≠ and the same IIλ67! You can choose from 6 aminothioethers. These can be used alone or in combination, and when used in combination with a dihydrogenated or higher cyclic imide compound or a dihydroxypyrimidine with a thioether group, white crystals will not precipitate on the surface even if the print is stored for a long time. There are advantages.

The addition of silver halide solvent is an alkaline processing composition.
0 per og. /~30! ! It is preferable to include O0 evening to 10. ! l/ is most preferred.

As the alkali agent, alkali hydroxides (eg, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, phosphates, and carbonates) are used. Potassium hydroxide is particularly preferred.

When the processing liquid is applied as a thin layer between the superimposed photosensitive element and image receiving element, the processing liquid preferably contains a polymeric film former, a thickening agent or a thickening agent. Hydroxyethylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose are particularly useful for this purpose and are included in the processing solution at concentrations effective to provide the appropriate viscosity for the known principles of diffusion transfer photography.

The processing solution may further contain other auxiliary agents known in the silver salt diffusion transfer method, such as antifoggants, toning agents, stabilizers, image stabilizers, and releasability improving agents. In particular, tetrahydropyrimidinethione, co-dimercaptopyrimidine and 3-(mercaptotetrazolyl)sulfonic acid hydrochloride are used as color toners, and /-phenyl-λ- is used as a stabilizer.
Mercaptoimidazole can be included. Also, the inclusion of an oxyethylamino compound, for example, triethanolamine, can
It is useful for increasing the shelf life of processing liquids, as described in . Also, l-hydroxyethylidene-/,/
- Organic phosphonic acid compounds such as phosphonic acids can be used as image stabilizers. Further, zinc compounds such as zinc oxide, zinc acetate, zinc nitrate, etc. can be used as a peelability improving agent.

White pigments (e.g.
Titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, kaolin) and black pigments (for example, carbon black and organic black pigments) are used.

The processing liquid as described above is preferably contained in a breakable container to serve as a processing element. Any known breakable container and its material can be used, and these are described, for example, in US Patent 30! t≠ri/
, 30! t≠octopus, 3/73110. Same 37! 07, 31r3313/, 41303710. Same 1
730376/ etc. in detail.

(Example) The present invention will be explained in further detail below by giving Examples and Comparative Examples.

Example 1 1. Preparation of image-receiving sheet An image-receiving sheet was prepared by sequentially providing the following layers on a polyethylene laminate paper support. The numbers in parentheses are for coated tomb 7a.
It is expressed in l'g/m.

(1) Neutralization layer: Cellulose acetate (degree of acetylation, tr&) II, methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer (g), the following compound (0,0≠), /-(μm hexylcarbamoylphenyl)- 2,3-dihydroxyimidazole-λ-thione (0,25) (2) Image stabilizing layer Cellulose acetate (intoxication degree: ≠ 2, the following compound
(2) x:y:z=j: ≠7.52 ≠7. j (3) Timing layer cellulose acetate + 1'rL degree jj%) (r) (4)
Image-receiving layer cellulose formate (degree of acetylation!!%) (i, palladium sulfide (7,! x 10 ), /-(goohequinlecarbamoylphenyl) -,2,3-dihydroimidazole-λ-thione (/ , O×(5) Saponification The surface was saponified with a mixture of potassium hydroxide/λy, glycerin λ≠g, and methanol 210rnI, and washed with water.

(6) Peeling layer Butyl methacrylate-acrylic acid copolymer (molar ratio/j, Zr) <o, i) (Cover layer A light shielding layer, a white layer and a protective layer are coated on the back side of the above support. (7-13 Light shielding layer carbon black (≠), gelatin (r), polyethyl acrylate spherical particles (average diameter 00orμm) (7-2) White layer titanium dioxide (6), gelatin (0,7) (7- 3
7 Protective layer polymethyl methacrylate (average diameter λ, ! μm) (
0, λ), Gelatin (/, 4) 2, Preparation of photosensitive sheet A photosensitive sheet was prepared by coating the following layers on a support (polyethylene terephthalate).

The numerical value in parentheses indicates the coating M in y/m2. The amount of emulsion coated is the equivalent amount of silver. The coating amount of gelatin also includes the coating amount of gelatin in the emulsion.

Emulsion A...average grain size/, 2μ silver iodobromide (iodine content A
, j mol%) B emulsion: silver iodobromide with semiuniform grain diameters o, rμ (iodine content 3
．． 1 mol%) C emulsion...Silver iodobromide with an average grain size of 0.3μ (iodine content 2
．． 2 mol%) Common formulation of photosensitive layer...Amount of silver in coated emulsion o, /11/m
l-hydroquine-t-methyl-1,3゜3a- per 2
7-chitrazaindene fO,0039/m2 α-riboic acid fO,0003/m and the following sensitizing dye at 0.00
Includes 0!97m.

Gelatins f and f also include gelatin 14 of the emulsion.

(1-1) Photosensitive layer (Lower layer) Emulsion A (0,/) Gelatin (/.

O) (Upper layer) B emulsion (0,,2) and C emulsion (0°3)
Gelatin (≠, 0) (1-2) Photosensitive layer (lower layer) A emulsion (0,/) Gelatin (/.

O) (Upper layer) C emulsion (0,3) Gelatin (g.

Q) (1-33 photosensitive layer (Lower layer) Emulsion B <o, i> Gelatin (/.

O) (Upper layer) C emulsion (0,3) Gelatin (≠.

(2) Protective layer gelatin (0,7), polymethyl methacrylate particles (o, 1) (3) Back layer (3-1) Light shielding layer carbon black (≠), gelatin (2) (3-2
) Protective layer gelatin (0,7), polymethyl methacrylate particles (o,i) 3. Preparation of treatment liquid Since the treatment liquid is oxidized by air, it is prepared in a nitrogen stream.

Titanium dioxide 9 Potassium hydroxide 2to,! 9 Uracil Taog Tetrahydropyrimidinethione 0.291-Phenyl-λ-mercaptoimidazole 0.2g Zinc nitrate.
+2o I/, o y triethanolamine 6g/-hydroxyethylidene-7°/-phosphonic acid (10% saliva) it g hydroxyethylcellulose ≠! to g, N-bis-methoxyethylhydroxylamine (/7ti aqueous solution) 220 11≠-
Methyl, Hiro-hydroxylthyl-nophenyl-3-pyrazolidinone i, zg water
/300ml
(Comparative Example) The numerical value in parentheses indicates the coating amount in 9 layers m 2 . The emulsion coater shows silver equivalent wrinkles.

The total amount of gelatin (including the amount of gelatin in the emulsion) was determined to be 1j, 097 m2, regardless of the amount of silver coated in the emulsion.

(1) Photosensitive layer...7 layers A emulsion (0,/), B emulsion (0, co) and C emulsion (0,
, 3) (2) Photosensitive layer... 7 layers A emulsion (o, i) and C emulsion (0, 3) (3) Photosensitive layer... 1 layer B emulsion (0,, Z) and C emulsion ( 0,3) (4) Photosensitive layer...1 layer C emulsion (0,3) (5) Photosensitive layer...1 layer (lower layer) B emulsion (0,2) and C emulsion (0, gelatin ( 11,0) (Upper layer) Emulsion A (o, i) Gelatin (/, O (Developing process) A developing process was carried out using a combination of an image receiving sheet, a sensitive material sheet and a processing solution.The conditions for developing and peeling were 2!0C30 ”.

The centometric data of the obtained photographic tools is shown in Table 7.

The shoulder gradation is determined from the slope of the straight line connecting [4 degrees/, the point that gives 0: A] and [the exposure amount that gives the density of A to @degrees at an exposure that is O0 lower on a log scale: B]. Ru.

Shoulder gradation-(B-h)/lf>, Hiroshi When this value is small, the shoulder gradation is said to be soft.

Relative sensitivity was expressed as relative exposure amount giving density o and t.

From this table, it can be seen that by following the method of the present invention, shoulder gradation can be softened without worsening graininess.

Procedural amendment 4. Target of amendment: “Detailed description of the invention” column of the specification

Claims (1)

Claims: A light-sensitive element containing an imagewise exposed light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer is developed with an alkaline processing composition in the presence of a silver halide solvent to remove the unexposed halogenation of the emulsion layer. In an image forming method by silver salt diffusion transfer, the method includes forming at least a part of silver as a transferable silver complex salt, and transferring at least a part of the complex salt to an image receiving layer containing a silver precipitant to form an image on the image receiving layer. The silver halide emulsion layer consists of at least two emulsion layers, and the emulsion layer closer to the support contains a silver halide emulsion having a large average grain size in an amount of not more than 35% by weight of the total coated silver amount, and An image forming method using a silver salt diffusion transfer method, characterized in that the upper layer of the emulsion layer contains a silver halide emulsion having a small average grain size in an amount of 65% by weight or more based on the total amount of silver coated.