LATENT IMAGE *Invisible image produced on the film after exposure prior to development.

*Latent image can only be visible through the development process. *The production of latent image is the first step of the photochemical process

REVIEW OF EMULSION AND SILVER BROMIDE

AgNO3 + KBr = AgBr + KNO3 *Emulsion is a suspension of silver bromide and certain impurities in gelatin. *AgBr is formed by reacting AgNO3 and KBr. *During manufacturing process, the silver and the bromide becomes an ion. *ION - an atom that has either many or few electrons than the protons. The unlike charges of the two ions causes the formation of what is known as the univalent ionic cubical lattice

In unexposed silver halide crystal the bromine ions usually occupy the surface of the crystal and the silver ions the center of the crystal. And somewhere in the crystal there are electrons traps (sensitivity speck) caused by gelatin

MECHANISMS OF LATENT IMAGE FORMATION *Effects of Exposure  photoelectric effect  Compton effect *Nucleation Process  Gurney Mott Theory  Mitchell Theory *Growth Process EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE

Photons interact through photoelectric and Compton interaction. Interactions usually occur at the bromine ions since they are located at the surface of the crystal.

Photons interact through photoelectric and Compton interaction. *Interactions usually occur at the bromine ions since they are located at the surface of the crystal. *Both interaction releases high energy electrons.

Photons interact through photoelectric and Compton interaction. Interactions usually occur at the bromine ions since they are located at the surface of the crystal. Both interaction releases high energy electrons. Bromine ions becomes neutral and they migrate out of the crystal into the gelatin

The process disrupted the crystal lattice formation. Ions in the crystal are now free to migrate and move around. Bromide migrate out of the crystal leaving the silver ion, free electron and electron trap in the crystal

Unexposed crystal

expose crystal

NUCLEATION PROCESS Gurney Mott Theory

An electron that has been released by exposure is captured by a trapping center and temporarily localized.

A mobile positively charge silver ion may migrate to this center and form a silver atom when combined with the electron

Unfortunately, a single silver atom is unstable, separation occurs and stage one and two happen again

Fortunately, during its short life the single silver atom can act as a trap for another electron, and if another silver ion is attracted to this site

A stable-atom speck is formed and is called a latent sub-image center.