Patent ID: 6569609
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method for developing radiation-sensitive imagewise exposed devices by using an alkaline developer having electrical conductivity, the method comprising the steps of:(A) placing the exposed devices in the alkaline developer and removing the devices after a predetermined dwell time; and (B) correlating the activity of the developer with unit throughput by: (a) measuring the activity and electrical conductivity of the developer as a function of the unit throughput of the exposed device; (b) determining the amount of hydroxide ions per unit throughput necessary to maintain the original activity of the developer; and (c) determining the amount of a electrical conductivity suppressing agent per unit throughput necessary to keep the electrical conductivity constant; and (C) adding the replenisher composition to the developer and maintaining a desired activity; in which: the replenisher composition comprises water, a hydroxide ion source, and the electrical conductivity suppressing agent; the devices comprise a radiation-sensitive layer; and the electrical conductivity suppressing agent is water soluble, does not react with the other components of the replenisher composition and the developer, and does not react with or attack the radiation-sensitive layer of the device.