Method of forming images

A method for forming an image, which comprises a step of subjecting a light-sensitive material to exposure to laser light having a multi-longitudinal-mode, wherein the light-sensitive material comprises a support having provided thereon at least one layer containing light-sensitive silver halide grains having an average grain size of no greater than 0.2 .mu.m, and the light-sensitive silver halide grains have a coverage rate of no greater than 1 g/m.sup.2, based on silver.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an image formation method using a silver 
halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter sometimes 
referred to "light-sensitive material"), which has excellent 
processability and image quality, and does not cause uneven density due to 
interference fringe. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
As a method for lessening the interference-fringe influence in a 
light-sensitive material suitable for exposure to laser light, there has 
hitherto been known the method described in JP-B-06-10735 (corresponding 
to EP 179555 B; the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese 
patent publication"). This method, however, does not bring results 
satisfactory to the image formation using a light-sensitive material which 
has excellent processability and image quality. Thus, it becomes necessary 
to find a suitable method for the solution of the aforementioned problem. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming an 
image using a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, which 
has excellent processability and image quality without accompanied by the 
uneven density problem arising from interference fringe. 
As a result of our intensive studies on the foregoing problem, it has been 
found that the above-described object can be attained by a method of 
forming images which comprises a step of subjecting a light-sensitive 
material to exposure to laser light having a multi-longitudinal-mode, 
wherein the light-sensitive material comprises a support having provided 
thereon at least one layer containing light-sensitive silver halide grains 
having an average grain size of no greater than 0.2 .mu.m, and the silver 
halide grains have a coverage rate of no greater than 1 g/m.sup.2, based 
on silver. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
For the light-sensitive material used in the present invention, a suitable 
coverage rate of the silver halide grains is not greater than 1 g/m.sup.2, 
preferably not greater than 0.2 g/m.sup.2, on a silver basis. As for the 
average grain size of the light-sensitive grains, it is more desirable to 
be not greater than 0.1 .mu.m. 
The term "multi-longitudinal-mode" used in the present invention refers to 
a mode in which laser light has plural spectra. To this mode are 
applicable the method of superimposing high frequency waves one upon 
another as described, e.g., in JP-A-59-130494 (the term "JP-A" as used 
herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"), the 
laser diode described in DATA BOOK 1992 published by Sony Corporation, and 
the multi-longitudinal-mode described in '93 Data Book, published by 
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. The wavelength of the laser light is not 
limited, but preferred is a red to infrared laser (more preferably having 
a maximum wavelength of 700 to 900 nm). 
For the photographic processing adopted in the present invention, it is 
desirable to use a processing solution in a volume of no greater than 520 
ml, preferably no greater than 250 ml, per m.sup.2 of a light-sensitive 
material. In particular, the processing in which no processing solution is 
used in a substantial sense is favorable to the present invention. 
The processing system using a processing solution in a slight or 
substantially zero amount is useful from the ecological point of view. In 
order to fit a light-sensitive material to such processing, it is 
advantageous that the coverage rate of light-sensitive grains is lowered 
on a silver basis as mentioned above. However, lowering of the silver 
coverage leads to reduction in the number of photosensitive elements, 
whereby an image quality, or graininess, is impaired. 
For the light-sensitive silver halide emulsions to constitute the present 
light-sensitive material, it is preferable to undergo spectral 
sensitization in a wavelength region of from red to infrared radiation. 
In order to make the light-sensitive emulsion layer show the maximum 
spectral sensitivity at wavelengths of no shorter than 700 nm, it is 
effective to use sensitizing dye(s) represented by the following formulae 
(Ia), (Ib) or (Ic): 
##STR1## 
Firstly, the foregoing formulae (Ia) and (Ic) are described. 
Z.sub.5 and Z.sub.6 each represents an atomic group necessary for forming a 
5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring. 
Q.sub.5 represents an atomic group necessary for forming a 5-, 6- or 
7-membered ring. 
R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 each represents an alkyl group. 
L.sub.32, L.sub.33, L.sub.34, L.sub.35, L.sub.36, L.sub.37, L.sub.38, 
L.sub.39 and L.sub.40 each represents an unsubstituted or substituted 
methine group. In addition, any one of them may form a ring together with 
another methine group or an auxochrome. 
n.sub.8 and n.sub.9 are each 0 or 1. 
M.sub.5 represents a counter ion for charge neutralization; and ms is the 
number of counter ion(s) required for neutralization of intramolecular 
charges, which is not smaller than 0. 
Secondly, the foregoing formula (Ib) is described. 
R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different, and each of them represents 
an alkyl group. R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a 
lower alkoxy group, a phenyl group, a benzyl group or a phenetyl group. 
L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3 and L.sub.4 are each an unsubstituted or 
substituted methine group. In addition, L.sub.2 and L.sub.3 may combine 
with each other to complete a ring. 
V represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an 
alkylthio group, a halogen atom, or a substituted alkyl group. Z.sub.1 
represents a nonmetallic atomic group necessary for completing a 5- or 
6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring. X.sub.1 represents an 
acid anion. m, p and q independently represent 1 or 2. However, q is 1, 
provided that the dye forms an inner salt. 
As specific examples of compounds represented by general formulae (Ia), 
(Ib) and (Ic), mention may be made of Compounds A-1 to A-14 and Compounds 
B1 to B25 exemplified in JP-A-7-13289 and the compound marked as Ka 13! 
in the same application. 
The compounds represented by formula (Ia) or (Ic) can be synthesized 
according to the methods described in certain literatures, e.g., Zh. Org. 
Khim., vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 167-169 (1981), vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 400-407 
(1979), vol. 14, No. 10, pp. 2214-2221 (1978), vol. 13, No. 11, pp. 
2440-2443 (1977), and vol. 19, No. 10, pp. 2134-2142 (1983); Ukr. Khim. 
Zh., vol. 40, No. 6, pp. 625-629 (1974); Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin., No. 
2, pp. 175-178 (1976); Russian Patents 420,643 and 341,823; 
JP-A-59-217761; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,334,000, 3,671,648, 3,623,881 and 
3,573,921; EP-A1-0288261; EP-A2-0102781; and JP-B-49-46930. 
The compounds represented by formula (Ib) can be synthesized by reference 
to the methods described in JP-A-59-192242 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,362. 
These sensitizing dyes may be used individually or in combination. 
Combinations of sensitizing dyes are often employed for the purpose of 
supersensitization. Dyes having no spectral sensitization effect by 
themselves or materials showing no absorption in the visible region may 
also be incorporated into the silver halide emulsions, provided that they 
can exhibit a supersensitizing effect when used in combination with those 
sensitizing dyes. 
Useful sensitizing dyes, typical supersensitizing combinations and 
materials capable of exhibiting a supersensitizing effect are described, 
e.g., in Research Disclosure, Vol. 176, No. 17643, p. 23, item IV-J (Dec., 
1978), JP-B-49-25500, JP-B-43-4933, JP-A-59-19032, JP-A-59-192242, 
JP-A-03-15049 and JP-A-62-123454. 
The present sensitizing dyes, which can provide light-sensitive emulsions 
with the maximum spectral sensitivity at a wavelength of no shorter than 
700 nm, are used in an amount of from 10.sup.-7 to 1.times..sup.-2 mole, 
particularly 10.sup.-6 to 5.times.10.sup.-3 mole, per mole of silver 
halide. 
Silver halides present in the silver halide emulsions used in this 
invention may be any of silver chloride, silver bromide, silver 
iodobromide, silver chlorobromide and silver chloroiodobromide. The iodide 
content therein is desirable to be not more than 2 mole %, preferably not 
more than 1 mole %. 
The average grain size of the silver halides used in the present invention 
is not greater than 0.2 .mu.m, preferably 0.0001 .mu.m to 0.2 .mu.m, more 
preferably 0.001 .mu.m to 0.1 .mu.m, and it can be attained by properly 
controlling the temperature, pAg, pH and addition flow rate and using 
appropriate additives at the time of emulsion-making. The lower limit of 
the average grain size is 0.0001 .mu.m. 
The crystal form of silver halide grains used in the present invention may 
be any of a cube, an octahedron, a tetradecahedron, a plate and a sphere, 
or a composite of those various forms. However, it is preferable for the 
silver halide grains to have a cubic, tetradecahedral or tabular crystal 
form. 
The silver halide grains are preferably monodisperse with respect to size 
distribution (distribution coefficient: 15% or below). Further, the grains 
may have the interior and the surface which are different in halide 
composition, that is, the so-called core/shell structure. 
The silver halide grains have a coverage rate of no greater than 1 
g/m.sup.2, preferably 0.005 g/m.sup.2 to 1 g/m.sup.2, more preferably 
0.005 g/m.sup.2 to 0.2 g/m.sup.2, based on silver. The lower limit of the 
coverage rate of the silver halide grains is 0.005 g/m.sup.2, based on 
silver. 
A water-soluble iridium compound can be used in the present invention. As 
examples of such a compound, mention may be made of Ir(III) halides, 
Ir(IV) halides, and iridium complex salts having halogeno, ammine or 
oxalato ligands, such as hexachloroiridium(III) or (IV) complex salts, 
hexaammineiridium(III) or (IV) complex salts, and trioxalatoiridium(III) 
or (IV) complex salts. Also, it is possible to use a mixture of Ir(III) 
and Ir(IV) compounds arbitrarily chosen from the above-cited ones. Those 
iridium compounds are used in the form of solution in water or an 
appropriate solvent. In order to stabilize the solution of iridium 
compound, a conventional method of adding an aqueous solution of hydrogen 
halogenide (e.g., hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrofluoric acid) 
or an alkali halogenide (e.g., KCl, NaCl, KBr, NaBr) can be adopted. In 
spite of using a water-soluble iridium compound, it is possible to adopt a 
method of adding iridium-doped silver halide grains to an emulsion-making 
system during the formation of intended silver halide grains, thereby 
dissolving iridium into the system. 
The total addition amount of iridium compounds for use in the present 
invention is not less than 10.sup.-8 mole, preferably from 
1.times.10.sup.-8 to 1.times.10.sup.-5 mole, most preferably from 
5.times.10.sup.-8 to 5.times.10.sup.-6 mole, per mole of finally formed 
silver halide. 
The addition of those compounds can be done at any stage during the 
preparation of a silver halide emulsion or before the application of the 
emulsion, if desired. In particular, it is advantageous to add them at the 
stage of grain formation, thereby incorporating them into silver halide 
grains. Further, a compound containing a Group VIII atom other than 
iridium may be used in combination with an iridium compound as cited 
above. 
The light-sensitive material prepared in the present invention contains 
water-soluble dyes in hydrophilic colloid layers for various purposes, 
e.g., as a filter dye, for the prevention of irradiation, and so on. 
Examples of such dyes include oxonol dyes, hemioxonol dyes, styryl dyes, 
merocyanine dyes, cyanine dyes and azo dyes. Of these dyes, oxonol dyes, 
hemioxonol dyes, cyanine dyes and merocyanine dyes are used to greater 
advantage. 
As for the anti-halation dyes which can be used in the present invention, 
suitable examples thereof are the indoaniline dyes described in 
JP-A-62-3250 and JP-A-02-259753, the indoaniline complex dyes described in 
JP-A-01-253734, the oxonol dyes described in JP-A-01-227148 and 
JP-A-03-9346, the cyanine dyes described in JP-A-01-147539, JP-A-02-5041, 
JP-A-02-108040, JP-A-02-187751, JP-A-01-297647, JP- A-01-280750, 
JP-A-03-235940, JP-A-04-45438 and European Patent 288,076, and the 
merocyanine dyes described in JP-A-01-25373. 
It is preferable for the light-sensitive materials used in the present 
invention to be rendered heat-developable by the combined use of silver 
halide grains with the silver salt of a long-chain fatty acid, an organic 
reducing agent, a toning agent and so on. 
The light-sensitive materials forming photographic images using such a 
heat-development process are known by being disclosed, for example, in 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,152,903 and 3,457,075 and D. Morgan and B. Shely, 
Thermally processed Silver Systems, (Imaging Processes and Materials, 
Neblette, 8th Edition, edited by Sturge, V. Wlaworth, and A. Shepp, page 
2, 1060. Such a light-sensitive material contains a long-chain fatty acid 
silver salt as a reducible silver source, a catalytic active amount of 
silver halide grains as a photocatalyst, a toning agent for controlling 
the tone of silver, and an organic reducing agent in the state of being 
dispersed in usually in a (organic) binder matrix. The light-sensitive 
material is stable at normal temperature but when the light-sensitive is 
heated to a high temperature (e.g., at least 80.degree. C.) after 
exposure, silver is formed through the oxidation reduction reaction 
between the reducible silver source (functions as an oxidizing agent) and 
the organic reducing agent. The oxidation reduction reaction is 
accelerated by the catalytic action of the latent images formed by the 
light exposure. Silver formed by the reaction of the organic silver salt 
in the light-exposed region provides black images, whereby images are 
formed by the contrast with unexposed regions. 
As examples of the silver salt of a long-chain fatty acid which can be 
employed in the present invention, mention may be made of the silver salts 
of C.sub.8 -C.sub.26 fatty acids containing a terminal carboxylic acid. 
Examples thereof include silver salts of gallic acid, behenic acid, 
stearic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid and oxalic acid, and preferably 
silver salts of behenic acid and stearic acid. 
The silver salt of the long-chain fatty acid for use in the present 
invention can be synthesized according to the methods described, e.g., in 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,457,075, 3,839,049, 3,458,544, 2,910,377, 3,700,458, 
3,761,273, 3,706,565, 3,706,564 and 3,713,833, British Patents 1,347,350, 
1,405,867, 1,362,970 and 1,354,186, JP-A-49-94619, JP-A-53-31611, 
JP-A-50-32926, JP-A-50-17216, JP-B-43-4924 and JP-B-43-4921. 
The silver salt of the long-chain fatty acid for use in the present 
invention may be used in an amount of 0.1 to 3 g/m.sup.2, preferably 0.5 
to 2 g/m.sup.2, based on silver. 
As for the organic reducing agent usable in the present invention, the 
compounds described, e.g., in JP-A-46-6074, JP-B-53-2323, JP-B-51-35851, 
JP-B-53-9753, JP-A-51-51933, JP-A-52-84727, JP-A-50-36110 and 
JP-A-50-116023 are examples thereof. 
Suitable examples of the reducing agent are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,770,448, 3,773,512, and 3,593,863, and Research Disclosure Nos. 17029 
and 29963 and there are aminohydroxychloroalkenone compounds (e.g., 
2-hydroxypiperidino-2-cyclohexenone); aminoreductone esters as the 
precursors as a developing agent (e.g., piperidinohexosereductone 
monoacetate); N-hydroxyurea derivatives (e.g., 
N-p-methylphenyl-N-hydroxyurea); hydrazones of aldehyde or ketone (e.g., 
anthracene aldehyde phenylhydrazone); phosphamidophenols; 
phosphamidoanilines; polyhydroxybenzenes (e.g., hydroquinone, 
t-butyl-hydroquinone, isopropylhydroquinone, and 
2,5-dihydroxy-phenyl)methylsulfone; sulfhydroxamic acids (e.g., 
benzenesulfhydroxamic acid); sulfonamidoanilines (e.g., 
4-(N-methanesulfonamido)aniline); 2-tetrazorylthiohydroquinones (e.g., 
2-methyl-5-(1-phenyl-5-tetrazolylthio)hydroquinone); 
tetrahydroquinoxalines (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline); amidoxines; 
azines (e.g., combinations of aliphatic carboxylic acid arylhydrazides and 
ascorbic acid); a combination of polyhydroxybenzene and hydroxylamine; 
reductones and/or hydrazine; hydroxamic acids; combinations of azines and 
sulfonamidophenols; .alpha.-cyanophenylacetic acid derivatives; 
combinations of bis-.beta.-naphthol and 1,3-dihydroxybenzene derivatives; 
5-pyrazolones; sulfonaidophenol reducing agents; 2-phenylidane-1,3-diones; 
chroman; 1,4-dihydropyridines (e.g., 
2,6-dimethoxy-3,5-dicarboethoxy-1,4-dihydropyridine); bisphenols (e.g., 
bis(2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-methylphenyl)methane, 
bis(6-hydroxy-m-tri)mesitol, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propane, and 
4,4-ethylidene-bis(2-t-butyl-6-methyl)phenol); ultraviolet-sensitive 
ascorbic derivatives and 3-pyrazolidones. 
Preferred reducing agents are hindered phenols represented by formula (A) 
##STR2## 
wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 
carbon atoms (e.g., --C.sub.4 H.sub.9 and 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) and 
R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 5 
carbon atoms (e.g., methyl, ethyl, and t-butyl). 
As for the toning agent usable in the present invention, the compounds 
described, e.g., in JP-A-46-6077, JP-A-49-91215, JP-A-50-2524, 
JP-A-52-33722 and JP-B-52-5845 are examples thereof. 
The suitable binder is transparent or translucent, and generally colorless 
and there are natural polymers, synthetic resins, polymers, copolymers, 
and other media for forming films. For example, there are gelatin, gum 
arabic, poly(vinyl alcohol), hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, 
cellulose acetate butyrate, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), casein, starch, 
poly(acrylic acid), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl chloride) 
poly(methacrylic acid), copoly(styrene-maleic anhydride), 
copoly(styrene-acrylonitrile), copoly(styrene-butadiene), poly(vinyl 
acetals) (e.g., poly(vinyl formal) and poly(vinyl butyral), poly(esters), 
poly(urethanes), a phenoxy resin, poly(vinylidene chloride), 
poly(epoxides), poly(carbonates), poly(vinyl acetate), cellulose esters, 
and poly(amides). The binder may be formed by coating from a solution in 
water or an organic solvent, or an emulsion. 
Examples of the suitable toning agent are disclosed in Research Disclosure 
No. 17029 and there are imides (e.g., phthalimide); cyclic imides; 
pyrazolin-5-ones and quinazolinone (e.g., succinimide, 
3-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one, 1-phenylurazole, quinazoline, and 
2,4-thiazolidinedione); naphthalimides (e.g., 
N-hydroxy-1,8-naphthalimide); cobalt complexes (e.g., hexamine 
trifluoroacetate of cobalt), mercaptans (e.g., 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole); 
N-(aminomethyl)aryldicarboxyimides (e.g., 
N-(dimethyl-aminomethyl)phthalimide); blocked pyrazoles; combinations of 
isothiuronium derivatives and certain light bleaching agents (e.g., a 
combination of N,N'-hexamethylene(1-carbamoyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazole), 
1,8-(3,6-dioxaoctane)bis(isothiuronium trifluoroacetae), and 
2-(tribromomethylsulfonyl)benzothiazole); merocyanine dyes (e.g., 
3-ethyl-5-((3-ethyl-2-benzothiazolinylidene)-1-methylethylidene)-2-thio-2, 
4-oxazolidinedione); phthalazinone, phthalazinone derivatives or the metal 
salts of these derivatives (e.g., 4-(1-naphthyl)phthalazinone, 
6-chlorophthalazinone, 5,7-dimethyloxyphthalazinone, and 
2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione); phthalazone; combinations of 
phthalazinone and sulfinic acid derivatives (e.g., a combination of 
6-chlorophthalazinone and sodium benzenesulfinate, and a combination of 
8-methylphthalazinone and sodium p-trisulfonate); a combination of 
phthalazine and phthalic acid; a combination of phthalazine (including an 
addition product of phthalazine), maleic anhydride and at least one 
compound selected from phthalic acid, 2,3-naphthalenedicaroboxylic acid or 
o-phenylenic acid derivatives and the anhydrides thereof (e.g., phthalic 
acid, 4-methylphthalic acid, 4-nitrophthalic acid, and tertachlorophthalic 
anhydride); quinazolinediones; benzoxazine; orthoxazine derivatives; 
benzoxazine-2,4-diones (e.g., 1,3-benzoxazine-2,4-dione), pyrimidines and 
asymmetrytriazines (e.g., 2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine) and tetrazapentalene 
derivatives (e.g., 
3,6-dimercapto-1,4-diphenyl-1H,4H-2,3a,5,6a-tetrazapentalene. 
The preferred toning agent is phthalazone or phthalazine: 
##STR3## 
An organic reducing agent or toning agent in a state of solid fine 
particles can be prepared mechanically with a known means for fine 
grinding (e.g., a ball mill, a vibrating ball mill, a planetary ball mill, 
a sand mill, a colloid mill, a jet mill, a roller mill) in the presence of 
a dispersing agent and, if necessary, an appropriate solvent (e.g., water, 
an alcohol). Also, any of the compounds cited above can be shaped into 
fine particles using another method, e.g., the method of dissolving such a 
compound in an appropriate solvent in the presence of a surfactant for 
dispersion and then adding the resulting solution to a poor solvent for 
the compound, thereby precipitating the compound in a finely divided form, 
or the method of dissolving such a compound by pH control and then 
changing the pH to deposit it as fine particles. The thus formed fine 
particles of the foregoing compound is dispersed into an appropriate 
binder to prepare a solid dispersion of nearly uniform particles, and 
coated on a given support to provide a layer containing the foregoing 
compound. 
As for the average particle size of the foregoing compound in the solid 
dispersion, it is desirable to be not greater than 10 .mu.m, and more 
desirable to be from 0.01 .mu.m to 6 .mu.m. 
The photographic materials used in the present invention have no particular 
restrictions as to, e.g., additives, and thereto are applicable those 
described in the following patent specifications. 
______________________________________ 
Items References 
______________________________________ 
1) Silver halide emulsions 
JP-A-02-68539, p. 8, right lower 
and Preparation methods 
column, line 6, to p. 10, right 
upper column, line 12; JP-A-03- 
24537, p. 2, right lower column, 
line 10, to p. 6, right upper 
column, line 1, and p. 10, left 
upper column, line 16, to p. 11, 
left lower column, line 19; and 
JP-A-4-107442. 
2) Chemical sensitization 
JP-A-02-68539, p. 10, right 
upper column, line 13, to left 
upper column, line 16; and 
JP-A-5-313282. 
3) Antifoggants and 
JP-A-02-68539, p. 10, left lower 
Stabilizers column, line 17, to p. 11, left 
upper column, line 7, and p. 3, 
left lower column, line 2, to p. 
4, left lower column. 
4) Tone improvers JP-A-62-276539, p. 2, left lower 
column, line 7, to p. 10, left 
lower column, line 20; and JP-A- 
03-94249, p. 6, left lower 
column, line 15, to p. 11, right 
upper column, line 19. 
5) Spectral sensitizing 
JP-A-02-68539, p. 4, right lower 
dyes column, line 4, to p. 8, right 
lower column. 
6) Surfactants and JP-A-02-68539, p. 11, left upper 
Antistatic agents 
column, line 14, to p. 12, left 
upper column, line 9. 
7) Matting agents, JP-A-02-68539, p. 12, left upper 
Slipping agents column, line 10, to right upper 
and Plasticizers 
column, line 10, and p. 14, left 
lower column, line 10, to p. 14, 
right lower column, line 1. 
8) Hydrophilic colloids 
JP-A-02-68539, p. 12, right 
upper columns, line 11, to p. 12, 
left lower column, line 16. 
9) Hardeners JP-A-02-68539, p. 12, left lower 
column, line 17, to p. 13, right 
upper column, line 6. 
10) Supports JP-A-02-68539, p. 13, right 
upper column, lines 7 to 20. 
11) Crossover cut methods 
JP-A-02-264944, p. 4, right 
upper column, line 20, to p. 14, 
right upper column. 
12) Dyes and Mordants 
JP-A-02-68539, p. 13, left lower 
column, line 1, to p. 14, left 
lower column, line 9; JP-A-03- 
24537, p. 14, left lower column, 
to p. 16, right lower column. 
13 Polyhydroxybenzenes 
JP-A-03-39948, p. 11, left upper 
column, to p. 12, left lower 
column; and EP-A-0452772. 
14) Layer structures 
JP-A-03-198041. 
______________________________________ 
In the present invention, heat development after the exposure may be 
conducted under the following conditions. Preferred heat development 
temperature is from 80.degree. C. to 140.degree. C., more preferably from 
100.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. Preferred heat development time is from 1 
sec. to 40 sec., more preferably 3 sec. to 30 sec. The heat development 
may be preferably conducted by contacting the light-sensitive material 
with a heat drum or by radiating the light-sensitive material with far 
infrared radiation.

The present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by reference 
to the following examples. 
EXAMPLE 1 
1. Preparation of Light-sensitive Silver Halide Emulsions 1 and 1A 
Gelatin in the amount of 20 g was added to 800 ml of distilled water, 
dissolved therein at 35.degree. C., and then adjusted to pH 3.8 with 
citric acid. Thereto were added 2.8 g of sodium chloride and 0.2 ml of a 
1% water solution of N,N-dimethylimidazoline-2-thione. The resulting 
solution was further admixed with a solution containing 100 g of silver 
nitrate in 314 ml of distilled water and a solution containing 36.2 g of 
sodium chloride and K.sub.2 IrCl.sub.6 in the amount of 10.sup.-6 mole per 
mole of silver halide to be produced in 314 ml of distilled water. 
After 2-minute lapse, a solution containing 60 g of silver nitrate in 186 
ml of distilled water and a solution containing 21.5 g of sodium chloride 
in 186 ml of distilled water were further added over a 9.5-minute period 
to the aforementioned solution with stirring under a temperature of 
40.degree. C., thereby forming the core part of the desired silver halide 
grains. Thereto, a solution containing 40 g of silver nitrate in 127 ml of 
distilled water and a solution containing 11.9 g of sodium chloride, 5.7 g 
of potassium bromide and K.sub.4 Fe(CN).sub.6 .multidot.3H.sub.2 O in the 
amount of 1.times.10.sup.-5 mole per mole of silver halide to be produced 
in 127 ml of distilled water were further added with stirring over a 
6.5-minute period under a temperature of 40.degree. C. to form the shell 
part. The thus prepared emulsion was named Emulsion 1. 
As a result of the observation under an electron microscope, Emulsion 1 was 
found to comprise cubic silver bromochloride grains having a grain size of 
0.15 .mu.m (the term "grain size" as used herein refers to the average 
diameter of the circles having the same areas as the projected areas of 
individual grains) and a variation coefficient of 10% with respect to the 
grain size distribution. 
After a desalting treatment, the Emulsion 1 was admixed with 100 g of 
gelatin, 100 mg of Proxel, 1.7 g of phenoxyethanol and 0.15 g of nucleic 
acid, and adjusted to pAg 7.7 with sodium chloride. Then, the resulting 
emulsion was chemically sensitized at 60.degree. C. in the following 
manner: The emulsion was admixed with 43 mg of sodium thiosulfonate, 
allowed to stand for 5 minutes, admixed with 8.7 mg of sodium thiosulfate, 
once more allowed to stand for 5 minutes, admixed with 18.8 mg of 
chloroauric acid, ripened for 60 minutes, and then solidified by rapid 
quenching as 0.38 g of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetrazaindene was added 
thereto. The thus obtained emulsion was named Emulsion 1A. 
2. Preparation of Light-Sensitive Silver Halide Emulsions 2 to 4 and 2A to 
4A Three other couples of Emulsions were prepared in the same manner as 
the foregoing couple of Emulsions 1 and 1A, except that the grain growth 
was carried out at different temperatures. 
3. Preparation of Coated Samples 
Layer A; 
______________________________________ 
Gelatin 1 g/m.sup.2 
Dye I-1 illustrated below 
20 mg/m.sup.2 
______________________________________ 
&lt;Preparation of Dispersion of Dye I-1&gt; 
2.5 of Dye I-1 , 10.3 g of a 4.3% of surfactant (Triton X-200, trade mark, 
a product of Rohm & Hass Co., Ltd.) and 50.5 g of water were mixed with 
stirring. The resulting mixture was placed in an Eiger Motor Mill (M-50, 
made by Eiger Japan Co.) in which 40 cc of zirconia beads measuring from 
0.8 mm to 1.2 mm in diameter were kept, and dispersed at 5,000 r.p.m. to 
prepare a dispersion of microcrystalline dye having a grain size of no 
greater than 1 .mu.m. A 50 g portion of the thus prepared dispersion, 1.8 
g of gelatin and 13.3 g of water were mixed at 40.degree. C. with 
stirring, and used for the preparation of the photosensitive materials 
relating to the present invention. 
##STR4## 
Layer B; Light-sensitive Layer 
The following ingredients were added to Emulsion 1A in their respective 
amounts set forth below per mole of silver halide to prepare the coating 
solution for a light-sensitive layer. 
a. Spectral sensitizing dye 1! 7.3.times.10.sup.-5 mole 
##STR5## 
b. Supersensitizer 2!0.42 g 
##STR6## 
c. Polyacrylamide (molecular weight: 4.times.10.sup.4) 9.2 g 
d. Trimethylolpropane 1.4 g 
e. Latex of ethylacrylate/acrylic acid (95/5) copolymer 20 g 
f. Compound 3! 0.38 g 
##STR7## 
g. Compound 4! 0.085 g 
##STR8## 
Layer C; Topcoat Layer 
In a vessel warmed up to 40.degree. C. were placed the following 
ingredients in their respective amounts shown below to prepare a coating 
solution. 
______________________________________ 
a. Gelatin 100 g 
b. Polyacrylamide (Molecular weight: 
8.7 g 
4 .times. 10.sup.4) 
c. Sodium polystyrenesulfone 
0.8 g 
(molecular weight: 6.0 .times. 10.sup.5) 
d. Fine particles of polymethylmethacrylate 
2.7 g 
(average particle size: 2.5 .mu.m) 
e. Sodium polyacrylate 2.6 g 
f. Sodium t-octylphenoxyethoxyethanesulfonate 
1.6 g 
g. C.sub.16 H.sub.33 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.10 --H 
3.6 g 
h. C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.3 K 
176 mg 
i. C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.2 N(C.sub.3 H.sub.7)(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 
O).sub.4 (CH.sub.2).sub.4 SO.sub.3 Na 
88 mg 
j. NaOH 0.2 g 
k. Methanol 83 ml 
l. 1,2-bis(vinylsulfonylacetamido)ethane 
in the proportion of 2.5% by weight to 
the total gelatin present in the 
emulsion layer and the surface 
protecting layer 
m. Compound 5! 56 mg 
______________________________________ 
in the proportion of 2.52% by weight to the total gelatin present in the 
emulsion layer and the surface protecting layer 
m. Compound 5! 56 mg 
##STR9## 
4. Preparation of Coating Solution for Backing Layer 
In a vessel warmed up to 40.degree. C. were placed the following 
ingredients in their respective amounts shown below to prepare a coating 
solution for a backing layer. 
______________________________________ 
a. Gelatin 100 g 
b. Dye (A) 2.1 g 
______________________________________ 
##STR10## 
______________________________________ 
C. sodium polystyrene sulfonate 
1.26 g 
d. Phosphoric acid 0.4 g 
e. Latex of ethylacrylate/acrylic acid 
2.2 g 
(95/5) copolymer 
f. Compound 5! 42 mg 
g. Dye dispersion L described below 
18.7 g 
______________________________________ 
C. Sodium polystyrenesulfonate 1.26 g 
d. Phosphoric acid 0.4 g 
e. Latex of ethylacrylate/acrylic acid (95/5) copolymer 2.2 g 
f. Compound 5! 42 mg 
g. Dye dispersion L described below 18.7 g 
&lt;Preparation of Dye Dispersion L&gt; 
A dye (Dye-I) and oils (Oil-I and Oil-II) illustrated below in the amount 
of 2.5 g each were dissolved in 50 ml of ethyl acetate, and admixed at 
60.degree. C. with 90 g of a 8% aqueous gelatin solution containing 1.5 g 
of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and 0.18 g of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, 
followed by high-speed agitation with a homogenizer. The thus agitated 
matter was evaporated at 60.degree. C. under reduced pressure to remove 92 
wt % of the ethyl acetate. Thus, a dye dispersion L having an average 
particle size of 0.18 .mu.m was obtained. 
Dye-I 
##STR11## 
Oil-I Oil-II 
##STR12## 
h. Dispersion of Dye (B) in an oil as described in JP-A-61-285445 
65 mg (on a dye basis) 
Dye (B) 
##STR13## 
5. Preparation of Coating Solution for Topcoat Layer of Backing Layer 
In a vessel warmed up to 40.degree. C. were placed the following 
ingredients in their respective amounts shown below to prepare a coating 
solution. 
______________________________________ 
a. Gelatin 100 g 
b. Sodium polystyrenesulfonate 
0.78 g 
c. Fine particles of polymethylmethacrylate 
4.3 g 
(average particle size: 3.5 .mu.m) 
d. Sodium t-octylphenoxyethoxyethanesulfonate 
2 g 
e. Sodium polyacrylate 1.8 g 
f. C.sub.16 H.sub.33 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.10 --H 
4.05 g 
g. C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.3 K 
396 mg 
h. C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.2 N(C.sub.3 H.sub.7) (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 
O).sub.4 (CH.sub.2).sub.4 SO.sub.3 Na 
52 mg 
i. NaOH 0.24 g 
j. Methanol 148 ml 
k. 1,2-bis(vinylsulfonylacetamido)ethane 
in the proportion 
of 2.2% by weight 
to the total 
gelatin present in 
the backing layer 
and the surface 
protecting layer 
l. Compound 5! 52.5 mg 
______________________________________ 
6. Preparation of Photographic Materials 
To one side of a blue-colored polyethylene terephthalate support, the 
aforementioned coating solutions for a backing layer and a topcoat layer 
of a backing layer were applied simultaneously at the gelatin coverage 
rates of 2.30 g/m.sup.2 and 1.02 g/m.sup.2, respectively. 
Successively thereto, the other side of the support were coated 
simultaneously with the aforementioned layers A, B and C, which were 
arranged in that order, to prepare a photosensitive material No. 1. Other 
photographic materials Nos. 2 to 8 were prepared in the same manner as 
described above, except that at least either the emulsion comprised in the 
Layer B or the coverage rate thereof was changed as shown in Table 1. 
7. Preparation of Developer and Fixer 
&lt;Developer (prepared 
______________________________________ 
Ingredient Amount used (g/l) 
______________________________________ 
&lt;Developer (prepared solution)&gt; 
Sodium sulfite 30 
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 
4 
Potassium carbonate 55.2 
L-ascorbic acid 40.1 
Potassium bromide 0.5 
4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-1-phenyl- 
1.65 
3-pyrazolidone 
5-Methylbenzotriazole 
0.6 
Acetic acid 39.3 
The pH of the developer was adjusted to 10.0. 
&lt;Fixer (prepared solution)&gt; 
Sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate 
290 
Sodium hydrogen sulfite 
24.6 
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate 
0.025 
dihydrate 
Sodium hydroxide 2.3 
The pH of the fixer was adjusted to 5.6. 
______________________________________ 
The pH of the fixer was adjusted to 5.6. 
8. Observation of Interference fringe 
i) Exposure to Laser Light in Single-Longitudinal-Mode 
Each of the photographic materials prepared above was cut into B4 size 
sheets, underwent the uniform exposure by scanning laser light (laser 
wavelength: 780 nm) on the emulsion side by means of ML44114N made by 
Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and subjected to the photographic processing 
with an automatic developing machine, CEPROS-30, made by Fuji Photo Film 
Co., Ltd., in which the Dry-to-Dry processing time was set at 30 seconds. 
Thus, an uniform image having an optical density of 0.4 after the fog 
density was deduced was formed throughout the light-sensitive material, 
and examined for interference fringe. An evaluation was made by grading 
them by the extent of interference fringe in accordance with the criterion 
described below: 
______________________________________ 
Criterion of Evaluation 
Mark 
______________________________________ 
Interference fringe is observed distinctly 
x 
(so it is on a impractical level) 
Interference fringe is observed faintly 
.DELTA. 
Interference fringe is not observed in a 
.oval-hollow. 
practical sense 
______________________________________ 
ii) Exposure to Laser Light in Multi-Longitudinal-Mode 
Uniform images were formed in the same manner as described above, except 
that the exposure was performed using laser light in 
multi-longitudinal-mode produced by the method of superimposing high 
frequency waves one upon another as described in JP-A-59-130494. 
9. Graininess 
Each uniform image having the optical density of 0.4 was exposed to diffuse 
light (780 nm), and the graininess thereof was evaluated by visual 
observation. 
______________________________________ 
Criterion of Evaluation 
Mark 
______________________________________ 
Graininess is on a satisfactory level 
.oval-hollow. 
Graininess is on an average (practically 
.DELTA. 
allowable) level 
Graininess is on an unsatisfactory level 
x 
______________________________________ 
10. Fixability 
In the photographic processing described above, the temperature of the 
fixer was maintained at 18.degree. C., and the washing temperature was set 
at 7.degree. C. Each image obtained under such a condition was examined 
for fixability in the Dmin area. 
______________________________________ 
Criterion of Evaluation 
Mark 
______________________________________ 
Fixability is on a satisfactory level 
.oval-hollow. 
Fixability is somewhat poor, but on 
.DELTA. 
allowable level 
Fixability is on an unsatisfactory level 
x 
______________________________________ 
TABLE 1 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Emul- 
Grain 
Ag Cover- 
Inter- 
Process- 
Sample 
sion 
Size 
age of 
Graini- 
ference 
ability 
Test No. 
Laser Mode 
No. No. of AgX 
AgX ness 
Fringe 
(Fixability) 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
1 multi 1 1A 0.05 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
2 multi 2 2A 0.12 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
3 multi 3 3A 0.4 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
x .largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
4 multi 4 4A 1 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
x .largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
5 multi 5 1A 0.05 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
6 multi 6 2A 0.12 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
7 multi 7 3A 0.4 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
8 multi 8 4A 1 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
9 single 
1 1A 0.05 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
x .largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
10 single 
2 2A 0.12 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
x .largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
11 single 
3 3A 0.4 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
x x .largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
12 single 
4 4A 1 .mu.m 
0.9 g/m.sup.2 
x .DELTA. 
.largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
13 single 
5 1A 0.05 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
x x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
14 single 
6 2A 0.12 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
15 single 
7 3A 0.4 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
16 single 
8 4A 1 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
As can be seen from Table 1, the present method for image formation was 
superior. 
EXAMPLE 2 
1. Preparation of Silver Behenate A 
Gelatin (which had received an ion exchange treatment) in the amount of 73 
g was added to 1,000 ml of water and dissolved therein by heating at 
50.degree. C. Thereto was added 31 g of behenic acid, and it was heated at 
90.degree. C. to dissolve the behenic acid therein. Further, the resulting 
solution was admixed with 39 ml of 1N NaOH and 2 g of NaCO.sub.2, and 
stirred for 4 minutes at 12,000 r.p.m. by means of a homogenizer. Thus, a 
monodisperse fine grain dispersion of behenic acid/sodium behenate mixture 
was obtained. The dispersion thus obtained was heated to 50.degree. C., 
adjusted to pH 7 with HNO.sub.3, and then admixed with 0.1 g of 
N-bromosuccinimide. Thereto was added a solution of 12 g of silver nitrate 
in 47 ml of water over a 5-minute period with stirring at 1,200 r.p.m. 
After cooling down to 35.degree. C., the resulting reaction mixture was 
subjected to a desalting treatment with a flocculant, admixed with gelatin 
(which had undergone an ion exchange treatment) and then adjusted to pH 6 
with NaOH. Thus, an intended silver behenate Dispersion A was prepared. 
2. Preparation of Coated Samples 
Layer A; 
Gelatin (not yet subjected to 1 g/m.sup.2 any ion exchange treatment) 
Dye I-1 illustrated below 10 mg/m.sup.2 
##STR14## 
Layer B: Light-sensitive Layer 
______________________________________ 
Silver behenate Dispersion A 
3 g/m.sup.2, based on Ag 
Silver halide emulsion as described 
Amount shown 
in Example 1 in Table 2 
Spectral sensitizing dye 1! 
2 .times. 10.sup.-7 mole 
Supersensitizer 2! 
1 mg 
Trimethylolpropane 39 mg 
Sodium benzenesulfinate 
4 mg 
Phthalazinone 200 mg 
Reducing agent 800 mg 
______________________________________ 
Spectral sensitizing dye 1! 
##STR15## 
Supersensitizer 2! 
##STR16## 
Reducing Agent 
##STR17## 
Layer C; Topcoat Layer 
______________________________________ 
Gelatin (having received an ion 
0.6 g/m.sup.2 
exchange treatment 
Polymethylmethacrylate (average 
27 mg/m.sup.2 
particle size: 2.5 .mu.m) 
Sodium t-octylphenoxyethoxyethane- 
16 mg/m.sup.2 
sulfonate 
C.sub.16 H.sub.33 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.10 --H 
36 mg 
C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.3 K 
1.76 mg 
C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.2 N(C.sub.3 H.sub.7) (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.4 
(CH.sub.2).sub.4 SO.sub.3 Na 
0.88 mg 
NaOH 2 mg 
Methanol 0.83 ml 
1,2-bis(vinylsulfonylacetamido)ethane 
in the proportion of 
2.5% by weight to 
the total gelatin 
present in the 
photosensitive layer 
and the topcoat 
layer 
Compound 5! 56 mg 
______________________________________ 
in the proportion of 
2.5% by weight to the total gelatin present in the photosensitive layer and 
the topcoat layer 
Compound 5! 56 mg 
##STR18## 
3. Preparation of Coating Solution for Backing Layer: In a vessel warmed up 
to 40.degree. C. were placed the following ingredients in their respective 
amounts shown below to prepare a coating solution for a backing layer. 
______________________________________ 
a. Gelatin 100 g 
b. Dye (A) 2.1 g 
______________________________________ 
##STR19## 
______________________________________ 
C. Sodium polystyrenesulfonate 
1.26 g 
d. Phosphoric acid 0.4 g 
e. Latex of ethylacrylate/acrylic acid 
2.2 g 
(95/5) copolymer 
f. Compound 5! 42 mg 
g. Dye dispersion L described below 
18.7 g 
______________________________________ 
&lt;Preparation of Dye Dispersion L&gt; 
A dye (Dye-I) and oils (Oil-I and Oil-II) illustrated below in the amount 
of 2.5 g each were dissolved in 50 ml of ethyl acetate, and admixed at 
60.degree. C. with 90 g of a 8% aqueous gelatin solution containing 1.5 g 
of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and 0.18 g of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, 
followed by high-speed agitation with a homogenizer. The thus agitated 
matter was evaporated at 60.degree. C. under reduced pressure to remove 92 
wt % of the ethyl acetate. Thus, a dye dispersion L having an average 
particle size of 0.18 .mu.m was obtained. 
Dye-I 
##STR20## 
Oil-I Oil-II 
##STR21## 
h. Dispersion of Dye (B) in an oil as described in JP-A-61-285445 
65 mg (on a dye basis) 
Dye (B) 
##STR22## 
4. Preparation of coating Solution for Topcoat Layer of Backing Layer: 
In a vessel warmed up to 40.degree. C. were placed the following 
ingredients in their respective amounts shown below to prepare a coating 
solution. 
______________________________________ 
a. Gelatin 100 g 
b. Sodium polystyrenesulfonate 
0.78 g 
c. Fine particles of polymethylmethacrylate 
4.3 g 
(average particle size: 3.5 .mu.m) 
d. Sodium t-octylphenoxyethoxyethanesulfonate 
2 g 
e. Sodium polyacrylate 1.8 g 
f. C.sub.16 H.sub.3 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.10 --H 
4.05 g 
g. C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.3 K 
396 mg 
h. C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.2 N(C.sub.3 H.sub.7) (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 
O).sub.4 (CH.sub.2).sub.4 SO.sub.3 Na 
52 mg 
i. NaOH 0.24 g 
j. Methanol 148 ml 
k. 1,2-bis(vinylsulfonylacetamido)ethane 
in the proportion 
of 2.2% by weight 
to the total 
gelatin present in 
the backing layer 
and the surface 
protecting layer 
l. Compound 5! 52.5 mg 
______________________________________ 
in the proportion of 2.2% by weight to the total gelatin present in the 
backing layer and the surface 
protecting layer 
1. Compound 5! 52.5 mg 
5. Preparation of Photographic Materials 
To one side of a blue-colored polyethylene terephthalate support, the 
aforementioned coating solutions for a backing layer and a topcoat layer 
of a backing layer were applied simultaneously at the gelatin coverage 
rates of 2.30 g/m.sup.2 and 1.02 g/m.sup.2, respectively. 
Successively thereto, the other side of the support were coated 
simultaneously with the aforementioned layers A, B and C, which were 
arranged in that order. Thus, intended photographic materials as shown in 
Table 2 were prepared. 
Additionally, the phtalazone and the reducing agent were incorporated in 
Layer B as a fine grain dispersion prepared in the following manner: The 
phtalozone and the reducing agent each in the amount of 2.5 g were mixed 
with 3 g of a 25% aqueous solution of W-1 (Demohr SNB, trade name, a 
product of Kao Corp.) and 57.8 g of water with stirring. Then, the mixture 
was placed in a sand grinder mill (1/16 G, made by Aimex Co., Ltd.) in 
which 100 cc of glass beads measuring from 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm in diameter 
were kept, and dispersed at 1,800 r.p.m. W-1 
##STR23## 
6. Observation of Interference Fringe 
The extent of interference fringe was evaluated by the same method as in 
Example 1, except that the exposure and the processing adopted herein were 
as follows; 
Exposure 
i) Exposure to Laser Light in Single-Longitudinal-Mode 
The same exposure was conducted as in Example 1 
(laser wavelength: 780 nm) 
ii) Exposure to Laser Light in Multi-Longitudinal-Mode 
The same exposure was conducted as in Example 1 (laser wavelength: 780 nm) 
except for using a multi-longitudinal-mode laser diode, ML40110R, made by 
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. 
Processing 
After exposure, heat development was carried out at 120.degree. C. for 5 
seconds by means of a heat drum. 
7. Graininess 
The graininess of each image having the optical density of 0.4 was examined 
in the same way as in Example 1 and evaluated by visual observation 
according to the same criterion as in Example 1. 
8. Image Stability 
The Dmin area after the processing was allowed to stand for one day under 
white light, and examined for the extent of stain generated therein. 
______________________________________ 
Criterion of Evaluation 
Mark 
______________________________________ 
Stain is slight enough to be allowable 
.oval-hollow. 
Stain is so distinct as to be improper to 
x 
practical purpose 
______________________________________ 
TABLE 2 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Emul- 
Grain 
Ag Cover- 
Inter- 
Sample 
sion 
Size 
age of 
Graini- 
ference 
Image 
Test No. 
Laser Mode 
No. No. of AgX 
AgX ness 
Fringe 
Stability 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
21 multi 11 1 0.05 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
22 multi 12 2 0.12 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
23 multi 13 3 0.4 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
x .largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
24 multi 14 4 1 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
x .largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
25 multi 15 1 0.05 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
26 multi 16 2 0.12 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
27 multi 17 3 0.4 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
28 multi 18 4 1 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
29 single 
11 1 0.05 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
x .largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
30 single 
12 2 0.12 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
x .largecircle. 
(invention) 
longitudinal 
31 single 
13 3 0.4 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
x x .largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
32 single 
14 4 1 .mu.m 
0.75 g/m.sup.2 
x .DELTA. 
.largecircle. 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
33 single 
15 1 0.05 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
x x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
34 single 
16 2 0.12 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
35 single 
17 3 0.4 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
36 single 
18 4 1 .mu.m 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 
.largecircle. 
.largecircle. 
x 
(comparison) 
longitudinal 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
As can be seen from Table 2, the present method for image formation was 
superior. 
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to 
specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the 
art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without 
departing from the spirits and scope thereof.