Light-sensitive material containing silver halide, reducing agent and polymerizable compound and further comprising a white pigment

A light-sensitive material comprising a light-sensitive layer containing silver halide, a reducing agent and a polymerizable compound provided on a support (the polymerizable compound is contained in microcapsules which are dispersed in the light-sensitive layer), characterized in that the light-sensitive layer further contains a white pigment which is arranged outside of the microcapsules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a light-sensitive material comprising a 
light-sensitive layer containing silver halide, a reducing agent and a 
polymerizable compound provided on a support. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
Light-sensitive materials comprising a light-sensitive layer containing 
silver halide, a reducing agent and a polymerizable compound provided on a 
support can be used in an image forming method in which a latent image of 
silver halide is formed, and then the polymerizable compound is 
polymerized to form the corresponding image. 
Examples of said image forming methods are described in Japanese Patent 
Publication Nos. 45(1970)-11149 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 
3,697,275), 47(1972)-20741 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,667) and 
49(1974)-10697, and Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 
57(1982)-138632, 57(1982)-152638, 57(1982)-176033, 57(1982)-211146 
(corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,997), 58(1983)-107529 (corresponding 
to U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,637), 58(1983)-121031 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,547,450) and 58(1983)-169143. In these image forming methods, when 
the exposed silver halide is developed using a developing solution, the 
polymerizable compound is induced to polymerize in the presence of a 
reducing agent (which is oxidized) to form a polymer image. Thus, these 
methods need a wet development process employing a developing solution. 
Therefore the process takes a relatively long time for the operation. 
An improved image forming method employing a dry process is described in 
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 61(1986)-69062 and 
61(1986)-73145 (the contents of both publications are described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,629,676 and European Patent Provisional Publication No. 
0174634A2). In this image forming method, a recording material (i.e., 
light-sensitive material) comprising a light-sensitive layer containing a 
light-sensitive silver salt (i.e., silver halide), a reducing agent, a 
cross-linkable compound (i.e., polymerizable compound) and a binder 
provided on a support is imagewise exposed to form a latent image, and 
then the material is heated to polymerize within the area where the latent 
image of the silver halide has been formed. The above method employing the 
dry process and the light-sensitive material employable for such method 
are also described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 
61(1986)-183640, 61(1986)-188535 and 61(1986)-228441. 
The above-mentioned image forming methods are based on the principle in 
which the polymerizable compound is polymerized within the area where a 
latent image of the silver halide has been formed. 
Further, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 61(1986)-260241 
describes another image forming method in which the polymerizable compound 
within the area where a latent image of the silver halide has not been 
formed is polymerized. In this method, when the material is heated, the 
reducing agent functions as polymerization inhibitor within the area where 
a latent image of the silver halide has been formed, and the polymerizable 
compound within the other area is polymerized. 
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 61(1986)-73145 (corresponding 
to U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,676 and European Patent Provisional Publication No. 
0174634A2) describes an embodiment of the light-sensitive material, 
wherein the polymerizable compound is contained in microcapsules. The 
light-sensitive material containing the microcapsules is advantageously 
easy to handle, because the material is reduced in tackiness of the 
surface of its light-sensitive layer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present inventor has noted that the microcapsules contained in the 
light-sensitive layer remarkably scatters light impinging upon the layer, 
and such scattering causes deterioration in sharpness of the obtained 
image. 
In more detail, when light impinges upon a light-sensitive material, the 
light is scatteringly refracted or reflected by walls of the microcapsules 
in the light-sensitive layer. The refracted or reflected light advances to 
adjoining microcapsules so that the adjoining microcapsules are 
incidentally exposed to the scattered light. Therefore, silver halide 
enclosed with the adjoining microcapsules within an area where no light 
applied is forced to be exposed to the scattered light. As a result, an 
image obtained according to the above-mentioned image-forming method is 
reduced in sharpness. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a light-sensitive 
material which gives a clear image improved in the sharpness. 
There is provided by the present invention a light-sensitive material 
comprising a light-sensitive layer containing silver halide, a reducing 
agent and a polymerizable compound provided on a support, wherein the 
polymerizable compound is contained in microcapsules which are dispersed 
in the light-sensitive layer, characterized in that the light-sensitive 
layer further contains a white pigment which is arranged outside of the 
microcapsules. 
In the light-sensitive material of the invention, the white pigment has a 
function of reducing spread of reflected or reracted light in the 
light-sensitive layer. Further, the presence of a white pigment reduces an 
amount of light to be reflected by the surface of the support. Therefore, 
the light-sensitive material of the invention can give a clear image 
improved in the sharpness. 
The white pigment does not substantially reduce the total amount of light 
to which the light-sensitive layer is exposed. Therefore, the 
light-sensitive material of the invention has the above-mentioned 
advantages without essentially reducing the sensitivity. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The light-sensitive material of the invention is characterized in that the 
light-sensitive layer contains a white pigment which is arranged outside 
of the microcapsules. 
There is no specific limitation with respect to the white pigment, so long 
as it has a hiding power. It matters little whether the white pigment is 
strictly achromatic or not. 
Examples of the white pigment include titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, 
calcium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, lithopone, alumina 
white, zinc oxide, silicon dioxide, antimony trioxide, titanium phosphate 
and zinc sulfide. These white pigments can be used singly or in 
combination with each other. Among them, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, 
zinc oxide, calcium carbonate and zinc sulfide are preferred. 
In the light-sensitive material of the invention, titanium dioxide and zinc 
oxide are more preferred, because these have a high whiteness index and 
are easy to disperse in the light-sensitive layer. Further, titanium 
dioxide is most preferred. The particles of titanium dioxide may be of 
rutile type of anatase type. The rutile type titanium dioxide is 
particularly preferred. The surface of the titanium dioxide particle can 
be coated with an inorganic material (e.g., a hydrate of alumina, a 
hydrate of silicon dioxide and zinc oxide) or an organic material (e.g, 
trimethylolmethane, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 
2,4-dihydroxy-2-methylpentane). The surface of the particle can be also 
treated with a siloxane, such as polydimethylsiloxane. 
In the light-sensitive layer, the microcapsules can be arranged in contact 
with each other. In this case, the white pigment preferably is arranged 
among the space formed by microcapsules adjoining to each other. For such 
arrangement, particles of the white pigment preferably have an average 
diameter of not larger than one fifth part of the average diameter of the 
microcapsules, and more preferably have an average diameter of not larger 
than one tenth part of that of the microcapsules. In general, the 
particles of the white pigment preferably have an average diameter of from 
0.05 to 5 .mu.m. 
In the light-sensitive material of the invention, the white pigment is 
preferably contained in an amount of not less than 1 weight % based on the 
total solid content of the light-sensitive layer. The white pigment is 
more preferably contained in an amount of 5 to 50 weight %. The white 
pigment which is used in an amount of not more than 50 weight % has very 
little influence on the sensitivity of the light-sensitive material. 
The silver halide, the reducing agent, the polymerizable compound, the 
support and the microcapsules containing the polymerizable compound which 
constitute the light-sensitive material of the invention in addition to 
the white pigment are described below. Thus composed material is referred 
hereinafter to as "light-sensitive material". 
There is no specific limitation with respect to silver halide contained in 
the light-sensitive layer of the light-sensitive material. Examples of the 
silver halides include as silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide, 
silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide, silver iodobromide, and silver 
chloroiodobromide in the form of grains. 
The halogen composition of individual grains may be homogeneous or 
heterogeneous. The heterogeneous grains having a multilayered structure in 
which the halogen composition varies from the core to the outer shell (see 
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 57(1982)-154232, 
58(1983)-108533, 59(1984)-48755 and 59(1984)-52237, U.S. Pat. No. 
4,433,048, and European Patent No. 100,984) can be employed. A silver 
halide grain having a core/shell structure in which the silver iodide 
content in the shell is higher than that in the core can be also employed. 
There is no specific limitation on the crystal habit of silver halide 
grains. For example, a tubular grain having an aspect ratio of not less 
than 3 can be used. 
Two or more kinds of silver halide grains which differ in halogen 
composition, crystal habit, grain size, and/or other features from each 
other can be used in combination. 
There is no specific limitation on grain size distribution of silver halide 
grains. For example, the silver halide grains having such a grain size 
distribution that the coefficient of the variation is not more than 20% 
can be employed. 
The silver halide grains ordinarily have a mean size of 0.001 to 5 .mu.m, 
more preferably 0.001 to .mu.m. 
The total silver content (including silver halide and an organic silver 
salt which is one of optional components) in the light-sensitive layer 
preferably is in the range of from 0.1 mg/m.sup.2 to 10 g/m.sup.2. The 
silver content of the silver halide in the light-sensitive layer 
preferably is not more than 0.1 g/m.sup.2, more preferably in the range of 
from 1 mg to 90 mg/m.sup.2. 
The reducing agent employed in the light-sensitive material has a function 
of reducing the silver halide and/or a function of accelerating or 
restraining a polymerization of the polymerizable compound. Examples of 
the reducing agents having these functions include various compounds, such 
as hydroquinones, catechols, p-aminophenols, p-phenylenediamines, 
3-pyrazolidones, 3-aminopyrazoles, 4-amino-5-pyrazolones, 5-aminouracils, 
4,5-dihydroxy-6-aminopyrimidines, reductones, aminoreductones, o- or 
p-sulfonamidophenols, o- or p-sulfonamidonaphthols, 
2-sulfonamidoindanones, 4-sulfonamido-5-pyrazolones, 3-sulfonamidoindoles, 
sulfonamidopyrazolobenzimidazoles, sulfonamidopyrazolotriazoles, 
.alpha.-sulfonamidoketones, hydrazines, etc. Depending on the nature or 
amount of the reducing agent, the polymerizable compound within either the 
area where a latent image of the silver halide has been formed or the area 
where a latent image of the silver halide has not been formed can be 
polymerized. In the developing system in which the polymerizable compound 
within the area where the latent image has not been formed is polymerized, 
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone is preferably employed as the reducing agent. 
The light-sensitive materials employing the reducing agent having these 
functions (including compounds referred to as developing agent, hydrazine 
derivative or precursor of reducing agent) are described in Japanese 
Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 61(1986)-183640, 61(1986)-188535 and 
61(1986)-228441. These reducing agents are also described in T. James, 
"The Theory of the Photographic Process", 4th edition, pp. 291-334 (1977), 
Research Disclosure No. 17029, pp. 9-15 (June 1978), and Research 
Disclosure No. 17643, pp. 22-31 (December 1978). The reducing agents 
described in the these publications can be employed in the light-sensitive 
material of the present invention. Thus, "the reducing agent(s)"in the 
present specification means to include all of the reducing agents 
described in the above mentioned publications and applications. 
These reducing agents can be used singly or in combination. In the case 
that two or more reducing agents are used in combination, certain 
interactions between these reducing agents may be expected. One of the 
interactions is for acceleration of reduction of silver halide (and/or an 
organic silver salt) through so-called superadditivity. Other interaction 
is for a chain reaction in which an oxidized state of one reducing agent 
formed by a reduction of silver halide (and/or an organic silver salt) 
induces or inhibits the polymerization of the polymerizable compound via 
oxidation-reduction reaction with other reducing agent. Both interactions 
may occur simultaneously. Thus, it is difficult to determine which of the 
interactions has occurred in practical use. 
Examples of these reducing agents include pentadecylhydroquinone, 
5-t-butylcatechol, p-(N,N-diethylamino)phenol, 
1-phenyl-4-methyl-4-hydroxymethyl-3-pyrazolidone, 
1-phenyl-4-methyl-4-heptadecylcarbonyloxymethyl-3-pyrazolidone, 
2-phenylsulfonylamino-4-hexadecyloxy-5-t-octylphenol, 
2-phenylsulfonylamino-4-t-butyl-5-hexadecyloxyphenol, 
2-(N-butylcarbamoyl)-4-phenylsulfonylaminonaphtol, 
2-(N-methyl-N-octadecylcarbamoyl)-4-sulfonylaminonaphthol, 
1-acetyl-2-phenylhydrazine, 1-acetyl-2-(p- or o-aminophenyl)hydrazine, 
1-formyl-2-(p- or o-aminophenyl)hydrazine, 1-acetyl-2-(p- or 
o-methoxyphenyl)hydrazine, 1-lauroyl-2-(p- or o-aminophenyl)hydrazine, 
1-trityl-2-(2,6-dichloro-4-cyanophenyl)hydrazine, 
1-trityl-2-phenylhydrazine, 1-phenyl-2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)hydrazine, 
1-{2-(2,5-di-tert-pentylphenoxy)butyloyl}-2-(p- or 
o-aminophenyl)hydrazine, 1-{2-(2,5-di-t-pentylphenoxy)butyloyl}-2-(p- or 
o-aminophenyl)hydrazine pentadecylfluorocaprylate salt, 3-indazolinone, 
1-(3,5-dichlorobenzoyl)-2-phenylhydrazine, 
1-trityl-2-[{(2-N-butyl-N-octylsulfamoyl)-4-methanesulfonyl}phenyl]hydrazi 
ne, 1-{4-(2,5-di-tert-pentylphenoxy)butyloyl}-2-(p- or 
o-methoxyphenyl)hydrazine, 
1-(methoxycarbonylbenzohydryl)-2-phenylhydrazine, 
1-formyl-2-[4-{2-(2,4-di-tert-pentylphenoxy)butylamide}phenyl]hydrazine, 
1-acetyl-2-[4-{ 2-(2,4-di-tert-pentylphenoxy)butylamido}phenly]hydrazine, 
1-trityl-2-[{2,6-dichloro-4-(N,N-di-2-ethylhexyl)carbamoyl}phenyl]hydrazin 
e, 1-(methoxycarbonylbenzohydryl)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)hydrazine, 
1-trityl-2-[{2-(N-ethyl-N-octylsulfamoyl)-4-methanesulfonyl}phenyl]hydrazi 
ne, 1-benzoyl-2-tritylhydrazine, 1-(4-butoxybenzoyl)-2-tritylhydrazine, 
1-(2,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-2-tritylhydrazine, 
1-(4-dibutylcarbamoylbenzoyl)-2-tritylhydrazine and 
1-(1-naphthoyl)-2-tritylhydrazine. 
The amount of the reducing agent in the light-sensitive layer preferably 
ranges from 0.1 to 1,500 mole % based on the amount of silver (contained 
in the above-mentioned silver halide and an organic silver salt). 
There is no specific limitation with respect to the polymerizable compound, 
and any known polymerizable compounds including monomers, oligomers and 
polymers can be contained in the light-sensitive layer. In the case that 
heat development (i.e., thermal development) is utilized for developing 
the light-sensitive material, the polymerizable compounds having a 
relatively higher boiling point (e.g., 80.degree. C. or higher) that are 
hardly evaporated upon heating are preferably employed. In the case that 
the light-sensitive layer contains a color image forming substance, the 
polymerizable compounds are preferably cross-linkable compounds having 
plural polymerizable groups in the molecule, because such cross-linkage 
compounds favorably serve for fixing the color image forming substance in 
the course of polymerization hardening of the polymerizable compounds. 
The polymerizable compound employable for the light-sensitive material are 
described in the above-mentioned and later-mentioned publications 
concerning the light-sensitive material. 
Preferred polymerizable compounds employable for the light-sensitive 
material are compounds which are polymerizable through addition reaction 
or ring-opening reaction. Preferred examples of the compounds being 
polymerizable through addition reaction include compounds having an 
ethylenic unsaturated group. Preferred examples of the compounds being 
polymerizable through ring-opening reaction include the compounds having 
an epoxy group. Among them, the compounds having an ethylenic unsaturated 
group are preferred. 
Examples of compounds having an ethylenic unsaturated group include acrylic 
acid, salts of acrylic acid, acrylic esters, acrylamides, methacrylic 
acid, salts of methacrylic acid, methacrylic esters, methacrylamide, 
maleic anhydride, maleic esters, itaconic esters, styrene, styrene 
derivatives, vinyl ethers, vinyl esters, N-vinyl heterocyclic compounds, 
allyl ethers, allyl esters, and compounds carrying a group or groups 
corresponding to one or more of these compounds. 
Concrete examples of the acrylic esters include n-butyl acrylate, 
cyclohexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, furfuryl 
acrylate, ethoxyethoxy acrylate, dicyclohexyloxyethyl acrylate, 
nonylphenyloxyethyl acrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, butanediol 
diacrylate, neopentylglycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, 
pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, diacrylate 
of polyoxyethylenated bisphenol A, polyacrylate of hydroxypolyether, 
polyester acrylate, and polyurethane acrylate. 
Concrete examples of the methacrylic esters include methyl methacrylate, 
butyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, butanediol 
dimethacrylate, neopentylglycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane 
trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol 
tetramethacrylate, and dimethacrylate of polyoxyalkylenated bisphenol A. 
The polymerizable compounds can be used singly or in combination of two or 
more compounds. For example, a mixture of two or more polymerizable 
compounds can be employed. Further, compounds formed by bonding a 
polymerizable group such as a vinyl group or a vinylidene group to a 
reducing agent or a color image forming substance are also employed as the 
polymerizable compounds. The light-sensitive materials employing these 
compounds which show functions as both the reducing agent and the 
polymerizable compound, or of the color image forming substance and the 
polymerizable compound are included in embodiments of the invention. 
The amount of the polymerizable compound for incorporation into the 
light-sensitive layer preferably ranges from 5 to 1.2.times.10.sup.5 times 
(by weight) as much as the amount of silver halide, more preferably from 
10 to 1.times.10.sup.4 times as much as the silver halide. 
The polymerizable compound is contained in microcapsules which are 
dispersed in the light-sensitive layer. There is no specific limitation on 
the microcapsules, and various known manners can be employed. The silver 
halide, the reducing agent and the other optional components can be 
contained in the microcapsules or arranged outside of the microcapsules in 
the light-sensitive layer. The silver halide is preferably contained in 
the microcapsules. Generally, the reducing agent is also preferably 
contained in the microcapsules, because the reaction can progress smoothly 
in such case. The reducing agent is more preferably dispersed or dissolved 
in the core material of the microcapsules. In the case that the heat 
development is utilized in the use of the light-sensitive material, there 
is no problem in arranging the reducing agent outside of the microcapsule, 
because the reducing agent can permeate the microcapsule to reach the core 
material. 
There is also no specific limitation on shell material of the microcapsule, 
and various known materials such as polymers which are employed in the 
conventional microcapsules can be employed as the shell material. Examples 
of the shell material include polyamide resin and/or polyester resin, 
polyurea resin and/or polyurethane resin, aminoaldehide resin, gelatin, 
epoxy resin, a complex resin containing polyamide resin and polyurea 
resin, a complex resin containing polyurethane resin and polyester resin. 
The mean size of the microcapsule preferably ranges from 0.5 to 50 .mu.m, 
more preferably 1 to 25 .mu.m, most preferably 3 to 20 .mu.m. In the case 
that silver halide grains are contained in the microcapsule, the mean 
grain size of the silver halide grains preferably is not more than the 5th 
part of the mean size of the microcapsules, more preferably is not more 
than the 10th part. It is observed that when the mean sized of the 
microcapsules is not less than 5 times as much as the mean grain size of 
silver halide grains, even and uiform image can be obtained. 
In the case that silver halide is contained in the microcapsule, the silver 
halide is preferably arranged in the shell material of the microcapsules. 
Further, two or more kinds of the microcapsules differing from each other 
with respect to at least one of the silver halide, the polymerizable 
compound and the color image forming substances can be employed. 
Furthermore, three or more kinds of the microcapsules differing from each 
other with respect to the color image forming substances is preferably 
employed to form a full color image. 
The light-sensitive material can be prepared by arranging a light-sensitive 
layer containing the above-mentioned components on a support. There is no 
limitation with respect to the support. In the case that heat development 
is utilized in the use of the light-sensitive material, material of the 
support preferably is resistant to heat given in the processing stage. 
Examples of the material employable for the preparation of the support 
include glass, paper, fine paper, coat paper, synthetic paper, metals and 
analogues thereof, polyester, acetyl cellulose, cellulose ester, polyvinyl 
acetal, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and paper 
laminated with resin or polymer (e.g., polyethylene). In the case that a 
porous material, such as paper is employed as the support, the porous 
support preferably has such a surface characteristic that a filtered 
maximum waviness of not less than 4 .mu.m is observed in not more than 20 
positions among 100 positions which are determined at random on a filtered 
waviness curve obtained according to JIS-B-0610. 
The light-sensitive layer can further contain optional components such as 
color image forming substances, sensitizing dyes, organic silver salts, 
various kinds of image formation accelerators, thermal polymerization 
inhibitors, thermal polymerization initiators, development stopping 
agents, fluorescent brightening agents, discoloration inhibitors, matting 
agents, antismudging agents, plasticizers, water releasers, binders, photo 
polymerization initiators and solvents of the polymerizable compound. 
There is no specific limitation with respect to other color image forming 
substance, and various kinds of substances can be employed. Thus, examples 
of the color image forming substance include both colored substance (i.e., 
dyes and pigments) and non-colored or almost non-colored substance (i.e., 
color former or dye- or pigment-precursor) which develops to give a color 
under application of external energy (e.g., heating, pressing, light 
irradiation, etc.) or by contact with other components (i.e., developer). 
The light-sensitive material using the color image forming substance is 
described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 61(1986)-73145 
(corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,676 and European Patent Provisional 
Publication No. 0174634A2). 
Examples of the dyes and pigments (i.e., colored substance) employable in 
the invention include commercially available ones, as well as various 
known compounds described in the technical publications, e.g., Yuki Gosei 
Kagaku Kyokai (ed.), Handbook of Dyes (in Japanese, 1970) and Nippon 
Ganryo Gijutsu Kyokai (ed.), New Handbook of Pigments (in Japanese, 1977). 
These dyes and pigments can be used in the form of a solution of 
dispersion. 
Examples of the substances which develop to give a color by certain energy 
includes thermochromic compounds, piezochromic compounds, photochromic 
compounds and leuco compounds derived from triarylmethane dyes, quinone 
dyes, indigoid dyes, azine dyes, etc. These compounds are capable of 
developing a color by heating, application of pressure, light-irradiation 
or air-oxidation. 
Examples of the substances which develop to give a color in contact with 
other components include various compounds capable of developing by a 
color through some reaction between two or more components, such as 
acid-base reaction, oxidation-reduction reaction, coupling reaction, 
chelating reaction, and the like. Examples of such color formation systems 
are described in Hiroyuki Moriga, "Introduction of Chemistry of Speciality 
Paper"(in Japanese, 1975), pp, 29-58 (pressure-sensitive copying paper), 
pp. 87-95 (azo-graphy), pp. 118-120 (heat-sensitive color formation by a 
chemical change) or in MSS. of the seminer promoted by the Society of 
Kinki Chemical Industry, "The Newest Chemistry of Coloring 
Matter--Attractive Application and New Development as a Functional 
Coloring Matter", pp. 26-32 (June, 19, 1980). Examples of the color 
formation systems specifically include a color formation system used in 
pressure-sensitive papers, etc., comprising a color former having a 
partial structure of lactone, lactam, spiropyran, etc., and an acidic 
substance (developer), e.g., acid clay, phenol, etc.; a system utilizing 
azo-coupling reaction between an aromatic a diazonium salt, diazotate or 
diazosulfonate and naphthol, aniline, active methylene, etc.; a system 
utilizing a chelating reaction, such as a reaction between 
hexamethylenetetramine and a ferric ion and gallic acid, or a reaction 
between a phenolphthalein-complexon and an alkaline earth metal ion; a 
system utilizing oxidation-reduction reaction, such as a reaction between 
ferric stearate and pyrogallol, or a reaction between silver behenate and 
4-methoxy-1-naphthol, etc. 
In the case that the color image forming substance comprising two 
components (e.g., color former and a developer), one component and the 
polymerizable compound is contained in the microcapsule, and the other 
component is arranged outside of the microcapsule in the light-sensitive 
layer, a color image can be formed on the light-sensitive layer. 
The color image forming substance in the light-sensitive material is 
preferably used in an amount of from 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, and more 
preferably from 2 to 7 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the 
polymerizable compound. In the case that the developer is used, it is 
preferably used in an amount of from about 0.3 to about 80 parts by weight 
per one part by weight of the color former. 
There is no specific limitation with respect to the sensitizing dyes, and 
known sensitizing dyes used in the conventional art of photography may be 
employed in the light-sensitive material. Examples of the sensitizing dyes 
include methine dyes, cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, complex cyanine 
dyes, complex merocyanine dyes, holopolar cyanine dyes, hemicyanine dyes, 
styryl dyes, and hemioxonol dyes. These sensitizing dyes can be used 
singly or in combination. Combinations of sensitizing dyes are often used 
for the purpose of supersensitization. In addition to the sensitizing 
dyes, a substance which does not per se exhibit spectral sensitization 
effect or does not substantially absorb visible light but shows 
supersensitizing activity can be used. The amount of the sensitizing dye 
to be added generally ranges from about 10.sup.-8 to about 10.sup.-2 mol 
per 1 mole of silver halide. The sensitizing dye is preferably added 
during the stage of the preparation of the silver halide emulsion 
(simultaneously with or after the grain formation). 
When the heat development is employed in the use of the light-sensitive 
material, an organic silver salt is preferably contained in the 
light-sensitive material. It can be assumed that the organic silver salt 
takes part in a redox reaction using a silver halide latent image as a 
catalyst when heated to a temperature of 80.degree. C. or higher. In such 
case, the silver halide and the organic silver salt preferably are located 
in contact with each other or close together. Examples of organic 
compounds employable for forming such organic silver salt include 
aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acids, thiocarbonyl group-containing 
compounds having a mercapto group or an .alpha.-hydrogen atom, imino 
group-containing compounds, and the like. Among them, benzotriazoles are 
most preferable. The organic silver salt is preferably used in an amount 
of from 0.01 to 10 mol., and preferably from 0.01 to 1 mol., per 1 mol. of 
the light-sensitive silver halide. Instead of the organic silver salt, an 
organic compound (e.g., benzotriazole) which can form an organic silver 
salt in combination with an inorganic silver salt can be added to the 
light-sensitive layer to obtain the same effect. 
Various image formation accelerators are employable in the light-sensitive 
material. The image formation accelerators have a function to accelerate 
the oxidation-reduction reaction between a silver halide (and/or an 
organic silver salt) and a reducing agent, a function to accelerate 
emigration of an image forming substance from a light-sensitive layer to 
an image-receiving material or an image-receiving layer, or a similar 
function. The image formation accelerators can be classified into 
inorganic bases, organic bases, base precursors, oils, surface active 
agents, compounds functioning as an antifogging agent and/or a development 
accelerator, hot-melt solvents, antioxidants and the like. These groups, 
however, generally have certain combined functions, i.e., two or more of 
the above-mentioned effects. Thus, the above classification is for the 
sake of convenience, and one compound often has a plurality of functions 
combined. 
Various examples of these image formation accelerators are shown below. 
Preferred examples of the inorganic bases include hydroxides of alkali 
metals or alkaline earth metals; secondary or tertiary phophates, borates, 
carbonates, quinolinates and metaborates of alkali metals or alkaline 
earth metals; a combination of zinc hydroxide or zinc oxide and a 
chelating agent (e.g., sodium picolinate; ammonium hydroxide; hydroxides 
of quaternary alkylammoniums; and hydroxides of other metals. Preferred 
examples of the organic bases include aliphatic amines (e.g., 
trialkylamines, hydroxylamines and aliphatic polyamines); aromatic amines 
(e.g., N-alkyl-substituted aromatic amines, N-hydroxylalkyl-substituted 
aromatic amines and bis[p-(dialkylamino)phenyl]-methanes), heterocyclic 
amines, amidines, cyclic amidines, quanidines, and cyclic quanidines. Of 
these bases, those having a pKa of 7 or more are preferred. 
The base precursors preferably are those capable of releasing bases upon 
reaction by heating, such as salts between bases and organic acids capable 
of decarboxylation by heating, compounds capable of releasing amines 
through intramolecular nucleophilic substitution, Lossen rearrangement, or 
Beckmann rearrangement, and the like; and those capable of releasing bases 
by electrolysis. Preferred examples of the base precursors include 
guanidine trichloroacetate, piperidine trichloroacetate, morpholine 
trichloroacetate, p-toluidine trichloroacetate, 2-picoline 
trichloroacetate, guanidine phenylsulfonylacetate, guanidine 
4-chlorophenylsulfonylacetate, guanidine 
4-metyl-sulfonylphenylsulfonylacetate, and 4-acetylaminomethyl propionate. 
These bases or base precursors are preferably used in an amount of not more 
than 100% by weight, and more preferably from 0.1 to 40% by weight, based 
on the total solid content of the light-sensitive layer. These bases or 
base precursors can be used singly or in combination. 
In the light-sensitive material, the silver halide, the reducing agent and 
the polymerizable compound are preferably contained in a microcapsule and 
the base or base precursor is preferably arranged outside of the 
microcapsule in the light-sensitive layer. Further, the base or base 
precursor can be contained in a different microcapsule from that 
containing the polymerizable compound. The base or base precursor can be 
contained in the microcapsule under condition that the base or base 
precursor is dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous solution of a water 
retention agent, or under condition that the base or base precursor is 
adsorbed on solid particles. Furthermore, the base or base precursor can 
be contained in a layer different from the light-sensitive layer. 
Examples of the oils employable in the invention include high-boiling 
organic solvents which are used as solvents in emulsifying and dispersing 
hydrophobic compounds. 
Examples of the surface active agents employable in the invention include 
pyridinium salts, ammonium salts and phosphonium salts as described in 
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 59(1984)-74547; polyalkylene 
oxides as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 
59(1984)-57231. 
The compounds functioning as an antifogging agent and/or a development 
accelerator are used to give a clear image having a high maximum density 
and a low minimum density (an image having high contrast). Examples of the 
compounds include a 5-or 6-membered nitrogen containing heterocyclic 
compound (e.g. a cyclic amide compound), a thiourea derivative, a 
thioether compound, a polyethylene glycol derivative, a thiol derivative, 
an acetylene compound and a sulfonamide derivative. 
The hot-melt solvents preferably are compounds which may be used as solvent 
of the reducing agent or those which have high dielectric constant and can 
accelerate physical development of silver salts. Examples of the hot-melt 
solvents include polyethylene glycols, derivatives of polyethylene oxides 
(e.g., oleate ester), beeswax, monostearin and high dielectric constant 
compounds having --SO.sub.2 -- and/or --CO-- group described in U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,347,675; polar compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,959; and 
1,10-decanediol, methyl anisate and biphenyl suberate described in 
Research Disclosure 26-28 (December 1976). The light-sensitive material 
employing the hot-melt solvents is described in Japanese Patent 
Application No. 60(1985)-227527. The hot-melt solvent is preferably used 
in an amount of from 0.5 to 50% by weight, and more preferably from 1 to 
20% by weight, based on the total solid content of the light-sensitive 
layer. 
The antioxidants can be used to eliminate the influence of the oxygen which 
has an effect of inhibiting polymerization in the development process. 
Example of the antioxidants is a compound having two or more mercapto 
groups. 
The thermal polymerization initiators employable in the light-sensitive 
material preferably are compounds that are decomposed under heating to 
generate a polymerization initiating species, particularly a radical, and 
those commonly employed as initiators of radical polymerization. The 
thermal polymerization initiators are described in "Addition 
Polymerization and Ring Opening Polymerization", pp. 6-18, edited by the 
Editorial Committee of High Polymer Experimental Study of the High Polymer 
Institute, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan (1983). Examples of the thermal 
polymerization initiators include azo compounds, e.g, 
azobisisobutyronitrile, 1,1'-azobisbutyrate, 
2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile), and azobisdimethylvaleronitrile; 
organic peroxides, e.g., benzoyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, dicumyl 
peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and cumene hydroperoxide; inorganic 
peroxides, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, potassium persulfate, and ammonium 
persulfate; and sodium p-toluenesulfinate. The thermal polymerization 
initiators are preferably used in an amount of from 0.1 to 120% by weight, 
and more preferably from 1 to 10% by weight, based on amount of the 
polymerizable compound. In a system in which the polymerizable compound 
within the area where the latent image has not been formed is polymerized, 
the thermal polymerization initiators are preferably incorporated into the 
light-sensitive layer. The light-sensitive material employing the thermal 
polymerization initiators is described in Japanese Patent Provisional 
Publication No. 61(1986)-260241. 
The development stopping agents employable in the light-sensitive material 
are compounds that neutralize a base or react with a base to reduce the 
base concentration in the layer to thereby stop development, or compounds 
that mutually react with silver or a silver salt to suppress development. 
More specifically, examples of the development stopping agents include 
acid precursors capable of releasing acids upon heating electrophilic 
compounds capable of undergoing substitution reaction with a coexisting 
base upon heating, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, mercapto 
compounds, and the like. Examples of the acid precursors include oxide 
esters described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 
60(1985)-108837 and 60(1985)-192939 and compounds which release acids 
through Lossen rearrangement described in Japanese Patent Provisional 
Publication No. 60(1985)-230133. Examples of the electrophilic compounds 
which induce substitution reaction with bases upon heating are described 
in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 60(1985)-230134. 
The antismudging agents employable in the light-sensitive material 
preferably are particles which are solid at ambient temperatures. Examples 
of the antismudging agents include starch particles described in U.K. 
Patent No. 1,232,347; polymer particles described in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,625,736; microcapsule particles containing no color former described in 
U.K. Patent No. 1,235,991; and cellulose particles, and inorganic 
particles, such as particles of talc, kaolin, bentonite, agalmatolite, 
zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or aluminium oxide described in U.S. Pat. No. 
2,711,375. Such particles preferably have a means size of 3 to 50 .mu.m, 
more preferably 5 to 40 .mu.m. The size of said particle is preferably 
larger than that of the microcapsule. 
Binders employable in the light-sensitive material preferably are 
transparent or semi-transparent hydrophilic binders. Examples of the 
binders include natural substances, such as gelatin, gelatin derivatives, 
cellulose derivatives, starch, and gum arabic; and synthetic polymeric 
substances, such as water-soluble polyvinyl compounds e.g., polyvinyl 
alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and acrylamide polymers. In addition to the 
synthetic polymeric substances, vinyl compounds dispersed in the form of 
latex, which are particularly effective to increase dimensional stability 
of photographic materials, can be also used. These binders can be used 
singly or in combination. The light-sensitive material employing a binder 
is described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 61(1986)-69062 
(corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,676 and European Patent Provisional 
Publication No. 0174634A2). 
A photo polymerization initiator can be contained in the light-sensitive 
layer to polymerize the unpolymerized polymerizable compound after the 
image-formation. 
In the case that the solvent of the polymerizable compound is used, the 
solvent is preferably contained in a microcapsule which is different from 
the microcapsule containing the polymerizable compound. 
Examples and usage of the other optional components which can be contained 
in the light-sensitive layer are also described in the above-mentioned 
publications and applications concerning the light-sensitive material, and 
in Research Disclosure Vol. 170, No. 17029, pp. 9-15 (June 1978). 
Examples of auxiliary layers which are optionally arranged on the 
light-sensitive material include an image-receiving layer, a heating 
layer, an antistatic layer, an anticurl layer, a release layer, a cover 
sheet or a protective layer, a layer containing a base or base precursor 
and a base barrier layer. 
Instead of the use of the image-receiving material, the image-receiving 
layer can be arranged on the lightsensitive material to produce the 
desired image on the image-receiving layer of the light-sensitive 
material. The image-receiving layer of the light-sensitive material can be 
constructed in the same manner as the layer of the image-receiving 
material. 
The light-sensitive material can be prepared, for instance, by the 
following process. 
The light-sensitive material is usually prepared by dissolving, emulsifying 
or dispersing each of the components of the light-sensitive layer in an 
adequate medium to obtain coating solution, and then coating the obtained 
coating solution on a support. 
The coating solution can be prepared by mixing liquid compositions each 
containing a component of the light-sensitive layer. Liquid composition 
containing two or more components may be also used in the preparation of 
the coating solution. Some components of the light-sensitive layer can be 
directly added to the coating solution or the liquid composition. Further, 
a secondary composition can be prepared by emulsifying the oily (or 
aqueous) composition in an aqueous (or oily) medium to obtain the coating 
solution. 
The silver halide is preferably prepared in the form of a silver halide 
emulsion. Various processes for the preparation of the silver halide 
emulsion are known in the conventional technology for the preparation of 
photographic materials. 
The silver halide emulsion can be prepared by the acid process, neutral 
process or ammonia process. In the stage for the preparation, a soluble 
silver salt and a halogen salt can be reacted in accordance with the 
single jet process, double jet process or a combination thereof. A reverse 
mixing method, in which grains are formed in the presence of excess silver 
ions, or a controlled double jet process, in which a pAg value is 
maintained constant, can be also employed. In order to accelerate grain 
growth, the concentation or amounts or the silver salt and halogen salt to 
be added or the rate of their addition can be increased as described in 
Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 55(1980)-142329 and 
55(1980)-158124, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,757, etc. 
The silver halide emulsion may be of a surface latent image type that forms 
a latent image predominantly on the surface of silver halide grains, or of 
an inner latent image type that forms a latent image predominantly in the 
interior of the grains. A direct reversal emulsion comprising an inner 
latent image type emulsion and a nucleating agent may be employed. The 
inner latent image type emulsion suitable for this purpose is described in 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,592,250 and 3,761,276, Japanese Patent Publication No. 
58(1983)-3534 and Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 
57(1982)-136641, etc. The nucleating agent that is preferably used in 
combination with the inner latent image type emulsion is described in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 3,227,552, 4,245,037, 4,255,511, 4,266,013 and 4,276,364, and 
West German Patent Provisional Publication (OLS) No. 2,635,316. 
In the preparation of the silver halide emulsions, hydrophilic colloids are 
advantageously used as protective colloids. Examples of usable hydrophilic 
colloids include proteins, e.g., gelatin, gelatin derivatives, gelatin 
grafted with other polymers, albumin, and casein; cellulose derivatives, 
e.g., hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate, 
etc.; saccharide derivatives, e.g., sodium alginate and starch 
derivatives; and a wide variety of synthetic hydrophilic polymers, such as 
polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol partial acetal, 
poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, 
polyacrylamide, polyvinylimidazole, and polyvinylpyrazole, and copolymers 
comprising monomers constituting these homopolymers. Among them, gelatin 
is most preferred. Examples of employable gelatins include not only 
lime-processed gelatin, but also acid-processed gelatin and 
enzyme-processed gelatin. Hydrolysis products or enzymatic decomposition 
products of gelatin can also be used. 
In the formation of silver halide grains in the silver halide emulsion, 
ammonia, an organic thioether derivative as described in Japanese Patent 
Publication No. 47(1972)-11386 or sulfur-containing compound as described 
in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 53(1978)-144319 can be used 
as a silver halide solvent. Further, in the grain formation or physical 
ripening, a cadmium salt, a zinc salt, a lead salt, a thallium salt, or 
the like can be introduced into the reaction system. Furthermore, for the 
purpose of overcoming high or low intensity reciprocity law failure, a 
water-soluble iridium salt, e.g., iridium (III) or (IV) chloride, or 
ammonium hexachloroiridate, or a water-soluble rhodium salt, e.g., rhodium 
chloride can be used. 
After the grain formation or physical ripening, soluble salts may be 
removed from the resulting emulsion by a known noodle washing method or a 
sedimentation method. The silver halide emulsion may be used in the 
primitive condition, but is usually subjected to chemical sensitization. 
Chemical sensitization can be carried out by the sulfur sensitization, 
reduction sensitization or noble metal sensitization, or a combination 
thereof that are known for emulsions for the preparation of the 
conventional light-sensitive materials. 
When the sensitizing dyes are added to the silver halide emulsion, the 
sensitizing dye is preferably added during the preparation of the 
emulsion. When the organic silver salts are introduced in the 
light-sensitive microcapsule, the emulsion of the organic silver salts can 
be prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of the silver halide 
emulsion. 
In preparation of the light-sensitive material, the polymerizable compounds 
are used as the medium for preparation of the liquid composition 
containing another component of the light-sensitive layer. For example, 
the silver halide, including the silver halide emulsion), the reducing 
agent, or the color image forming substance can be dissolved, emulsified 
or dispersed in the polymerizable compound to prepare the light-sensitive 
material. Especially the color image forming substance is preferably 
incorporated in the polymerizable compound. Further, the necessary 
components for preparation of a microcapsule, such as shell material can 
be incorporated into the polymerizable compound. 
The light-sensitive composition which is the polymerizable compound 
containing the silver halide can be prepared using the silver halide 
emulsion. The light-sensitive composition can be also prepared using 
silver halide powders which can be prepared by lyophilization. These 
light-sensitive composition can be obtained by stirring the polymerizable 
compound and the silver halide using a homogenizer, a blender, a mixer or 
other conventional stirring device. 
Polymers having a principal chain consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon 
chain substituted in part with hydrophilic groups which contain, in their 
terminal groups, --OH or nitrogen having a lone electron-pair are 
preferably introduced into the polymerizable compound prior to the 
preparation of the light-sensitive composition. The polymer has a function 
of dispersing silver halide or other component in the polymerizable 
compound very uniformly as well as a function of keeping thus dispered 
state. Further, the polymer has another function of gathering silver 
halide along the interface between the polymerizable compound (i.e., 
light-sensitive composition) and the aqueous medium in preparation of the 
microcapsule. Therefore, using this polymer, silver halide can be easily 
introduced into the shell material of the microcapsule. 
The light-sensitive composition can be also prepared by dispersing 
microcapsules containing silver halide emulsion as a core structure in the 
polymerizable compound instead of employing the above polymer. 
The polymerizable compound (including the light-sensitive composition) are 
preferably emulsified in an aqueous medium to prepare the coating 
solution. The necessary components for preparation of the microcapsule, 
such as shell material can be incorporated into the emulsion. Further, 
other components such as the reducing agent can be added to the emulsion. 
The emulsion of the polymerizable compound can be processed for forming 
shell of the microcapsule. Examples of the process for the preparation of 
the microcapsules include a process utilizing coacervation of hydrophilic 
wall-forming materials as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,800,457 and 
2,800,458; an interfacial polymerization process as described in U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,287,154, U.K. Patent No. 990,443 and Japanese Patent Publication 
Nos. 38(1963)-19574, 42(1967)-446 and 42(1967)-771; a process utilizing 
precipitation of polymers as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,418,250 and 
3,660,304; a process of using isocyanate-polyol wall materials as 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,669; a process of using isocyanate wall 
materials as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,914;511; a process of using 
urea-formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde-resorcinol wall-forming materials 
as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,001,140, 4,087,376 and 4,089,802; a 
process of using melamine-formaldehyde resins hydroxypropyl cellulose or 
like wall-forming materials as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,455; an in 
situ process utilizing polymerization of monomers as described in U.K. 
Patent No. 867,797 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,140; an electrolytic dispersion 
and cooling process as described in U.K. Patent Nos. 952,807 and 965,074; 
a spray-drying process as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,407 and U.K. 
Patent No. 930,422; and the like. It is preferable, though not limitative, 
that the microcapsule is prepared by emulsifying core materials containing 
the polymerizable compound and forming a polymeric membrane (i.e., shell) 
over the core materials. 
In the above-mentioned process, an aqueous dispersion of the microcapsules 
can be obtained. The coating solution of the light-sensitive material can 
be prepared by mixing the aqueous dispersion of the microcapsules and a 
dispersion in which the white pigment is dispersed in an aqueous solution 
of a hydrophilic binder (e.g., gelatin). The other components can be added 
to the coating solution in a similar manner as the emulsion of the 
polymerizable compound. 
A light-sensitive material of the invention can be prepared by coating and 
drying the above-prepared coating solution on a support in the 
conventional manner. 
The image-forming method employing the light-sensitive material of the 
invention is described below. 
In the use of the light-sensitive material of the invention, a development 
process is conducted simultaneously with or after an imagewise exposure. 
Various exposure means can be employed in the imagewise exposure, and in 
general, the latent image on the silver halide is obtained by imagewise 
exposure to radiation including visible light. The type of light source 
and exposure can be selected depending on the light-sensitive wavelengths 
determined by spectral sensitization or sensitivity of silver halide. 
Original image can be either monochromatic image or color image. 
Development of the light-sensitive material can be conducted simultaneously 
with or after the imagewise exposure. The development can be conducted 
using a developing solution in the same manner as the image forming method 
described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 45(1970)-11149. The image 
forming method described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 
61(1986)-69062 which employs a heat development process has an advantage 
of simple procedures and short processing time because of the dry process. 
Thus, the latter method is preferred as the development process of the 
light-sensitive material. 
Heating in the heat development process can be conducted in various known 
manners. The heating layer which is arranged on the light-sensitive 
material can be used as the heating means in the same manner as the 
light-sensitive material described in Japanese Patent Provisional 
Publication No. 61(1986)-294434. Further, the light-sensitive material can 
be heated while suppressing supply of oxygen into the light-sensitive 
layer from outside. Heating temperatures for the development process 
usually ranges from 80.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., and preferably from 
100.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. Various heating patterns are applicable. 
The heating time is usually not shorter than 1 second, preferably from 1 
second to 5 minutes, and more preferably from 1 second to 1 minute. 
During the above development process, a polymerizable compound within the 
area where a latent image of the silver halide has been formed or within 
the area where a latent image of the silver halide has not been formed is 
polymerized. In a general system, the polymerizable compound within the 
area where the latent image has been formed is polymerized. If a nature or 
amount of the reducing agent is controlled, the polymerizable compound 
within the area where the latent image has not been formed can be 
polymerized. 
A color image can be formed on the light-sensitive material in which the 
light-sensitive layer contains a color former and a developer, one of them 
is together with the polymerizable compound contained in a microcapsule, 
and the other is arranged outside of the microcapsule. 
The image is preferably formed on the image-receiving material. The 
image-receiving material is described hereinbelow. The image forming 
method employing the image-receiving material or the image-receiving layer 
is described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 
61(1986)-278849. 
Examples of the material employable as the support of the image-receiving 
material include baryta paper in addition to various examples which can be 
employed as the support of the light-sensitive material. In the case that 
a porous material, such as paper is employed as the support of the 
image-receiving material, the porous support preferably has such a surface 
characteristic that a filtered maximum waviness of not less than 4 .mu.m 
is observed in not more than 20 positions among 100 positions which are 
determined at random on a filtered waviness curve obtained according to 
JIS-B-0610. Further, a transparent material can be employed as the support 
of the image-receiving material to obtain a transparent or a projected 
image. 
The image-receiving material is usually prepared by providing the 
image-receiving layer on the support. The image-receiving layer can be 
constructed according to the color formation system. In the cases that a 
polymer image is formed on the image-receiving material and that a dye or 
pigment is employed as the color image forming substance, the 
image-receiving material be composed of a simple support. 
For example, when a color formation system using a color former and 
developer is employed, the developer can be contained in the 
image-receiving layer. Further, the image-receiving layer can be composed 
of at least one layer containing a mordant. The mordant can be selected 
from the compounds known in the art of the conventional photography 
according to the kind of the color image forming substance. If desired, 
the image-receiving layer can be composed of two or more layers containing 
two or more mordants different in the mordanting power from each other. 
The image-receiving layer preferably contains a polymer as binder. The 
binder which may be employed in the above-mentioned light-receiving layer 
is also employable in the image-receiving layer. Further, a polymer having 
a transmission coefficient of oxygen of not more than 1.0.times.10.sup.-11 
cm.sup.3 .multidot.cm/cm.sup.2 .multidot.sec.multidot.cmHg can be used as 
the binder to protect the color of the image formed on the image-receiving 
material. 
The image-receiving layer can contain a granulated thermoplastic compound 
to obtain a glossy image. Further, the image-receiving layer can contain a 
white pigment such as titanium dioxide to function as a white reflection 
layer. Furthermore, a photo polymerization initiators or a thermal 
polymerization initiators can be contained in the image-receiving layer to 
polymerize the unpolymerizable polymerizable compound. 
The thickness of the image-receiving layer preferably ranges from 1 to 100 
.mu.m. 
A protective layer can be provided on the surface of the image-receiving 
layer. 
After the development process of pressing the light-sensitive material in 
contact with the image-receiving material to transfer the polymerizable 
compounds which is still polymerizable to the image-receiving material, a 
polymer image can be obtained in the image-receiving material. The process 
for pressing can be carried out by various known manners. 
In the case that the light-sensitive layer contains a color image forming 
substance, the color image forming substance is fixed by polymerization of 
the polymerizable compound. Then, pressing the light-sensitive material in 
contact with the image-receiving material to transfer the color image 
forming substance in unfixed portion, a color image can be produced on the 
image-receiving material. 
After the image was obtained, the image-receiving material can be heated. 
In the above-mentioned method, an improved image can be obtained by 
polymerizing the unpolymerizable polymerized compound which has been 
transferred on the image-receiving material. 
The light-sensitive material can be used for monochromatic or color 
photography, printing, radiography, diagnosis (e.g., CRT photography of 
diagnostic device using supersonic wave), copy (e.g., computer-graphic 
hard copy), etc. 
The present invention is further described by the following examples 
without limiting the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 
Preparation of Silver Halide Emulsion 
In 1,200 ml of water were dissolved 14 g of gelatin and 0.5 g of sodium 
chloride, and the resulting gelatin solution was kept at 70.degree. C. To 
the gelatin solution, 300 ml of an aqueous solution containing 70 g of 
potassium bromide and 300 ml of an aqueous solution containing 0.59 mole 
of silver nitrate were added simultaneously at the same feed rate over a 
period of 30 minutes. After 5 minutes, to the mixture, 50 ml of aqueous 
solution containing 4.0 g of potassium iodide and 50 ml of an aqueous 
solution containing 0.024 mole of silver nitrate were added simultaneously 
at the same feed rate over a period of 5 minutes. Thus, a silver 
iodobromide emulsion having tetradecahedral grains, uniform grain size 
distribution and a mean grain size of 0.19 .mu.m was obtained. 
The emulsion was washed for desalting, and to the emulsion was added 62 ml 
of 1% methanol solution of the following sensitizing dye to obtain a 
silver halide emulsion. The yield of the emulsion was 600 g. 
##STR1## 
Preparation of Silver Benzotriazole Emulsion 
In 3,000 ml of water were dissolved 30 g of gelatin and 17 g of 
benzotriazole, and the solution was kept at 40.degree. C. while stirring. 
To the solution was added 100 ml of an aqueous solution of 17 g of silver 
nitrate over 2 minutes. Excessive salts were sedimented and removed from 
the resulting emulsion by pH-adjustment. Thereafter, the emulsion was 
adjusted to pH 6.30 to obtain a silver benzotriazole emulsion. The yield 
of the emulsion was 400 g. 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Composition 
In 100 g of trimethylolpropane triacrylate were dissolved 0.2 g of the 
following copolymer, 11 g of following color image forming substance and 
0.3 g of Emulex NP-8 (tradename of Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.). 
##STR2## 
To 18 g of the resulting solution was added a solution in which 0.3 g of 
the following reducing agent (I) and 0.8 g of the following reducing agent 
(II) were dissolved in 1.8 g of methylene chloride. 
##STR3## 
Further, to the resulting solution were added 1 g of the silver halide 
emulsion and 0.3 g of the silver benzotriazole emulsion, and the mixture 
was stirred at 15,000 r.p.m. for 5 minutes to obtain a light-sensitive 
composition. 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Microcapsule 
To 9.0 g of 20% aqueous solution of Isobam (tradename of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) 
was added 50 g of 2.5% aqueous solution of pectin. After the solution was 
adjusted to a pH of 4.0 using 10% sulfuric acid, the light-sensitive 
composition was added to the resulting solution, and the mixture was 
stirred at 7,000 r.p.m. for 2 minutes to emulsify the light-sensitive 
composition in the aqueous medium. 
To 70 g of the aqueous emulsion were added 8.0 g of 40% aqueous solution of 
urea, 3.0 g of 10% aqueous solution of resorcinol, 8.0 g of 37% aqueous 
solution of formaldehyde, and 3.0 g of 8% aqueous solution of ammonium 
sulfate in order, and the mixture was heated at 60.degree. C. for 2 hours 
while stirring. After the mixture was adjusted to a pH of 7.0 using 10% 
aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, to the mixture was added 4.0 g of 
30% aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen sulfite to obtain a dispersion 
containing light-sensitive microcapsules. 
Preparation of Dispersion of Titanium Dioxide 
To 70 g of 5% aqueous solution of gelatin was added 30 g of rutile type 
titanium dioxide powder having an average diameter of 0.2 mml (R 780; 
tradename of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.). The mixture was dispersed in 
Dynomile dispersing device for 151 minutes to obtain 100 g of 30% 
dispersion of titanium dioxide. 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
To 10 g of the light-sensitive microcapsule dispersion were added 0.2 g of 
the dispersion of titanium dioxide, 1.0 g of 1% aqueous solution of the 
following anionic surfactant and 2 g of 10% aqueous solution of sodium 
hydrogencarbonate to prepare a coating solution. The coating solution was 
coated on the polyetylene terephthalate film (thickness: 60 .mu.m) to give 
a layer having a thickness of 50 g/m.sup.2 and dried at room temperature to 
obtain a light-sensitive material (I). 
##STR4## 
COMISON EXAMPLE 1 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
The light-sensitive material (I-a) was prepared in the same manner as in 
Example 1, except that the dispersion of titanium dioxide was not used. 
EXAMPLE 2 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
The light-sensitive material (II) was prepared in the same manner as in 
Example 1, except that the amount of the dispersion of titanium dioxide 
was changed from 0.2 g to 0.6 g. 
EXAMPLE 3 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
The light-sensitive material (III) was prepared in the same manner as in 
Example 1, except that the amount of the dispersion of titanium dioxide 
was changed from 0.2 g to 2.0 g. 
EXAMPLE 4 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
The light-sensitive material (IV) was prepared in the same manner as in 
Example 1, except that the amount of the dispersion of titanium dioxide 
was changed from 0.2 g to 6.0 g. 
EXAMPLE 5 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
The light-sensitive material (V) was prepared in the same manner as in 
Example 1, except that a cast-coated paper (produced by Sanyo Pump Co., 
Ltd.) was used as the support in place of the the polyethylene 
terephthalate film. 
COMISON EXAMPLE 2 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
The light-sensitive material (V-a) was prepared in the same manner as in 
Example 5, except that the dispersion of titanium dioxide was not used. 
EXAMPLE 6 
Preparation of Light-Sensitive Material 
The light-sensitive material (VI) was prepared in the same manner as in 
Example 1, except that the amount of the dispersion of titanium dioxide 
was changed from 0.2 g to 6.0 g. 
Preparation of Image-Receiving Material 
To 125 g of water was added 11 g of 40% aqueous solution of sodium 
hexametaphosphate, and were further added 34 g of zinc 
3,5-di-.alpha.-methylbenzylsalicylate and 82 g of 55% slurry of calcium 
carbonate, followed by coarsely dispersing in a mixer. The coarse 
dispersion was then finely dispersed in Dynomile dispersing device. To 200 
g of the resulting dispersion were added 6 g of 50 % latex of SBR 
(styrene-butadiene rubber) and 55 g of 8% aqueous solution of polyvinyl 
alcohol, and the resulting mixture was made uniform. 
The mixture was then uniformly coated on an art paper having a basis weight 
of 43 g/m.sup.2 to give a layer having a wet thickness of 30 .mu.m and 
dried to obtain an image-receiving material. 
Evaluation of Light-Sensitive Material 
Each of the light-sensitive materials prepared in Examples 1 to 6 and 
Comparison Examples 1 and 2 was imagewise exposed to light through a test 
chart using a tungsten lamp at various quantity of light and then heated 
on a hot plate at 125.degree. C. for 18 seconds. Each of the exposed and 
heated light-sensitive materials was then combined with the 
image-receiving material and passed through press rolls to obtain a 
magenta positive image on the image receiving material. 
The sharpness of the obtained image was evaluated as MT (Modulation 
Transfer) value at 10 cycles/mm (spatial frequency) according to the 
description in T. James, "The Theory of the Photographic Process", 4th 
edition, pp. 602 (1977). 
The results are set forth in Table 1. In Table 1, "Content of Titanium 
Dioxide"is based on the total solid content of the light-sensitive layer. 
The sharpness of the obtained image increases with the MT value. 
TABLE 1 
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Content of 
Light- Titanium MT value 
Sensitive Dioxide at 10 
Material (wt %) cycles/mm 
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Example 1 (I) 2% 0.29 
Comp. (I-a) -- 0.16 
Ex. 1 
Example 2 (II) 6% 0.41 
Example 3 (III) 20% 0.56 
Example 4 (IV) 40% 0.62 
Example 5 (V) 2% 0.38 
Comp. (V-a) -- 0.32 
Ex. 2 
Example 6 (VI) 40% 0.63 
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It is apparent from the result in Table 1, light-sensitive materials 
containing a white pigment (titanium dioxide) gave a clear positive image 
improved in sharpness. It is also apparent that the sharpness of the 
obtained image is remarkably improved in the use of light-sensitive 
materials using a polyethylene terephthalate film as the support.