Abstract: The present invention provides a fixer composition and a method of processing an exposed photographic silver halide element comprising the steps of developing by means of a developer comprising a silver halide developing agent and treating the developed element with a fixer composition, wherein the fixer composition comprises a silver halide solvent, a sulfite ion source, an aluminum salt hardening agent, a buffering agent, a sequestering agent and an .alpha.-ketocarboxylic acid compound in an amount of more than 2 grams per liter corresponding to the formula:R--CO--COOHwherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group.

Abstract: A method of chemical sensitisation which comprises providing a silver halide emulsion containing negative-acting silver halide grains, and adding to said silver halide emulsion a sulphur releasing organic polymer having multiple sulphur releasing groups per polymer molecule. The polymer preferably has at least 10 sulphur releasing groups per molecule which may be selected from thiocarbonate, dithiocarbonate, trithiocarbonate, dithioester, thioamide, thiocarbamate, dithiocarbamate, thiouram, thiourea, dithiooxamide, thioketone and trisulphide.

Abstract: Peroxycarboxylic ester photoinitiators derived from aromatic nitrogen containing heterocyclic carboxylic acids are described. The heterocyclic aromatic ring may contain additional nitrogen atoms, be fused with another aromatic ring system, be substituted with an additional peroxycarboxylic ester group and/or be substituted with an electron group having a Hammett sigma value greater than 0.1. The peroxycarboxylic ester photoinitiators have been found to be useful in photopolymerizable compositions and photosensitive elements.

Abstract: Polymeric dyes that comprise (a) segments that render the dyes soluble or dispersible in hydrocarbon solvents and (b) segments that impart color. The polymeric dyes can be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents or formed in hydrocarbon solvents to form stable colored dispersions, which can be used as toners for electrophotography. In these toners, the polymeric dye contains macromeric moieties that render the polymeric dye dispersible in hydrocarbon solvents. The polymeric dye may contain either a charge-directing chelating moiety or a surface-release promoting moiety or both of these moieties.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine pigment dispersion using a dispersing polymer having pendant quaternary ammonium salt groups to form a highly dispersed and stable millbase is described. The pigment dispersion is compatible with poly(vinylbutyral) resins and stable in ketone solvents. The pigment dispersion is particularly useful as a charge-generating or charge-transport material in an organic photoconductor construction.

Abstract: A visual calibrator for a digital color imaging proof system includes a series of patches on a carrier layer, the patches composed of combinations of at least two colors in halftone or continuous print, and associated with at least some of the patches are alphanumeric markings which relate to specific changes in an imaging signal for adjustment of the imaging system to modify the color of a proof towards a desired target color.

Abstract: A photosensitive polymer-containing system containing: (a) an energy sensitive polymer having a linear hydrocarbyl backbone and pendant peptide groups with free-radically polymerizable functionality attached thereto; (b) a vinyl-halomethyl-s-triazine capable of free-radical generation upon excitation with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from about 330 to 500 nm; (c) an organic acid having a pKa of from about 1.8 to 5.5; (d) a leuco dye; and (e) a binder. A colorant may optionally be added. The photosensitive systems exhibit an increased shelf-life and excellent photosensitivity.

Abstract: A process is described for providing a conductive metal circuit using a coherent radiation source. The circuit pattern is directly written onto a laser addressable element having a supercooling material layer. A conductive metal toner is then applied to the light struck areas and fired in a furnace to provide a conductive metal circuit.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine pigment dispersion using a dispersing polymer having pendant quaternary ammonium salt groups to form a highly dispersed and stable millbase is described. The pigment dispersion is compatible with poly(vinylbutyral) resins and stable in ketone solvents. The pigment dispersion is particularly useful as a charge-generating or charge-transport material in an organic photoconductor construction.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive polymeric adducts of (1) a sulfonated polyester resin having a plurality of sulfonate groups, (2) a diazonium resin having a plurality of diazonium groups, and (3) a salt of quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium. This invention also provides a radiation-sensitive article comprising a substrate bearing a coating containing a radiation-sensitive adduct.

Abstract: Peroxycarboxylic ester photoinitiators derived from aromatic nitrogen containing heterocyclic carboxylic acids are described. The heterocyclic aromatic ring may contain additional nitrogen atoms, be fused with another aromatic ring system, be substituted with an additional peroxycarboxylic ester group and/or be substituted with an electron group having a Hammett sigma value greater than 0.1. The peroxycarboxylic ester photoinitiators have been found to be useful in photopolymerizable compositions and photosensitive elements.

Abstract: Polymeric dyes that comprise (a) segments that render the dyes soluble or dispersible in hydrocarbon solvents and (b) segments that impart color. The polymeric dyes can be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents or formed in hydrocarbon solvents to form stable colored dispersions, which can be used as toners for electrophotography. In these toners, the polymeric dye contains macromeric moieties that render the polymeric dye dispersible in hydrocarbon solvents. The polymeric dye may contain either a charge-directing chelating moiety or a surface-release promoting moiety or both of these moieties.

Abstract: A no-process printing plate forming photosensitive article having a protective top coat layer is described. The top coat layer may be a water soluble or dispersible polymer, sol, salt, or mixture thereof. The protective top coat layer may provide the no-process printing plate with protection from contamination during handling, improved suppression of odors during imaging, and improved roll-up performance on press. The hydrophilic protective top coat is removed on press by action of the fountain solution and/or ink.

Abstract: A thermal transfer system for transferring material in an imagewise manner by means of thermal transfer printing from a donor element to an image receiving element is used to prepare printing plates. In one construction, a donor element, which is prepared by coating a photoinitiator (and optionally a sensitizer) in a binder on a backing material, is used with an image receiving element, which is prepared by coating a photopolymer (and optionally a sensitizer) on a substrate having a microporous hydrophilic crosslinked silicated surface. In an alternative construction, a donor element, which is prepared by coating a sensitizer in a binder on a backing material, is used with an image receiving element, which is prepared by coating a photopolymer and photoinitiator on a substrate having a microporous hydrophilic crosslinked silicated surface.