Abstract: A spectrally-sensitized emulsion has been described, wherein said emulsion comprises {111} tabular silver halide grains having an average aspect ratio of at least 2 with two flat parallel {111} crystal faces accounting for a total projective surface of said parallel crystal faces in said emulsion of at least 50%, characterized in that a site-directing compound is present at said faces, satisfying the general formula I as described herein is present.

Abstract: A photosensitive image-forming element has been provided, comprising on a support at least one photosensitive layer containing silver halide crystals which are internally doped with a transition metal complex (more preferably a metal halide chalcogenic cyanate complex, further called a `MHCC`-complex) forming a deep and permanent electron trap, wherein said transition metal complex satisfies the general formula (1) as disclosed in the claims and in the description.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an emulsion having grains rich in silver bromide in the presence of gelatin as a protective colloid in a reaction vessel wherein a yield of more than 250 g of precipitated silver nitrate per liter of reaction vessel mixture is attained, wherein at least 70% of a total projected area of all grains is provided by {111} tabular grains having an average aspect ratio of more than 2:1 and an average thickness of from 0.05 up to 0.30 .mu.

Abstract: A method has been described of preparing a photosensitive emulsion comprising tabular silver halide grains rich in silver bromide, having {100} major faces and an aspect ratio more than 1.5, wherein at least 50% of the projected area of all grains is provided by said {100} tabular grains, said method comprising the step of running in a reaction vessel an aqueous silver salt solution and an aqueous alkali halide solution rich in alkali bromide, characterized in that before starting running said reaction vessel comprises in an aqueous solution of gelatin an amount of amino-modified polyvinyl alcohol as an aqueous soluble polymer.

Abstract: A photographic silver halide material and a method using said material for mammography are disclosed. The photographic material has a large dynamic range and a high contrast, so that lesions deep in the glandular tissue are accurately detected, and also clearly depicts thin tissue such as the skin line of the breast. The sensitometric curve of optical density versus logarithmic exposure logE of said photographic material is characterised by (i) an average gradation of at least 3.5 between Dmin+1.0 and Dmin+2.5; and (ii) a local gradient ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 and an optical density not higher than 3.5 at the point where logE equals SP+0.8 (SP being defined as the logE at which the optical density equals Dmin+1.0); and (iii) an optical density of at least 3.7 at the point where logE equals SP+1.3.

Abstract: A photosensitive element which comprises a support, at least one silver halide emulsion layer and at least a non-light sensitive hydrophilic colloidal layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer comprises a selenium compound represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: Q represents R.sup.1 SO.sub.2 or R.sup.2 R.sup.3 P=X;each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 the same or different represents OR.sup.4, NR.sup.5 R.sup.6, SR.sup.7, SeR.sup.8 an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group;X represents O, S or Se;each of R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 the same or different represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 together represents the atoms necessary to form a N-containing ring.The invention also provides a method for the preparation of a photosensitive element as disclosed hereinbefore comprising the step of chemically sensitizing at least one of the silver halide emulsions by means of a selenium compound as defined.