Abstract: A mask blank has a plurality of pattern formation regions in which mask circuit patterns are to be formed, and a supporting region in which any mask circuit pattern is not to be formed. The supporting region is provided for holding the plurality of pattern formation regions while separating the plurality of pattern formation regions from each other. The supporting region has first and second alignment marks. Exposure of a mask made from the mask blank for forming mask circuit patterns thereon is performed on the basis of the first alignment marks, and exposure of a substrate for forming circuit patterns thereon is performed on the basis of the second alignment marks. With this configuration, a mask used for charged particle beam reduction-and-division transfer exposure can be highly accurately produced at a low cost, and exposure of a substrate can be highly accurately performed by using the mask.

Abstract: An aqueous, homogeneous, single-part color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form and an organic antioxidant. The concentrate also includes a water-miscible or water-soluble organic co-solvent and a quaternary ammonium salt to enhance its stability. The concentrate can be used to make a working strength processing solution, or it can be used as a replenishing composition with proper dilution, and is particularly useful for processing color negative or color reversal photographic silver halide films.

Abstract: A one-part photographic developing concentrate comprising: (i) a paraphenylene diamine color developing agent; and (ii) a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein a molar ratio of sodium ion to potassium ion is at least 3, and a molar ratio of sulfate ion to carbonate ion is at least 0.25.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a color developing solution of a silver halide color photographic photosensitive material that can be applied to a variety of photosensitive materials, can improve the workability and can obtain an improved image quality. The above objective can be achieved by using a color developing solution that includes a first processing solution containing a color developing agent having pH larger than 7, and a second processing solution containing an alkali agent, the compound having the pKa in a range of equal to or greater than 9 and equal to or less than 12 in a compound at least one kind of compounds shown in any one of the following general formulae (I), (II) and (III) having pKa equal to 9 or more and equal to 12 or less, and has the pH smaller than 13.5.

Abstract: Rapid development of silver bromoiodide color negative photographic films and formation of high quality negative images suitable for scanning to produce display images of excellent quality is made possible by a novel developer solution composition and method of development. The solution is characterized by containing, in addition to the color developer compound and conventional photographic developer solution components, a water soluble pyrrolidone polymer, a high concentration of sulfite ion and a low concentration, or the absence of, bromide ion. In the novel method the developer composition contacts the exposed film at elevated temperature, e.g., 40 to 66° C., for a short development time, e.g., 20 to 90 seconds. The developed image has image quality suitable for scanning and digital manipulation to produce a digital record for forming a color display image of high quality.

Abstract: A process for purifying p-phenylenediamine color developers in their free-base form. The process includes subjecting a solution containing p-phenylenediamine-type free base color developer to short path distillation which includes at least one of falling film evaporator, thin film evaporator, wiped film evaporator, or short-path evaporator.

Abstract: Photographic developer replenisher concentrates comprising more reactive developers, like 4(N-ethyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)-2 -methylphenylenediamine (CD-4) undergo rapid oxidation, and consequently, have shorten shelf-life stabilities. Hydroxylamine type derivatives, while disclosed as being useful as a class of antioxidants for stabilizing photographic developer replenishers, most were found to impart either inadequate shelf-life stability for CD-4 developer, or interfered with “satisfactory developer performance.” Surprisingly, it was discovered the shelf-life stability of replenisher concentrates comprising CD-4 photographic developer could be extended for periods of 2 years or longer, and also provide satisfactory developer performance when the hydroxylamine antioxidant comprises at least N,N-bis(2 -sulfoethyl) hydroxylamine (SEHA) or a salt thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous developer for imageable elements that contain a radiation-sensitive initiator system and at least one free radical polymerizable material is disclosed. The developer develops these plates quickly, with high throughput, but with no sludge formation in the developing process. The developer contains water, a buffer, and one or more filter dyes and/or one of more free radical inhibitors. The imageable elements are useful as printing plates.

Abstract: Silver bromoiodide color negative films can be rapidly color developed using stabilized color developer solutions kept at high temperatures with minimal changes in the resulting color record densities. The compositions are stabilized by adjusting or maintaining the pH to 9 or more, but below 10.

Abstract: Concentrated aqueous photographic color developing compositions include a photographic color developing agent in free base form and a compound represented by Structure I 1

Abstract: A two-part color photographic developer concentrate in which part 1 contains at least one antioxidant selected from the group consisting of diethylhydroxylamine and diethylhydroxylamine disulfo acid, at least one auxiliary solvent, at least one optical brightener and at least one color developer substance and part 2 contains at least one buffer substance, alkali and at least one water softener, may be produced by part 1 additionally containing 0.001 to 1 mol of hydroxylamine or a monoalkylated hydroxylamine or the salts thereof per liter of concentrate concentrate and at least 20% by weight of the total of part 1 being water.

Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.

Abstract: A homogeneous color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. This concentrate is prepared in a unique manner, namely by combining the noted components and removing the sulfate anions commonly present in color developing agents by precipitation with alkali metal ions. The concentrate can be used to prepare photographic processing concentrates and working strength solutions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for making a lithographic printing plate, which comprises subjecting a lithographic printing material having physical development nuclei between an anodized aluminum support and a silver halide emulsion layer to exposure and then processing the lithographic printing material at least with a developing solution, wherein the developing solution contains an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A homogeneous, ready to use, single-part color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, a buffering agent, and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent present in an a concentration such that the weight ratio of water to the organic solvent is from about 15:85 to about 50:50. In addition the concentrate includes a mixture of a specific polyaminopolyphosphonic acid and either a hydroxyalkylidenediphosphonic acid or morpholinomethanediphosphonic acid (or salt thereof) for stability in the presence of calcium ions. This concentrate is prepared by mixing the components in a unique order for improved safety and manufacturability. It can be used to make a working strength processing solution, or it can be used as a replenishing composition with proper dilution to provide color images in photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A multi-part color developing kit includes at least two parts (or solutions) of photochemical compositions that can be mixed to provide a color developing composition useful for obtaining color photographic images. A first aqueous solution is formulated with a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, an inorganic base, a triazinylstilbene optical brightening agent, an chemical base and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent. A second aqueous solution is formulated with a buffering agent, the same or different chemical base and a phosphonic acid metal ion sequestering agent. Both solutions have a pH and homogeneity to provide a clear color developing composition that is safer for use and disposal.

Abstract: An aqueous, homogeneous, single-part, chloride ion-free color developing concentrate comprises a color developing agent in free base form, an antioxidant for the color developing agent, a buffering agent, and a water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-substituted, straight-chain organic solvent present in an a concentration such that the weight ratio of water to the organic solvent is from about 15:85 to about 50:50. Upon dilution at least four times, this composition can be used to provide a color developing composition for processing photographic color papers. The same concentrate can also be diluted to provide a replenisher for the color developing composition that is used at a replenishment rate of from about 50 to about 150 ml/m.sup.2 of processed color paper.

Abstract: Black-and-white elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed rapidly using a black-and-white developing composition containing a hydroquinone developing agent, and specific amounts of sulfite and borate ions. Thus, the molar ratio of sulfite ions to borate ions is less than 20:1, and the molar ratio of sulfite ions to the hydroquinone developing agent is from about 1:1 to about 2.5:1. The developing composition is effective, rapid and stable.

Abstract: A black-and-white developing composition includes as ascorbic acid developing agent, an auxiliary super-additive developing agent, borate buffer and a preservative. The composition pH is from 7 but less than 9. The composition can be formulated from two separately packaged parts that may be in dry or liquid form. The borate buffer is present to maintain the desired pH, and the two developing agents are present in desired molar ratios for optimal developing activity. Improved photographic properties are obtained while avoiding the use of environmentally unfriendly dihydroxybenzenes.

Abstract: A development processing method is described, which includes the steps of (a) exposing an ultrahigh-contrast silver halide photographic material comprising a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and (b) developing the exposed silver halide photographic material with a developer while the developer is replenished with a development replenisher, wherein the developer and the development replenisher each contains a dihydroxybenzene developing agent and an auxiliary developing agent exhibiting a superadditive property to the dihydroxybenzene developing agent, and both the developer and the development replenisher have such a property that an increase of the pH is 0.25 or less when 0.1 mol of sodium hydroxide is added to 1 liter thereof; the developer has a pH from 9.5 up to but excluding 11.0; and the developer replenisher is added in an amount of 225 ml/m.sup.2 or less.

Abstract: A black-and-white developing composition includes as ascorbic acid developing agent, an auxiliary super-additive developing agent, borate buffer and a preservative. The composition pH is from 7 but less than 9. The composition can be formulated from two separately packaged parts that may be in dry or liquid form. The borate buffer is present to maintain the desired pH, and the two developing agents are present in desired molar ratios for optimal developing activity. Improved photographic properties are obtained while avoiding the use of environmentally unfriendly dihydroxybenzenes.

Abstract: A photographic silver halide element, such as a radiographic film, can be developed using a black-and-white developing solution containing an ascorbic acid developing agent. This solution is replenished with a replenisher solution of basically the same components but the amounts may be greater. Moreover, the replenisher solution pH is from 0.1 and up to 0.3 pH units higher than that of the developing solution. Both developing and replenisher solutions are free of hydroquinone. Replenishment can be carried out at relatively low rates with less impact on the environment without sacrificing sensitometric performance.

Abstract: An aqueous redox amplifier solution having a pH in the range 10.0 to 13.5 comprises:a color developing agent and/or auxiliary developing agent, hydrogen peroxide or a compound that provides hydrogen peroxide in a concentration equivalent to 0.1 to 50.0 ml/l of 30% w/w solution, anda borate or other complexing compound capable of reversibly forming a complex with hydrogen peroxide, the complexing compound being in a concentration of from 1.0 to 100.0 g/l, andwherein the relative amounts of complexing compound and hydrogen peroxide are such as to provide an amount of hydrogen peroxide effective for redox amplification and buffer the hydrogen peroxide and thereby reduce the decline in the rate of redox amplification. This solution is useful for processing color photographic elements.

Abstract: A redox-amplification solution comprising hydrogen peroxide, or a substance capable of releasing hydrogen peroxide, or reducing agent, such as a color developing agent, and in combination three or more sequestering agents for complexing with a transition metal ion to inhibit catalysis of impurities emanating from a photographic film coating and enhance the stability of the solution; a method of photographic color processing including a step using the redox-amplification solution and its use therefor.

Abstract: A black-and-white developing composition includes as ascorbic acid developing agent, an auxiliary super-additive developing agent, borate buffer and a preservative. The composition pH is from 7 but less than 9. The composition can be formulated from two separately packaged parts that may be in dry or liquid form. The borate buffer is present to maintain the desired pH, and the two developing agents are present in desired molar ratios for optimal developing activity. Improved photographic properties are obtained while avoiding the use of environmentally unfriendly dihydroxybenzenes.

Abstract: An aqueous redox amplifier solution having a pH in the range 10.0 to 13.5 comprises:a color developing agent and/or auxiliary developing agent,hydrogen peroxide or a compound that provides hydrogen peroxide in a concentration equivalent to 0.1 to 50.0 ml/l of 30% w/w solution, anda borate or other complexing compound capable of reversibly forming a complex with hydrogen peroxide, the complexing compound being in a concentration of from 1.0 to 100.0 g/l, andwherein the relative amounts of complexing compound and hydrogen peroxide are such as to provide an amount of hydrogen peroxide effective for redox amplification and buffer the hydrogen peroxide and thereby reduce the decline in the rate of redox amplification. This solution is useful for processing color photographic elements.

Abstract: A processing method for a silver halide photographic material is described, which comprises developing an exposed silver halide photographic material with a developing solution comprising:(a) an ascorbic acid developing agent,(b) an auxiliary developing agent exhibiting superadditivity,(c) an alkali agent necessary to maintain the pH from 9.2 to 9.8, and(d) a carbonate in a concentration from 0.30 mol/liter to 0.60 mol/liter.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for forming a high contrast photographic image including the steps of imagaewise exposing a silver halide photographic element containing a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent, wherein the element is free of incorporated amine boosters. The exposed element is developed with a chemically stable aqueous alkaline developing solution that is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and has a pH between 9.5 and 11. The developing solution comprises an ascorbic acid developing agent; an auxiliary developing agent; and a combination of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal borate comprising between 0.125 and 0.5 molar concentration of the carbonate and between 0.04 and 0.35 molar concentration of the borate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition, free of dihydroxybenzene developing agent, comprising a reductic acid developing agent and an auxiliary superadditive developing agent, wherein the reductic acid developing agent is represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and group CH.sub.2 R.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is hydrogen or a monovalent group, e.g. amino, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl.A process for forming a black-and-white photographic silver image comprising developing a silver halide photographic element with said black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition is also described.

Abstract: A process for forming a black-and-white high contrast negative photographic silver image by development of a silver halide photographic element with an aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition comprising a dihydroxybenzene developing agent, an auxiliary superadditive developing agent, an antifogging agent, an antioxidant compound, a combination of buffering agents and a sequestering agent, characterized by the fact that: a) the auxiliary developing agent is an aminophenol compound, b) the combination of buffering agents comprises at least a first buffering agent represented by carbonate compounds and at least a second buffering agent represented by phosphate compounds, the total amount of said first buffering agent and said second buffering agent being at least 35 grams per liter, band c) the pH of said aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition is in the range 9.0 to 11.0.

Abstract: Photographic developing compositions are provided that are free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and are used in the processing of photographic elements. The developing compositions have a pH in the range of from 10.1 to 10.9 and comprise at least 0.17 moles per liter of an ascorbic acid developing agent, 0.3 to 0.5 moles per liter of a sulfite and 0.2 to 0.4 moles per liter of a carbonate buffer. Also provided is an ecologically advantageous method for processing photographic elements which utilizes the non-toxic developing compositions.

Abstract: There is described a concentrated photographic silver halide developing solution which comprises from 50 to 150 g/liter of an ascorbic acid type compound of the general formula I: ##STR1## or alkali metal salts thereof, in which the group R represents a hydroxylated alkyl group, and at least one basic compound the anion of which is carbonate, sulphite or hydroxide of which the cation is an alkali metal, especially sodium or potassium, the total sodium to total potassium ion ratio in the concentrated developing solution being from about 50:50 to 0:100 (mole: mole).Preferably the concentrated solution is entirely aqueous but it may comprise a proportion of water-miscible organic solvents such as ethyl alcohol, or glycol solvents.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline processing liquid for use in silver halide photography, wherein said liquid comprises one or more alkanolamines, the said alkanolamines consisting of one or more tertiary alkanolamines in a total amount in the range from 0.3 mol/l to 1.5 mol/l, and one or more secondary alkanolamines in an amount from 0 mol % to 30 mol % with respect to the amount of tertiary alkanolamine(s), and said liquid also contains sulphite ions in an amount in the range of 16 g/l to 30 g/l.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of processing an image-wise exposed silver halide photographic material wherein said method comprises the following steps:(a) developing the photographic material for 5 to 15 seconds in an aqueous developing solution,(b) fixing the photographic material for 5 to 15 seconds in an aqueous fixing solution, and(c) washing the photographic material for 5 to 20 seconds,wherein both said developing and fixing solutions are free of gelatin hardeners.The method is particularly intended for use in processing radiographic films which:comprise a support and silver halide emulsion layer or layers, at least one of said silver halide emulsion layers containing tabular silver halide grains having an average diameter to thickness ratio of at least 3:1 and highly deionized gelatin, andshow a swelling index lower than 140% and a melting time of from 45 to 120 minutes.The method shows the advantages of lower environmental pollution and shorter processing times.

Abstract: An improved photographic developing solution is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents such as hydroquinone, has a pH in the range of from 9.5 to 11.5 and comprises (1) an ascorbic acid developing agent, (2) an auxiliary super-additive developing agent and (3) a carbonate buffering agent in a concentration of at least 0.5 molar. The developing solution is broadly useful in black-and-white development but is most advantageously employed in a process for forming a high-contrast image utilizing a silver halide photographic element comprising a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent and an amino compound which functions as an incorporated booster. The developing solution is ecologically advantageous, exhibits excellent stability with respect to seasoning effects, and provides high speed and good upper scale contrast combined with a low level of pepper fog and a moderate degree of chemical spread.

Abstract: A method for processing an imagewise exposed color photographic material comprising a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer comprising a silver halide emulsion containing at least 90 mol % silver chloride, comprising the steps of: (a) developing in a color developing bath; (b) bleaching in a bath having a bleaching ability and fixing in a bath having a fixing ability or bleach-fixing in a bath having a bleaching and fixing ability; and (c) independently supplying a low pH replenisher and a high pH replenisher to the developing bath each in an amount depending on the quantity of photographic material processed, the low pH replenisher having a pH of from 2 to 6 and mainly containing a color developing agent and the high pH replenisher containing one or more components of the developing bath, wherein the components of the each replenisher are sufficiently diluted upon addition to the developing bath to avoid formation of a precipitate by mixing with the components of th

Abstract: An improved photographic developing solution is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents such as hydroquinone, has a pH in the range of from 9.5 to 11.5 and comprises (1) an ascorbic acid developing agent, (2) an auxiliary super-additive developing agent and (3) a carbonate buffering agent in a concentration of at least 0.5 molar. The developing solution is broadly useful in black-and-white development but is most advantageously employed in a process for forming a high-contrast image utilizing a silver halide photographic element comprising a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent and an amino compound which functions as an incorporated booster. The developing solution is ecologically advantageous, exhibits excellent stability with respect to seasoning effects, and provides high speed and good upper scale contrast combined with a low level of pepper fog and a moderate degree of chemical spread.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline processing liquid suitable for use in the silver complex diffusion transfer reversal (DTR-) process, wherein said liquid contains 3-(N,N-diethylamino)propane-1,2-diol and contains phosphate ions in a concentration of not more than 0.03 mol/l.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline processing liquid suitable for use in the silver complex diffusion transfer reversal (DTR-) process, wherein wherein said liquid contains a mixture of alkanolamines, the said mixture consisting of (I) N-methyl-diethanolamine and of (II) N,N-dimethyl-ethanolamine in a total amount in the range from 0.3 mol/l to 1.5 mol/l, and in a molar ratio of (I) to (II) from 1/20 to 20/1.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline processing liquid suitable for use in the silver complex diffusion transfer reversal (DTR-) process, wherein said liquid contains one or more alkanolamines, the said alkanolamine(s) consisting of one or more tertiary alkanolamines in an amount in the range from 0.3 mol to 1.5 mol/l, and one or more secondary alkanolamines in an amount from 0 mol % to 5 mol % with respect to the amount of tertiary alkanolamine(s), and said liquid also contains a mixture of a silver image toning agent A being 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof and at least one other silver image toning agent B being a 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof, wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted with halogen, the toning agent A and toning agent(s) B being present in said liquid in a molar ratio from 1/15 to 15/1.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline processing liquid suitable for use in the silver complex diffusion transfer (DTR-) process, wherein said liquid contains one or more alkanolamines, the said alkanolamine(s) consisting of one or more tertiary alkanolamines in an amount in the range from 0.15 mol to 1.5 mol/l, and one or more secondary alkanolamines in an amount higher than 5 mol % but not higher than 100 mol % with respect to the amount of tertiary alkanolamine(s), and said liquid also contains a mixture of a silver image toning agent A being 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof and at least one other silver image toning agent B being a 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol or a tautomer thereof, wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted with halogen, the toning agent A and toning agent(s) B being present in said liquid in a molar ratio from 1/15 to 15/1.

Abstract: A color image is formed by imagewise exposing a color photosensitive material comprising at least a silver halide and a coupler and subjecting the material to intensified development with a processing solution containing a reducing agent and an intensifier. A substantially water-insoluble basic metal compound is previously contained in the silver halide based color photosensitive material, while the processing solution contains a compound capable of complexing reaction with the metal ion of the substantially water-insoluble basic metal compound to release a base.

Abstract: A process for developing a photographic material containing on a support an image-wise exposed silver halide emulsion layer of which the silver halide is substantially silver chloride and in which the photographic material before its exposure contains already at least one silver halide developing agent in a hydrophilic colloid binder in waterpermeable relationship with the silver halide, said process containing the step of contacting the exposed photographic material with an aqueous alkaline liquid, called activator liquid, being initially substantially free from developing agent(s), said contacting being not followed by a silver complex diffusion transfer processing, characterized in that said aqueous alkaline liquid contains a primary and/or secondary amine.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline photographic silver halide developer composition comprising a dihydroxy benzene developing agent, an auxiliary superadditive developing agent, an antifogging agent, an antioxidant and a buffering agent, characterized by the fact that the composition further comprises a stabilizing amount of an .alpha.-ketocarboxylic acid.The developer composition has a better resistance against air oxidation and can be left in continuous transport automatic processors for several days without undergoing any substantial decrease of its developing properties.The developer composition is particularly useful in a process for the formation of a high contrast silver image by developing silver halide photographic elements including at least a negative acting surface latent image type silver halide emulsion in the presence of a hydrazine compound, preferably in the additional presence of an effective amount of a contrast promoting agent.

Abstract: An image-forming method is disclosed. The method includes providing a silver halide color photographic material and imagewise exposing that material. The exposed material is color developed in the presence of a compound capable of reacting with or adsorbing a silver halide. The material is developed within a mono-bath intensifying developing solution which includes hydrogen peroxide or a compound capable of releasing hydrogen peroxide and a color developing agent. The solution substantially excludes the presence of bromide ions and iodide ions. The compound capable of reacting with or being absorbed into silver halide is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound which has been found to be very useful in the image-forming method to obtain high color density with materials containing a small amount of silver halide.

Abstract: The stability of baths containing fogging agents, especially the stability of baths containing tin-II-ions, is increased by addition of an agent of the following formula ##STR1## respectively, a tautomeric or a salt thereof, the meaning of the substituents being as indicated in the specification.

Abstract: A method of processing with a developer a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is disclosed, the material comprising a support and provided thereon, a silver halide emulsion layer comprising silver halide grains having not less than 90 mol % chloride, the emulsion layer or a hydrophilic colloid layer adjacent to the emulsion layer containing a tetrazolium compound, or a hydrazine derivative, and replenisher for developer being supplied to the developer in an amount of not more than 200 ml per m.sup.2 of the material processed, wherein the developer contains a carbonate salt in an amount of not less than 0.2 mol/liter.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for forming a high contrast photographic image including the steps of imagaewise exposing a silver halide photographic element containing a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent, wherein the element is free of incorporated amine boosters. The exposed element is developed with a chemically stable aqueous alkaline developing solution that is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and has a pH between 9.5 and 11. The developing solution comprises an ascorbic acid developing agent; an auxiliary developing agent; and a combination of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal borate comprising between 0.125 and 0.5 molar concentration of the carbonate and between 0.04 and 0.35 molar concentration of the borate.