Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a sacrificial during a novel process sequence of lithography and photoresist patterning are provided. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate having a resist material and an anti-reflective coating material thereon includes depositing an organic polymer layer over the surface of the substrate inside a process chamber using a CVD technique. The CVD technique includes flowing a monomer into a processing region of the process chamber, flowing an initiator into the processing region through one or more filament wires heated to a temperature between about 200° C. and about 450° C., and forming the organic polymer layer. In addition, the organic polymer layer is ashable and can be removed from the surface of the substrate when the resist material is removed from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of processing a photothermographic material by a thermal processor is disclosed, wherein the photothermographic material comprises on one side of a support a light-sensitive layer containing an organic silver salt, silver halide grains, a binder and a reducing agent and a light-insensitive layer and on the other side of the support a back coating layer; the thermal processor uses a transport system in which a feed roller is disposed with being in contact with a bundle of plural stacked film sheets of the photothermographic material so as to feed the uppermost film sheet of the bundle of film sheets through rotation of the feed roller to expose and develop the fed film sheet; the light-insensitive layer or the back coating layer contains a lubricant having a mass average molecular weight of 550 or more.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for reducing particle contamination of a surface of an object such as a reticle used in an EUV lithography system. An exemplary apparatus includes a thermophoresis device and an electrophoresis device. The thermophoresis device is situated relative to and spaced from the surface, and is configured to produce a thermophoretic force, in a gas flowing past and contacting the surface, sufficient to inhibit particles in the gas from contacting the surface. The electrophoresis device is situated relative to a region of the surface contacted by the gas and is configured to deflect particles, having an electrostatic charge, in the gas away from the region as the gas flows past the region.

Abstract: A method of forming an image using a photothermographic material containing a support having thereon an image forming layer which contains an organic silver salt, silver halide grains, a binder and a reducing agent, the method including the steps of: imagewise exposing the photothermographic material to light to form a latent image; and simultaneously or sequentially heating the exposed photothermographic material to develop the latent image, wherein at least two matting agents are contained on one surface of the support, and an average particle size LA of Matting agent A and an average particle size LB of Matting agent B satisfy the following relationship: 1.5?LB/LA?6.0, provided that Matting agent A is the matting agent having a largest weight ratio; and Matting agent B is the matting agent having a second largest weight ratio.

Abstract: A heat-developable photosensitive material comprising a support, providing thereon, an organic silver salt, silver halide, a binder and a reducing agent, wherein a value of Rz(E)/Rz(B) is from 0.1 to 0.7 in which Rz(E) is the ten-point average roughness of the outermost surface of the image forming layer side and Rz(B) is the ten-point average roughness of the outermost surface of the side of the support opposite to the side of the image forming layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning treatment composition containers are disclosed which are capable of taking out photographic treatment compositions in the form of powder, granules, tablets or slurry from the containers without adhesion of the components to the inner wall of the container and residue of the coagulated and solidified substances and as well as cleaning the inside portions of the containers. The method and apparatus for cleaning the containers for the photographic treatment compositions have the steps of mounting containers filled with treatment compositions in the form of powder, granules, tablets or slurry and comprising as a resin, only high-density polyethylene (HDPE) having a density of 0.941 to 0.969 g/cm3 and a melt index of 0.3 g/10 min to 5.0 g/10 min to a cleaning apparatus; opening an opening portion of the container to inject the treatment material into a dissolving tank, and spraying cleaning water into the empty container from a nozzle.

Abstract: A method of forming an image using a photothermographic material containing a support having thereon an image forming layer which contains an organic silver salt, silver halide grains, a binder and a reducing agent, the method including the steps of: imagewise exposing the photothermographic material to light to form a latent image; and simultaneously or sequentially heating the exposed photothermographic material to develop the latent image, wherein at least two matting agents are contained on one surface of the support, and an average particle size LA of Matting agent A and an average particle size LB of Matting agent B satisfy the following relationship: 1.5?LB/LA?6.0, provided that Matting agent A is the matting agent having a largest weight ratio; and Matting agent B is the matting agent having a second largest weight ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed are a thermally transferable image protective sheet and a method for protective layer formation that can provide a protective layer which can protect an image of a record produced by a nonsilver photographic color hard copy recording method, can impart lightfastness and other properties to the record, and can realize a record having a glossy impression comparable to silver salt photographs. The thermally transferable image protective sheet comprises a support and a thermally transferable resin layer having a single-layer or multilayer structure stacked on the support so as to be separable from the support.

Abstract: A method of forming an image using a photothermographic material containing a support having thereon an image forming layer which contains an organic silver salt, silver halide grains, a binder and a reducing agent, the method including the steps of: imagewise exposing the photothermographic material to light to form a latent image; and simultaneously or sequentially heating the exposed photothermographic material to develop the latent image, wherein at least two matting agents are contained on one surface of the support, and an average particle size LA of Matting agent A and an average particle size LB of Matting agent B satisfy the following relationship: 1.5?LB/LA?6.0, provided that Matting agent A is the matting agent having a largest weight ratio; and Matting agent B is the matting agent having a second largest weight ratio.

Abstract: A process for preparing a substantially transparent conductive layer configuration on a support, the layer configuration comprising in any order at least a first layer containing an intrinsically conductive polymer optionally containing structural units represented by formula (I): wherein n is larger than 1 and each of R1 and R2 independently represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted C1-4 alkyl group or together represent an optionally substituted C1-4 alkylene group or an optionally substituted cycloalkylene group, preferably an ethylene group, an optionally alkyl-substituted methylene group, an optionally C1-12 alkyl- or phenyl-substituted ethylene group, a 1,3-propylene group or a 1,2-cyclohexylene group; and a second layer consisting of a non-continuous layer of conductive silver, the process comprising the step of: preparing the second layer by a photographic process; and light emitting diodes, photovoltaic devices, transistors and electroluminescent devices comprising a layer configuration pr

Abstract: Disclosed are a thermally transferable image protective sheet and a method for protective layer formation that can provide a protective layer which can protect an image of a record produced by a nonsilver photographic color hard copy recording method, can impart lightfastness and other properties to the record, and can realize a record having a glossy impression comparable to silver salt photographs. The thermally transferable image protective sheet comprises a support and a thermally transferable resin layer having a single-layer or multilayer structure stacked on the support so as to be separable from the support.

Abstract: A method of developing a latent image on a photographic element (such as imagewise exposed photographic film) by absorbing a dye precursor into the film, applying a developer solution to the film to develop the latent image and form a dye in the film, scanning the film with light, and detecting at least one of light reflected away from and light transmitted through the film.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming method in which a silver halide color photosensitive material has a back layer on an opposite side to the silver halide emulsion layers. The back layer contains colloidal silica and has a surface resistance of 1.

Abstract: The color light-sensitive material has at least four light-sensitive layers of different spectral sensitivity waveforms in a visible range, with a covariance between spectral sensitivities of at least four light-sensitive layers being no more than 0.5, and at least four light-sensitive layers, after development processing; being colored with color materials having different spectral absorption waveforms. The image processing method and apparatus expose and develop the color light-sensitive material described above to form an image, allow the image formed on the color light-sensitive material to be entered by an image input device having at least four light-sensitive portions of different spectral sensitivity waveforms and perform color transformation with an image converting unit on an input image obtained by entering.

Abstract: A deformable color photographic silver halide material, said color photographic silver halide material comprising on a deformable plastic support at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one yellow coupler, at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one magenta coupler and at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one cyan coupler, wherein the silver halide emulsions have an overall silver chloride content of at least 95 mol % and at least one silver halide emulsion contains silver halide crystals that are doped with 10 to 700 nmol iridium

Abstract: A method of processing photographic color papers is carried out using a photographic bleach-fixing composition in a bleach-fixing step that is carried out for less than 60 seconds. The bleach-fixing composition comprises certain aliphatic or aromatic sulfur-containing compounds that include a —N═C(SH)— group. The bleach-fixing composition can be prepared from a two-part bleach-fixing kit having two solutions that can be added directly to a processing chamber or premixed to form a replenisher solution.

Abstract: A photothermographic film and a method for making same is taught. The film includes a support, a photothermographic imaging layer coated on the support, and a complement film generally confining the photothermographic imaging layer between the support and the complement film. The complement film is applied to the photothermographic imaging layer prior to exposure of the photothermographic imaging layer. The complement film retains any volatile materials present in the photothermographic imaging layer generated when thermal energy is applied thereto to develop a latent image exposed on the photothermographic imaging layer.

Abstract: A method of processing material in which the material is held on the outside periphery of a drum and processing solution is applied at least twice to the sensitized surface of the material as the drum rotates. The total volume of solution applied is less than 300 ml/sqm of material being processed.

Abstract: This relates to a method of rendering a used photographic processing solution less corrosive to low carbon steel comprising: taking at least a used photographic processing solution containing a color developing agent and a used photographic processing solution containing a bleaching agent; delivering the used photographic processing solutions to a collection vessel to form a used photographic processing composition; and adjusting the pH of the used photographic processing composition to 6.5 to 11.

Abstract: The invention provides a photographic element comprising a transparent polymer sheet, at least one layer containing negative working photosensitive silver halide and at least one upper protective shield to protect the surface of said transparent polymer.

Abstract: An aqueous developer solution for use in digital film processing. The developer solution includes a developing agent and at least one surfactant or thickener. A method of processing a photographic film is also provided, and includes the steps of coating an aqueous developer solution containing at least one surfactant or thickener onto the film, thereby developing the film, and scanning the film through the coating of developer solution.

Abstract: The color light-sensitive material has at least four light-sensitive layers of different spectral sensitivity waveforms in a visible range, with a covariance between spectral sensitivities of at least four light-sensitive layers being no more than 0.5, and at least four light-sensitive layers, after development processing; being colored with color materials having different spectral absorption waveforms. The image processing method and apparatus expose and develop the color light-sensitive material described above to form an image, allow the image formed on the color light-sensitive material to be entered by an image input device having at least four light-sensitive portions of different spectral sensitivity waveforms and perform color transformation with an image converting unit on an input image obtained by entering.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light sensitive photographic element suitable for image capture followed by machine reading to produce a single perspective two-dimensional color image, said element comprising a two-sided support (a) having disposed on one side of said support a red light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer unit, a green light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer unit, and a blue light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer unit, and (b) having disposed on the opposing side of said support a convergent micro-lens array located and sized to be sufficient to concentrate the image light of a single perspective of an image incident on an area of a micro-lens onto a smaller area of the emulsion layer units. Such elements provide improved latitude in image recording.

Abstract: A photographic washing bath comprises a chamber containing a wash solution for a silver halide photographic material having a pH of less than 7 and comprising water having dissolved therein an oxidizing agent, said oxidizing agent having an oxidizing potential of at least 1 volt and being in a concentration of from 0.05 to 2 Molar. The oxidation potential of the oxidizing agent is preferably at least 1.2 volts and may be hydrogen peroxide or a source of hydrogen peroxide, a persulphate, a perborate, a bromate, or an iodate. A washing process using the invention is suitable for being carried out in same chamber as the development and fixing stages in which case hydrogen peroxide is the preferred oxidizing agent because any peroxide remaining at the end of the wash stage can be removed by evaporation, thereby avoiding risk of contamination of the next stage to be carried out in the chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for processing a silver halide color photographic material comprising the steps of loading the material into a chamber adapted to hold the material therein; introducing a measured amount of a color developer solution into the chamber; developing the photographic material with the color developer solution; introducing into the chamber a measured amount of a processing solution which arrests development, without removing the color developer solution, to form a developer/stop solution mixture; processing the photographic material with the developer/stop solution mixture, substantially removing all of the developer/stop mixture solution from the chamber; then providing in the chamber a bleach/fixer solution mixture comprising a bleaching agent and a fixing agent; and processing the photographic material with the bleach/fixer solution mixture; wherein the color developer solution is utilized in the amount of greater than or equal to 375 ml/m2 of the photographic material that is

Abstract: A concentrated color developer composition packed in a container which is comprised of material exhibiting an oxygen permeability of not more than 50 ml/(m2·day·atm), and the concentrated color developer composition comprising a hydroxyalkyl-substituted p-phenediamine type color developing agent of not less than 0.05 mol/l, a sulfite and a hydroxylamine salt. The processing method by use of the concentrated composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photographic bleach-fixing composition has reduced odor and acceptable storage stability. It comprises an iron-ligand complex bleaching agent, thiosulfate fixing agent, sulfite ions, and a phthalic acid or salt thereof. This bleach-fixing composition can be used in various photographic processing protocols to provide color images from color photographic silver halide materials.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic material comprises the steps of loading the material into a chamber adapted to hold the material therein, introducing a metered amount of a first processing solution into the chamber, processing the photographic material with the first processing solution, introducing a metered amount of a second processing solution which is other than a second part of the first processing solution into the chamber without removing the first processing solution so that at least part of the total volume of the second processing solution is provided by the first processing solution and processing the photographic material with the second processing solution, the total volume of solution for each processing stage being spread over the whole area of the photographic material in a repetitive manner to enable uniform processing.

Abstract: A black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability and is more compatible with the environment when discarded. The composition includes one or more ascorbic acid developing agents and is essentially free of hydroquinone and similar developing agents. It comprises a mono- or disaccharide such as ribose, fructose, lactose, glucose or galactose as a stabilizing agent for the developing agent.

Abstract: A method of providing an image in an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic silver material comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer, comprises developing the silver halide and fixing the remaining silver halide by (i) contacting the photographic material with a composition comprising a solid complexing agent for the silver halide in the presence of a sufficient amount of water to transfer complexing agent to the surface of the photographic material and (ii) applying heat to cause the complexing agent to react with the silver halide to render it substantially clear.

Abstract: An image forming assembly and method utilizes a laminate processing sheet. The laminate processing sheet is applied on an emulsion side of an exposed photosensitive film which includes sprocket holes along opposing edges. In a first feature of the present invention, a width of the laminate processing sheet is confined to an image area between the opposing sprocket holes, so as to reduce or eliminate the possibility of processing marks in or around an area of the opposing sprocket holes. In a further feature of the present invention, an absorbing sheet can be applied to the backside of the photosensitive film, to absorb any excess processing or wetting solution that is applied to the photosensitive film. This also aids in reducing or eliminating unwanted processing marks at the sprocket holes or an area in the vicinity of the sprocket holes.

Abstract: An image formation process of a silver halide color photographic light sensitive material is disclosed, rising coating a processing solution containing a color loping agent onto the exposed photographic material in a coating section to perform development, while supplying the processing solution to the coating section, wherein the processing solution has a viscosity of 10.1 to 15000 cp at 25° C. and the processing solution being supplied to the coating section at a supplying rate of 0.002 to 2.0 ml/sec.

Abstract: A method of delivering processing solution to a processing device wherein the processing solutions are provided within sealed members fixedly arranged on a movable web. The web moves relative to the processing area and the sealed members are ruptured when the processing solution within is required.

Abstract: A three-part color developing kit includes (I) a first concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 11 to about 13.5 and comprising at least 0.25 mol/l of sulfite ions, at least 2.5×10−5 mol/l of iodide ions, at least 0.05 mol/l of bromide ions, and at least 0.5 mol/l of a buffer having a pKa of from about 11 to about 13.5, (II) a second concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 3 to about 6 and comprising at least 1 g/l of a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer, and at least 0.05 mol/l of an organic antioxidant, and a third concentrated aqueous solution having a pH of from about 1 to about 3 and comprising at least 0.05 mol/l of a color developing agent, and at least 0.005 mol/l of sulfite ions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming a protective overcoat on a photographic element which element includes a processing-solution-permeable overcoat that becomes water-resistant in the final product without lamination or fusing. The method involves the incorporation of a small amount of a water-soluble organic solvent in the last step of the photographic process, i.e., during the washing step. This method allows the use of durable water-resistant protective overcoat materials with relatively high glass transition temperatures, that normally do not convert to impermeable films at low temperature, or without fusing.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide photographic material comprises passing the material through a processing solution repeatedly at a temperature suitable for processing, the material spending the major part of the processing time out of the liquid, wherein said processing solution has a viscosity from 0.7 to 5 cP at the processing temperature.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material in which a fixed volume of processing solution is added to the surface of the material and spread repeatedly over the length of material. The processing solution is added to the material in at least two stages.

Abstract: A method of providing an image in an imagewise exposed silver halide photographic silver material comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer, comprises developing the silver halide and fixing the remaining silver halide by (i) contacting the photographic material with a composition comprising a solid complexing agent for the silver halide in the presence of a sufficient amount of water to transfer complexing agent to the surface of the photographic material and (ii) applying heat to cause the complexing agent to react with the silver halide to render it substantially clear.

Abstract: A photographic prebleaching or conditioning composition is useful for providing color positive images in color reversal photographic materials. This composition includes at least 0.0001 mol/l of a cyclic mercapto bleach accelerating agent and at least 0.0001 mol/l of a water-soluble or water-dispersible 2,6-diarylaminotriazine or diaminostilbene dye stain reducing agent.

Abstract: A black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability and is more compatible with the environment when discarded. The composition includes one or more ascorbic acid developing agents and a preservative (such as a sulfite) and is essentially free of hydroquinone and similar developing agents. It comprises an &agr;-ketocarboxylic acid stabilizing agent at a molar ratio to the ascorbic acid developing agent of from about 0.05:1 to about 2.5:1, and at a molar ratio to the preservative of from about 0.05:1 to about 6.25:1.

Abstract: Stable, single-part photographic bleach-fixing “precursor” compositions comprise one or more iron-ligand complexes, one or more thiosulfates as the sole fixing agents, and optionally, a sulfite preservative. At least 50 mol % of the iron in the composition is in the form of Fe(II). This composition can be used directly in photoprocessing, or used as a regenerator when mixed with bleach-fixing overflow to provide a replenishing solution. Because the Fe(II) compounds are precursor bleaching agents, they must be oxidized to Fe(III) for active bleaching prior to or during the photographic processing operations.

Abstract: Stable, single-part photographic bleach-fixing “precursor” compositions comprise one or more iron-ligand complexes, one or more thiosulfates as the sole fixing agents, and optionally, a sulfite preservative. At least 50 mol % of the iron in the composition is in the form of Fe(II). This composition can be used directly in photoprocessing, or used as a regenerator when mixed with bleach-fixing overflow to provide a replenishing solution. Because the Fe(II) compounds are precursor bleaching agents, they must be oxidized to Fe(III) for active bleaching prior to or during the photographic processing operations.

Abstract: The method and apparatus supplies processing solution directly to the surface of a web of sensitized material by means of a movable applicator. The web and applicator are moved relative to each other to enable good mixing of the solution on the surface. The movable applicators can be moved in and out of contact with the material as required so that the process can be varied.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of making photographic one-part bleach-fix liquid concentrates, packaged in a single unit, wherein the bleaching agent is a polyvalent metal oxidizing agent are described. A thiocyanate salt is added in an amount sufficient to provide one-part bleach-fix liquid concentrates that are homogeneous, remain free of crystallized precipitates for extended periods of time, and that retain effective oxidizing potential during extended periods of storage. Alternatively, the present invention provides for compositions and methods of making stable bleach-fix liquid concentrates, suitable for dilution to working strength solutions, using a polyvalent metal oxidizing bleaching agent, at least one fixing agent, and a source of phosphate ions. Precipitation, which occurs when an iron (III) bleaching agent is reduced by components of the concentrate, is prevented by the addition of thiocyanate and/or phosphate ions.

Abstract: A method of producing a photographic image in an imagewise exposed photographic material comprising one or more silver halide emulsion layers comprises developing the material with a developer solution containing a silver halide developing agent, applying to the surface of the developed material a solution of a sulphite compound that reacts with oxidised developing agent and prevents further development, and applying to the surface of the developed material a solution of an oxidant that oxidises any remaining developing agent, wherein said sulphite compound is present in an amount sufficient to react with all the oxidised developing agent and said solutions of sulphite and oxidant are applied to the material by means other than immersion in a tank.

Abstract: A method and system for environmental control in film processing is disclosed. In general, photographic film is coated with a processing solution, such as a developer solution, and is then developed within a controlled air environment. In the preferred embodiments, the temperature and humidity within the air environment is strictly controlled, which allows the development process to be more accurately and consistently controlled. This also allows fewer processing chemicals to be used and reduces harmful effluents caused by photographic film processing.

Abstract: An image forming assembly and method utilizes a laminate processing sheet. The laminate processing sheet is applied on an emulsion side of an exposed photosensitive film which includes sprocket holes along opposing edges. In a first feature of the present invention, a width of the laminate processing sheet is confined to an image area between the opposing sprocket holes, so as to reduce or eliminate the possibility of processing marks in or around an area of the opposing sprocket holes In a further feature of the present invention, an absorbing sheet can be applied to the backside of the photosensitive film, to absorb any excess processing or wetting solution that is applied to the photosensitive film. This also aids in reducing or eliminating unwanted processing marks at the sprocket holes or an area in the vicinity of the sprocket holes.

Abstract: A method of processing a photographic imaging element to obtain a protective overcoat is disclosed, which overcoat provides, in the final product, resistance to fingerprints, common stains, and spills. More particularly, the present invention involves a processing-solution-permeable overcoat that becomes water and stain resistant in the photochemically processed product. The overcoat formulation comprises at least one water-dispersible hydrophobic polymer interspersed with a water-soluble polymer. During development or thereafter, before drying, the water-soluble polymer is removed to a significant extent. Subsequently, the imaged element is dried at an elevated temperature to facilitate coalescence of the overcoat to thereby provide enhanced stain resistance and water-resistance.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide photographic material comprises the steps of loading the material into a chamber adapted to hold the material therein, introducing a metered amount of a first processing solution into the chamber, processing the photographic material with the first processing solution, introducing a metered amount of a second processing solution which is other than a second part of the first processing solution into the chamber without removing the first processing solution so that at least part of the total volume of the second processing solution is provided by the first processing solution and processing the photographic material with the second processing solution, the total volume of solution for each processing stage being spread over the whole area of the photographic material in a repetitive manner to enable uniform processing.

Abstract: A method, and a system for employing the method, for providing a modified optical proximity correction (OPC) for correcting distortions of pattern lines on a semiconductor circuit wafer. The method comprises producing a mask having one or more pattern regions, and producing the semiconductor circuit wafer from the mask. The pattern regions include one or more non-edge pattern regions located adjacent to other of the non-edge pattern regions on the mask. The pattern regions further include one or more edge pattern regions located at or near an area on the mask not having the other non-edge pattern regions. The edge pattern regions have widths calculated to minimize the variance in dimensions between one or more pattern lines on the semiconductor circuit wafer formed from them and one or more pattern lines on the semiconductor circuit wafer formed from the non-edge pattern regions.