JP2001318444A - Color image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for forming color image for proof reading which ensures slight deterioration of an image, particularly a small dot gain change even in long-term storage of a photosensitive material as a method for obtaining a color image by the scanning exposure of a silver halide photosensitive material with a laser, a light emitting diode or the like or a method for obtaining a color image by scanning exposure from dot image information obtained by color separation and dot image conversion in color plate making and printing steps. SOLUTION: In the color image forming method in which a silver halide photosensitive material with a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye is exposed on the basis of digitalized dot image information to form an area gradation image of dots, the sensitizing dye is added in the state of solid fine particles when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with the sensitizing dye.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for forming a color image, and more particularly to a method for forming a color image using a silver halide light-sensitive material. The present invention relates to a color image forming method for forming a color image (color proof) used for calibration by exposing a silver halide photosensitive material according to a digital signal from halftone image information obtained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for obtaining a color proof from a plurality of black and white halftone images obtained by color separation and halftone image conversion in a color plate making or printing process, a silver halide color light-sensitive material having a white support Are described in JP-A-56-113139, JP-A-56-104335, JP-A-62-280746, and JP-A-6-280746.
2-280747, 62-280748, 62
Nos. -280747 and 62-280750.

On the other hand, a plate making method of converting an image into a digital signal and editing the image on a computer without using the above-described halftone dot black-and-white film has been widely used. By digitizing the image information, it is possible to improve the image processing speed, quickly send the image to a remote place, and quickly edit the image in which the layout, the color tone, and the like of the image are changed.

As a method of outputting an image edited in this way as a color proof, a method of scanning and exposing a silver halide color photosensitive material with a laser, a light emitting diode, or the like is known. I have a problem.

Among them, it has been newly found that when an image is formed using a photosensitive material stored for a long period of time, there is a problem that the obtained image quality is remarkably deteriorated, and in particular, the dot gain fluctuates. Improvements are required.

A silver halide emulsion used for a silver halide photosensitive material is usually color sensitized by adding a sensitizing dye, and spectrally sensitized to a desired wavelength region. When the sensitizing dye is added, the sensitizing dye is dissolved and added using an organic solvent such as methanol, or is dispersed and added in the form of solid fine particles. However, in the silver halide photosensitive material used for producing a color proof described in JP-A-11-242299, a correlation between a method of adding a sensitizing dye and a change in dot gain during storage with time has not been clarified.

The dot gain in the above is defined as 50 from the value of the dot area ratio (%) of the reproduced dot image when the dot area ratio of the dot image information of the document is 50%. It is represented by a reduced number. Note that the dot gain uses a value calculated using the Murray-Davis equation.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining a color image by scanning a silver halide light-sensitive material (hereinafter simply referred to as a light-sensitive material) by laser exposure or light-emitting diode. An object of the present invention is to provide a color image forming method in which deterioration of an image during storage of a silver halide light-sensitive material for a long period of time is small, and in particular, a dot gain fluctuation is small.

Further, in a color plate making and printing process, a method for obtaining a color image by performing scanning exposure on a silver halide photosensitive material from halftone image information obtained by converting color separation and halftone image, comprising the steps of: An object of the present invention is to provide a color image forming method for calibration in which deterioration of an image during storage for a long period of time is small, and in particular, fluctuation in dot gain is small.

[0010]

The above object of the present invention has been attained by the following constitutions.

1. By exposing a silver halide light-sensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye based on digitized dot image information, A color image forming method for forming a gradation image, wherein a sensitizing dye is added in the form of solid fine particles when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye.

2. By exposing a silver halide light-sensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye based on digitized dot image information, In the color image forming method for forming a gradation image, when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye, the sensitizing dye is added at a temperature of the silver halide emulsion of 45 ° C. or lower. Color image forming method.

3. By exposing a silver halide light-sensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye based on digitized dot image information, In a color image forming method for forming a gradation image, another sensitizing dye having a maximum absorption wavelength different from the sensitizing dye by 50 nm or more is added to the silver halide emulsion-containing layer sensitized with the sensitizing dye. A color image forming method, comprising:

4. By exposing a silver halide light-sensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye based on digitized dot image information, In a color image forming method for forming a gradation image, when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye, a compound represented by the above general formula [S] is added before the sensitizing dye is added. A color image forming method, comprising:

[0015] 5. By exposing a silver halide light-sensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye based on digitized dot image information, In a color image forming method for forming a gradation image, at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers has a mass ratio O / G of the total amount of the oil-soluble compound (O) and the total amount of the gelatin (G) of 0. A color image forming method, wherein the color image forming method is 0.5 or less.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. Claim 1
In the invention according to the invention, by exposing a silver halide photosensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color sensitized with a sensitizing dye based on digitized dot image information In a color image forming method for forming a halftone dot area gradation image, when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye, the sensitizing dye is added in the form of solid fine particles.

As the sensitizing dye used in the present invention, any of known compounds can be used. For example, Research Disclosure (Research Disc)
loss, hereinafter abbreviated as RD) No. 15162 and 1
No. 7643 can be used. Also,
Examples of blue-sensitive sensitizing dyes are BS-1 to 8 described in JP-A-3-251840, page 28, and examples of green-sensitive sensitizing dyes are GS-1 to 5 described in page 28 of JP-A-3-251840 and red-sensitive. Examples of the sensitizing dye include RS-1 to 8 described on page 29 of the same publication, and examples of the infrared-sensitive sensitizing dye include IRS-1 to 11 described on page 6 to 8 of JP-A-4-285950. Can be used.

The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the sensitizing dye is added to the silver halide emulsion in the form of solid fine particles.

As a method for obtaining a solid fine particle dispersion of a sensitizing dye, for example, a method of mechanically pulverizing and dispersing a sensitizing dye in an aqueous solvent using a high-speed stirring type disperser to form fine particles, As described in JP-A-58-105141, pH
A method of mechanically pulverizing and dispersing a sensitizing dye in an aqueous solvent under conditions of 6 to 8 and 60 ° C. to 80 ° C. to form fine particles, and a method of increasing the surface tension described in JP-B-60-6496 to 380 μN /
For example, a method of dispersing in the presence of a surfactant suppressed to not more than cm can be used.

Examples of the dispersing device which can be used for preparing the solid fine particle dispersion of the present invention include, for example, a high-speed stirring type dispersing device shown in FIG. Machine, sand mill disperser, ultrasonic disperser and the like. When using these dispersing apparatuses, a method may be used in which pretreatment such as dry pulverization is performed in advance and then wet dispersing is performed, as described in JP-A-4-125632.

In preparing a solid fine particle dispersion of a sensitizing dye,
In order to promote dispersibility, an organic solvent such as methanol or ethanol that does not completely dissolve the sensitizing dye may be used by mixing with water.

The particle size of the solid fine particles of the sensitizing dye used in the present invention is not particularly limited.
It is preferably 0 μm.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the temperature of the silver halide emulsion when the sensitizing dye is added to the silver halide emulsion is 45 ° C. or lower, more preferably 40 ° C. or lower. It is. The lower limit of the temperature is not particularly limited, but is preferably higher than the temperature at which gelatin contained in the silver halide emulsion gels.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the main sensitizing dye, the sensitizing dye has a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of 5
The feature is that a second sensitizing dye different by 0 nm or more is added. Λmax that can be used in the present invention is 50n
The second sensitizing dye differing by m or more is not particularly limited, and any known sensitizing dye can be used. The amount of the second sensitizing dye to be added is preferably 1/1000 to 1/1 by mass ratio, more preferably 1/200 to 1/2 with respect to the main sensitizing dye. preferable. As for the timing of addition, the main sensitizing dye and the second sensitizing dye may be added at the same time, or both may be added separately at different times.

In the invention according to claim 4, when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye, the compound represented by the general formula [S] is added before adding the sensitizing dye. It is characteristic.

In the general formula [S], examples of the 5-membered heterocyclic ring represented by Q include an imidazole ring, a tetrazole ring, a thiazole ring, an oxazole ring, a selenazole ring, a benzimidazole ring, a naphthimidazole ring,
Examples include a benzothiazole ring, a naphthothiazole ring, a benzoselenazole ring, a naphthoselenazole ring, a benzoxazole ring, and the like. Examples of the 6-membered heterocycle represented by Q include a pyridine ring, a pyrimidine ring, and a quinoline ring. And these 5- or 6-membered heterocycles include those having a substituent.

In the general formula [S], examples of the alkali metal atom represented by M include a sodium atom and a potassium atom.

Preferred compounds of the general formula [S] include:
For example, general formulas (S-1) to (S-4) described on pages 11 to 12 of JP-A-8-6201 can be mentioned.

[0029]

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In the formula, R ¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, a halogen atom, a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfo group or a salt thereof, or an amino group, and Z represents -NH-, -O -Or -S-,
M has the same meaning as M in the general formula [S].

[0031]

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In the formula, Ar represents a group represented by the following.

[0033]

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R ² represents an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfo group or a salt thereof, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an acylamino group, a carbamoyl group or a sulfonamide group. n represents the integer of 0-2. M has the same meaning as M in the general formula [S].

In the general formulas (S-1) and (S-2), examples of the alkyl group represented by R ¹ and R ² include a methyl group, an ethyl group and a butyl group, and examples of the alkoxy group include a methoxy group. , An ethoxy group and the like, and examples of the salt of the carboxyl group or the sulfo group include a sodium salt and an ammonium salt.

In the general formula (S-1), examples of the aryl group represented by R ¹ include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group, and examples of the halogen atom include a chlorine atom and a bromine atom.

In formula (S-2), examples of the acylamino group represented by R ² include a methylcarbonylamino group and a benzoylamino group, and examples of the carbamoyl group include an ethylcarbamoyl group and a phenylcarbamoyl group. Examples of the sulfonamide group include a methylsulfonamide group and a phenylsulfonamide group.

The above-mentioned alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl group, amino group, acylamino group, carbamoyl group, sulfonamide group and the like include those further having a substituent.

[0039]

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Wherein Z is -NR^Three-, Oxygen atom or sulfur
Represents an atom. R^ThreeIs hydrogen atom, alkyl group, aryl
Group, alkenyl group, cycloalkyl group, -SR³¹, -N
R³²(R ³³)-, -NHCOR³⁴, -NHSO_TwoR³⁵or
Represents a heterocyclic group;³¹Represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group,
Alkenyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group, -COR
³⁴Or -SO_TwoR³⁵And R³²And R³³Is hydrogen field
R, an alkyl group, or an aryl group;³⁴And R³⁵
Represents an alkyl group or an aryl group. M is the general formula [S]
Is synonymous with M.

R ³ , R ³¹ , R in the general formula (S-3)
^32, R ^33, R ³⁴ and the alkyl group represented by R ³⁵ include a methyl group, a benzyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, the aryl group a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, and the like.

The alkenyl group represented by R ³ and R ³¹ is, for example, a propenyl group, and the cycloalkyl group is, for example, a cyclohexyl group. Further, examples of the heterocyclic group represented by R ³ include a furyl group and a pyridinyl group.

The above R ³ , R ³¹ , R ³² , R ³³ , R ³⁴ and R
Alkyl and aryl groups represented by ³⁵ , R ³ and R ³¹
The alkenyl group and cycloalkyl group represented by and the heterocyclic group represented by R ³ include those further having a substituent.

[0044]

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In the formula, R ³ and M are each represented by the general formula (S-
It represents the same group as R ³ and M in 3). R ³¹ and R ³² represent the same groups as R ³¹ and R ³² in formula (S-3), respectively.

Specific examples of the compound represented by the formula [S] are shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0047]

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[0048]

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[0049]

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[0050]

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[0051]

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[0052]

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The compound represented by the general formula [S] is described in, for example, JP-B-40-28496 and JP-A-50-890.
No. 34, Journal of Chemical Society (J. Chem. Soc.) 49, 1748 (192)
7), 4237 (1952), Journal of Organic Chemistry (J. Org. Chem.)
39, 2469 (1965); U.S. Pat.
001, Journal of Chemical Society,
1723 (1951), JP-A-56-111846,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,275,701 and 3,266,8
No. 97, 2,403,927, etc., and can be synthesized according to the methods described in these documents.

The time for adding the compound represented by the general formula [S] is not particularly limited as long as it is before the sensitizing dye is added, and the compound can be added at any time.

The amount of the compound represented by the general formula [S] is not particularly limited, but is usually 1 × 10 ^-6 to 1 × 10 ^-1 mol, preferably 1 × 10 ^-1 mol per mol of silver halide. 10
^-5 to 1 × 10 ^-2 mol is added.

In the invention according to claim 5, at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers has a mass ratio O / G of 0.5 or less of the total amount (O) of the oil-soluble compound and the total amount (G) of the gelatin contained therein. There is a feature. The oil-soluble compound referred to in the present invention is a coupler which reacts with an oxidized form of a color developing agent to form a dye, a high-boiling organic solvent used for dissolving and dispersing the coupler, and the light of the formed dye image. An anti-fading agent for preventing discoloration due to heat, humidity, etc., and a compound having an oil solubility to be contained in a silver halide emulsion layer for various purposes such as a compound which reacts with an oxidized developing agent to prevent fog. That means.

In the present invention, it is preferable to perform image exposure using a light source unit including at least three lasers or light emitting diodes having different wavelengths. Among them, there may be one laser oscillator or light emitting diode etc. corresponding to a laser light source of a certain wavelength, or a case where a plurality of laser oscillators or light emitting diodes etc. simultaneously function as an image exposure light source as a laser light source of a certain wavelength There is also. In the present invention, at least three types of lasers or light emitting diodes have different wavelengths, and have an oscillation wavelength of at least 30 nm or more, preferably 50 nm or more.
More than one.

The silver halide light-sensitive material used in the present invention has at least one layer each of a silver halide emulsion layer containing a yellow coupler, a silver halide emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler, and a silver halide emulsion layer containing a cyan coupler. Is preferred.

In the present invention, the light source unit having at least three lasers or light emitting diodes having different wavelengths from each other may be used as a light source for forming a yellow image, a light source for forming a magenta image, and a light source for forming a cyan image, respectively. preferable.

In the present invention, in performing the scanning exposure on the silver halide photosensitive material, the silver halide photosensitive material is set so as to be wound around a rotating drum, and is synchronized with the rotation of the rotating drum so as to correspond to the image information. Exposure with a laser / light emitting diode or the like can be performed. The diameter of the rotating drum can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the size of the photosensitive material to be exposed. The number of rotations of the drum can be set arbitrarily, but the number of rotations can be selected as appropriate according to the beam diameter of a laser / light-emitting diode, energy intensity, light writing pattern, sensitivity of the photosensitive material, and the like. From the viewpoint of productivity, it is preferable that scanning exposure can be performed at a higher rotation speed, but specifically, 200 to 3000 rotations per minute is preferable.

The photosensitive material may be fixed to the drum by mechanical means. Alternatively, a large number of fine holes that can be sucked on the surface of the drum may be provided in accordance with the size of the photosensitive material. The material can be sucked and brought into close contact. It is necessary to fix the photosensitive material as closely as possible to the drum in order to prevent troubles such as image unevenness.

As the laser for exposing the photosensitive material, various conventionally known lasers can be used.
Gas lasers provide high power, but require large and expensive equipment and require a modulator. On the other hand, semiconductor lasers have advantages such as small size, low cost, and long life. Some semiconductor lasers have an oscillation wavelength from the visible part to the infrared.

As an example of a gas laser that emits visible light, a helium-cadmium laser (441.6 n
m), an argon ion laser (514.4 nm), a helium neon laser (632.8 nm), and the like. As a semiconductor laser, AlGaInAs
(670 nm), GaAlAs (750 nm), GaAs
lAs (760-850 nm) and the like, but are not limited thereto.

As light emitting diodes (LEDs), those having the same composition as semiconductor lasers are known, but various light emitting diodes from blue to infrared have been put to practical use.

In the color image forming method of the present invention, the exposure apparatus used is an exposure apparatus preferably used for large-size color prints and color proofs, and the silver halide photosensitive material wound in a roll is made of a light-sensitive material. The cartridge accommodated in the chamber can be loaded into the exposure device, pulled out, cut to the length required for image formation, wound around a rotating drum, and rotated by the laser exposure device while rotating the rotating drum. It is preferably used as a means for obtaining a color image by performing exposure and subsequent development processing. At this time, the laser exposure apparatus preferably has a mechanism for reading information given to the light-room cartridge, automatically identifying the type of photosensitive material, setting exposure conditions, or setting development processing conditions. .

Various types of bright room cartridges have been proposed, but all known bright room cartridges can be used. Further, by covering the outer periphery of the roll-shaped photosensitive material having a light-shielding flange with a light-shielding leader, the photosensitive material can be handled in a bright room while being shielded from light, and after loading the exposure apparatus, the leader is removed. A so-called easy-loading photosensitive material, which does not require a dark room and can easily load a roll-shaped photosensitive material into an apparatus, is also included in the bright room cartridge in the image forming method of the present invention. In that case, the readable information can be given to the reader or to the flange or the like.

As the silver halide emulsion used for the light-sensitive material of the present invention, a surface latent image type silver halide emulsion which forms a latent image on the surface by image exposure is used, and a negative image is formed by performing development. Emulsions may be used. Further, using an internal latent image type silver halide emulsion in which the surface of the grains is not fogged in advance, fog treatment (nucleation) after image exposure and then surface development, or fog treatment after image exposure. Emulsions that can directly obtain a positive image by performing surface development may be used. The emulsion containing the internal latent image type silver halide emulsion grains is a silver halide grain having a photosensitive nucleus mainly inside silver halide crystal grains and forming a latent image inside the grains upon exposure. And a silver halide emulsion containing the same.

The fogging treatment may be a method of giving an overall exposure, or a method of chemically performing the exposure using a fogging agent.
Further, a method using a strong developer may be used, or a method using heat treatment or the like may be used.

The entire surface exposure is performed by immersing or moistening the image-exposed photosensitive material in a developing solution or other aqueous solution, and then uniformly exposing the entire surface. The light source used here may be any light source as long as it has light in the photosensitive wavelength range of the photosensitive material,
High illuminance light such as flash light may be applied for a short time, or weak light may be applied for a long time. Further, the time of the entire surface exposure can be varied over a wide range so as to finally obtain the best positive image depending on the photosensitive material, the development processing conditions, the type of the light source used, and the like. In addition, it is most preferable that the exposure amount of the entire surface exposure be given in a certain fixed range in combination with the photosensitive material. Usually, when the exposure amount is excessively increased, the minimum density increases or desensitization occurs, and the image quality tends to be reduced.

As the technique of the fogging agent that can be used in the light-sensitive material of the present invention, it is preferable to use the technique described in JP-A-6-95283, page 18, right column, line 39 to page 19, left column, line 41. .

The non-pre-fogged internal latent image type silver halide grains which can be used in the light-sensitive material of the present invention include:
An emulsion having a silver halide grain that mainly forms a latent image inside the silver halide grain and has most of the photosensitive nuclei inside the grain, and includes any silver halide such as silver bromide and silver chloride. Silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide, silver iodobromide, silver chloroiodobromide and the like are included.

Particularly preferably, the coated silver amount is 1 to 3.5 g.
/ M ² , a portion of the sample applied to the transparent support in the range of from about 0.1 to about 1 second is exposed in a light intensity scale mode for a certain period of time from about 0.1 to about 1 second, and substantially exposed to light. When developed at 20 ° C. for 4 minutes using the following surface developer A that does not contain a silver halide solvent and develops only the surface image of the grains,
Another part of the same emulsion sample is also exposed to light and develops an image inside the grains. The maximum density not greater than 1/5 of the maximum density obtained when developed at 20 ° C. for 4 minutes with the following internal developing solution B This is an emulsion showing the density. More preferably, the maximum density obtained by using the following surface developer A is not more than 1/10 of the maximum density obtained by the following internal developer B.

(Surface developer A) Methol 2.5 g L-ascorbic acid 10.0 g Sodium metaborate (tetrahydrate) 35.0 g Potassium bromide 1.0 g Water was added to 1000 ml (Internal developer B) Methol 2 0.0g Sodium sulfite (anhydrous) 90.0g Hydroquinone 8.0g Sodium carbonate (monohydrate) 52.5g Potassium bromide 5.0g Potassium iodide 0.5g Add water 1000ml Internal latent image preferably used in the present invention Silver halide emulsions include those prepared by various methods. For example, conversion type silver halide emulsion described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,250, U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,316.
No. 3,317,322 and 3,367,7
No. 78, a silver halide emulsion having internally chemically sensitized silver halide grains, U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,157
Having silver halide grains containing polyvalent metal ions described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,927 and silver halide grains containing a dopant described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,276. Silver halide emulsion in which the grain surface is weakly chemically sensitized, JP-A-50-8524, JP-A-50-3852
Nos. 5 and 53-2408, silver halide emulsions comprising grains having a layered structure, and others.
And silver halide emulsions described in JP-A-156614 and JP-A-55-127549.

The shape of silver halide grains used in the present invention may be cubic, octahedral, tetrahedral composed of a mixture of (100) and (111) planes, shape having (110) plane, sphere, flat plate, etc. Any of these may be used. The average particle size is 0.
Those having a thickness of from 0.5 to 3 μm can be preferably used. The particle size distribution may be a monodisperse emulsion having a uniform particle size and crystal habit or an emulsion having no uniform particle size or crystal habit. It is preferably a silver halide emulsion.

The monodisperse silver halide emulsion referred to in the present invention means that the mass of silver halide contained within a grain size range of ± 20% around the average grain size rm is 6% of the mass of all silver halide grains.
0% or more, preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more. Here, the average particle diameter rm is the frequency ni and r of the particles having the particle diameter ri.
product ni × ri ³ and i ³ is defined as the particle size ri when the maximum (three significant figures, the minimum digit is ON 4 discard 5). The particle size ri referred to here is the diameter of a spherical silver halide grain, or the diameter of a non-spherical grain when the projected image is converted into a circular image of the same area. . The particle size can be obtained, for example, by photographing and printing silver halide particles with an electron microscope at a magnification of 10,000 to 50,000 times, and actually measuring the particle diameter or projected area on the print (measurement particles). The number is indiscriminately 1000 or more).

Particularly preferred highly monodisperse emulsions include: broadness of distribution (%) = (standard deviation of particle size / average particle size) × 10
The width of the distribution defined by 0 is 20% or less.
Here, the average particle diameter and the particle diameter standard deviation are determined from the particle diameter ri defined above.

A monodisperse emulsion is prepared by adding a water-soluble silver salt solution and a water-soluble halide solution to a gelatin solution containing seed particles by pAg
And under controlled pH and by the double jet method. In determining the addition rate, JP-A-54-48521 and JP-A-58-49938 may be used.
You can refer to the issue. As a method for obtaining a more highly monodisperse emulsion, a growth method in the presence of a tetrazaindene compound disclosed in JP-A-60-122935 can be applied.

Further, two or more monodisperse emulsions can be added to the same color-sensitive layer. In the present invention, the particle size of the emulsion used in each color-sensitive layer, the required performance, especially sensitivity,
It can be appropriately determined from a wide range in consideration of various characteristics such as sensitivity balance, color separation, sharpness, and granularity.

In the present invention, at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers contains Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, C
It may contain silver halide grains containing at least one metal selected from d, Re, Pb, Bi, and a metal of Group VIII of the periodic table. Among the above metals, preferred metals vary depending on the characteristics of silver halide grains, and particularly preferred metals are Ir, Rh, Pb,
Re is mentioned. The amount of the metal is preferably from 10 ^-9 to 10 ^-2 mol, particularly preferably from 10 ^-8 to 10 ^-3 mol, per mol of silver halide. These metals are added to the mixed reaction solution in the form of a solution dissolved in an aqueous solution or an organic solvent as metal ions when silver halide grains are formed while mixing and stirring a silver salt solution and a halide salt solution. It can be incorporated in silver halide grains by adding it or coexisting in an aqueous solution of a halogen salt. After the silver halide grains are formed, a solution in which metal ions are dissolved can be added and incorporated in the silver halide grains. In this case, a silver halide solution and a halogen salt solution may be further added to grow silver halide grains. The metal is usually added in the form of a metal complex salt or a metal compound such as a metal oxyacid salt or an organic acid salt. These metals may be incorporated at any position in the silver halide grains, may be concentrated in a part of the silver halide grains, or may be incorporated throughout the grains. Further, two or more metals may be incorporated, and when the silver halide grains are core / shell type grains,
Separate metals can be built into the core and shell.

For the silver halide emulsion used in the present invention, a sensitization method using a gold compound, a sensitization method using a chalcogen sensitizer, or the like can be used alone or in an appropriate combination.

As a chalcogen sensitizer to be used, a sulfur sensitizer, a selenium sensitizer, a tellurium sensitizer, and the like can be used, and a sulfur sensitizer is preferable. Examples of the sulfur sensitizer include thiosulfate, allylthiocarbamide, thiourea, allylisothiocyanate, cystine, p-toluenethiosulfonate, rhodanine, and inorganic sulfur. The addition amount of the sulfur sensitizer is preferably adjusted as appropriate depending on the type of silver halide emulsion to be applied, the size of the expected effect, and the like, but is preferably from 5 × 10 ^{−10 to} 5 × per mol of silver halide. ^10-5 mol is preferred, and more preferably in the range of 5 x ^{10-8 to} 3 x ^10-5 mol.

As a gold sensitizer, various gold complexes such as chloroauric acid and gold sulfide can be added. Examples of the ligand compound used include dimethyl rhodanine, thiocyanic acid, mercaptotetrazole, mercaptotriazole and the like. The amount of the gold compound used is not uniform depending on the type of silver halide emulsion, the type of compound to be used, the ripening conditions, etc., but usually 1 × 10 ^-4 to 1 × 10 ^-8 mol per mol of silver halide. It is preferred that
More preferably, it is 1 × 10 ⁻⁵ to 1 × 10 ⁻⁸ mol. A reduction sensitization method may be used as a chemical sensitization method for a silver halide emulsion.

As the yellow coupler contained in the yellow image forming layer, known acylacetanilide couplers and the like can be preferably used. Specific examples of the yellow coupler include, for example, JP-A-3-24134.
Compounds represented by Y-I-1 to Y-I-55 described in No. 5, pages 5 to 9, or JP-A-3-209466 11-14.
Compounds represented by Y-1 to Y-30 on the page can also be preferably used. Furthermore, couplers represented by the general formula [Y-I] described in JP-A-6-95283, page 21, can also be mentioned.

In the present invention, λmax of the spectral absorption of the formed yellow image is preferably 425 nm or _more , and λL _0.2 is preferably 515 nm or less. The λL _0.2 of the spectral absorption of the yellow color image is a value defined by the contents described in JP-A-6-95283, page 21, right column, lines 1 to 24. Is one of the spectral absorption characteristic values representing

The yellow coupler is usually used in the silver halide emulsion layer in an amount of from 1 × 10 ⁻³ to 1 × 10 ⁻³ per mol of silver halide.
It can be used in an amount of 1 mol, preferably 1 × 10 ⁻² to 8 × 10 ⁻¹ mol.

As the magenta coupler contained in the magenta image forming layer, a compound represented by the general formula [M-1] described in the right column of page 7 of JP-A-6-95283 has good spectral absorption characteristics of a coloring dye. preferable. Preferred examples of the compound include compounds M-1 to M-19 described on pages 8 to 11 of the same publication.
Can be mentioned. As still other specific examples, compounds M-1 to M-61 and 235,913 described in European Patent Publication No.
Compounds 1 to 223 described on page 92 can be mentioned, and they can be used in combination with other types of magenta couplers.

The magenta coupler is generally used in an amount of 1 × 10 ^-3 to 1 mol, preferably 1 × 10 ^-3 mol, per mol of silver halide.
^-2 to 8 × 10 ^-1 mol can be used.

In the photosensitive material according to the present invention, the λmax of the spectral absorption of the formed magenta image is 530 to 56.
0 nm, and λL _0.2 is 580 to 580.
It is preferably 635 nm.

Here, λL _{0.2 of the} spectral absorption referred to in the present invention.
And a method of measuring λmax will be described below using a magenta image as an example.

(Measurement Method of λL _0.2 and λmax) When a positive type silver halide emulsion is used as a light-sensitive material, the light-sensitive material is uniformly exposed to a minimum amount of red light capable of obtaining a minimum density of a cyan image, and After uniformly exposing with the minimum amount of blue light to obtain the minimum density of the yellow image, exposing it by applying white light through an ND filter, developing, attaching an integrating sphere to the spectrophotometer, and adding magnesium oxide And then adjust the density of the ND filter so that the maximum value of the absorbance at the time of measuring the spectral absorption at 500 to 700 nm is 1.0, thereby producing a magenta image. When a negative-type silver halide emulsion is used for the magenta coupler or the light-sensitive material, when the magenta image is formed by applying green light through an ND filter and developing to form a magenta image, the ND is set so that the same maximum absorbance as the above positive is obtained. Adjust the density of the filter. In the spectral absorption curve of the obtained magenta image, the wavelength showing the maximum absorbance of 1.0 is λmax, and λL _0.2 is a longer wave than the wavelength showing the maximum absorbance of 1.0 and shows an absorbance of 0.2. Refers to wavelength.

The magenta image forming layer of the light-sensitive material of the present invention preferably contains a yellow coupler in addition to the magenta coupler. The pKa of each of these couplers
The difference is preferably within 2 and more preferably within 1.5. An example of the preferred yellow coupler is a coupler represented by the general formula [Y-Ia] described in JP-A-6-95283, page 12, right column. The general formula [Y
Particularly preferred among the couplers represented by -Ia] are, when combined with the magenta coupler represented by the general formula [M-1], 3 or more lower than the pKa of the coupler represented by the general formula [M-1]. A yellow coupler having no pKa value.

Specific examples of the compound of the yellow coupler are described in JP-A-6-95283, pp. 12-13.
1 and Y-2, JP-A-2-139542, 13-1
(Y-1) to (Y-58) described on page 7 can be preferably used, but are not limited thereto.

As the cyan coupler contained in the cyan image forming layer, known phenol, naphthol or imidazole couplers can be used. For example, a phenol coupler substituted with an alkyl group, an acylamino group or a ureido group, a naphthol coupler formed from a 5-aminonaphthol skeleton, a bi-equivalent naphthol coupler having an oxygen atom introduced as a leaving group, and the like are typical. It is.

Among these, preferred compounds are those represented by the general formula [C-I] described in JP-A-6-95283, page 13.
And a cyan coupler represented by [C-II].

The cyan coupler is usually silver halide 1
1 × 10 ⁻³ to 1 mol, preferably 1 × 10 ⁻² per mol
It can be used in a range of ８8 × 10 ⁻¹ mol.

The yellow, magenta and cyan image forming layers in the light-sensitive material of the present invention are laminated and coated on a support, and the arrangement from the support may be in any order. As an example of a preferred embodiment, for example, a yellow image forming layer, a magenta image forming layer, and a cyan image forming layer are arranged from the side close to the support. In addition, an intermediate layer, a filter layer, a protective layer, and the like can be appropriately disposed as necessary.

An anti-fading agent can be used in combination with each of the yellow, magenta and cyan couplers in order to prevent fading of the formed dye image due to light, heat, humidity and the like.
Preferred compounds include phenyl ether compounds represented by general formulas I and II described in JP-A-2-66541, page 3, and general formula IIIB described in JP-A-3-174150.
A phenolic compound represented by
The amine compound represented by the general formula A described in No. 5 and the general formulas XII, XIII, XIV and XV described in JP-A-62-182741
Are particularly preferred for magenta dyes. Also, a compound represented by the general formula I 'described in JP-A-1-196049.
And the compound represented by the formula II described in JP-A-5-11417 are particularly preferred for yellow and cyan dyes.

In the oil-in-water type emulsification dispersion method used for adding a coupler or other organic compound used in a light-sensitive material, usually, the coupler or other organic compound has a boiling point of 150 or less.
It is dissolved in a water-insoluble high-boiling organic solvent at a temperature of at least 0 ° C., if necessary, in combination with a low-boiling and / or water-soluble organic solvent, and emulsified and dispersed in a hydrophilic binder such as an aqueous gelatin solution using a surfactant. .

Examples of the dispersing means include a stirrer, a homogenizer, a colloid mill, a flow jet mixer,
An ultrasonic disperser or the like can be used. A step of removing the low-boiling organic solvent after or simultaneously with the dispersion may be incorporated.

Examples of the high-boiling organic solvent which can be used for dissolving and dispersing the coupler and the like include phthalic acid esters such as dioctyl phthalate, di-i-decyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate, tricresyl phosphate, and tricresyl phosphate. Phosphate esters such as octyl phosphate and phosphine oxides such as trioctyl phosphine oxide are preferably used. The high-boiling organic solvent preferably has a dielectric constant of 3.5 to 7.0. Of course, two or more high-boiling organic solvents can be used in combination. Particularly preferred compounds having a high boiling point are those represented by the general formula [H] described in JP-A-6-95283, page 22.
Compounds represented by BS-I] and [HBS-II], particularly preferably compounds represented by [HBS-II]. Specific compounds include, for example, JP-A-2-124
No. 568, pp. 53-68.
95.

The surfactant used for dispersing the photographic additive used in the photosensitive material and adjusting the surface tension at the time of coating includes a hydrophobic group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms and a sulfo group or a salt thereof in one molecule. Is preferred. In particular,
Compounds represented by A-1 to A-11 described in JP-A-64-26854 can be exemplified. Further, a surfactant in which a fluorine atom is substituted for an alkyl group is also preferably used. These dispersions are usually added to a coating solution containing a silver halide emulsion, but the shorter the time from dispersion to the time of addition to the coating solution, and the shorter the time from addition to the coating solution to coating. Well, both are preferably within 10 hours.

In the light-sensitive material, a compound which reacts with the oxidized developing agent is added to a so-called intermediate layer between the light-sensitive layers to prevent color turbidity, or fog is added directly to the silver halide emulsion layer. And the like are preferably improved. The compound for this purpose is preferably a hydroquinone derivative, more preferably a dialkylhydroquinone such as 2,5-di-t-octylhydroquinone. Particularly preferred compounds are those represented by the general formula II described in JP-A-4-133056, and specifically, compounds II-1 to II-14 described on pages 13 to 14 and compounds described on page 17 of the same. Compound 1 is mentioned.

Also, an ultraviolet absorber is added to the photosensitive material,
It is preferable to prevent static fog and improve the light fastness of the dye image. Preferred examples of the ultraviolet absorber include benzotriazoles. Particularly preferred compounds are those represented by the general formula II described in JP-A-1-250944.
A compound represented by I-3, a compound represented by formula III described in JP-A-64-66646, and a compound represented by JP-A-63-18
No. 7240, UV-1L to UV-27L;
Compounds represented by the general formula I described in JP-A-1633 and compounds represented by the general formulas (I) and (II) described in JP-A-5-165144.

It is preferable that the light-sensitive material contains an oil-soluble dye or pigment because the whiteness is improved. Representative specific examples of the oil-soluble dyes include compounds 1 to 27 described in pages (8) to (9) of JP-A-2-842.

In the light-sensitive material, gelatin is preferably used as a binder. In particular, in order to remove the coloring components of gelatin, gelatin extract is subjected to hydrogen peroxide treatment, extracted from the raw material ossein subjected to hydrogen peroxide treatment, or manufactured from uncolored raw bone. Gelatin having improved transmittance using ossein is preferred. The gelatin may be any of alkali-treated ossein gelatin, acid-treated gelatin, gelatin derivative, and modified gelatin, and is particularly preferably alkali-treated ossein gelatin. The transmittance of gelatin is preferably 70% or more when a 10% by mass gelatin solution is prepared and the transmittance at 420 nm is measured with a spectrophotometer. The jelly strength of gelatin is preferably at least 250 g, particularly preferably 2 g, as determined by the method described in the Paggy Method.
70 g or more.

The total amount of gelatin contained on the image forming side of the light-sensitive material of the present invention is preferably less than 11 g / m ² . The lower limit is not particularly limited, but is generally preferably 3.0 g / m ² or more from the viewpoint of physical properties or photographic performance. The amount of gelatin can be determined by a method of measuring water described in the Paggy Method and converting it to the mass of gelatin containing 11.0% of water.

As a hardener of a binder represented by gelatin, it is preferable to use a vinyl sulfone hardener or a chlorotriazine hardener alone or in combination.
Specifically, JP-A-61-249054 and 61-2
It is preferable to use the compounds described in No. 45153 and the like. Further, in order to prevent the growth of molds and bacteria which adversely affect the photographic performance and image storability, JP-A-3-15764 is incorporated in the colloid layer.
It is preferable to add a preservative and an antifungal agent as described in No. 6.

It is preferable to add a compound for adjusting the toe gradation to the light-sensitive material. Preferred compounds include
The general formula [AO-I] described on page 17 of JP-A-6-95283.
Compounds represented by I] are preferred. Specific examples of the compound include compounds II-1 to II-8 described on page 18 of the publication. The amount of the [AO-II] compound to be added is preferably 0.001 to 0.50 g / m ² , more preferably 0.005 to 0.20 g / m ² . The above compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Further, a quinone derivative having 5 or more carbon atoms is converted to [AO-I
It can also be used in combination with the compound of [I]. However, in any of these cases, the amount used is 0.001 as a whole.
It is preferably in the range of ^{g / m 2 ~0.50g / m 2} .

It is preferable to include a fluorescent whitening agent in the light-sensitive material and / or the processing solution of the present invention in order to improve the whiteness.

In the present invention, a water-soluble dye may be added to the light-sensitive material. As water-soluble dyes, oxonol, cyanine, merocyanine, azo, anthraquinone,
Dyes such as arylidene and the like can be mentioned, and particularly preferred dyes are oxonol dyes and merocyanine dyes from the viewpoint of high decomposability in a developing bath and non-sensitizing ability to a silver halide emulsion.

Specific examples of oxonol dyes are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,187,225 and JP-A-48-4282.
No. 6, No. 49-5125, No. 49-99620, No. 50-91627, No. 51-77327, No. 55-
120660, 58-24139, 58-14
No. 3342, No. 59-38742, No. 59-1116
No. 40, No. 59-111641, No. 59-16843
No. 8, No. 60-218641, No. 62-31916
No. 62-66275, No. 62-66276, No. 62-185755, No. 62-273527, No. 6
No. 3-139949. Further, specific examples of merocyanine dyes are described in, for example, JP-A-50-14512.
No. 4, No. 58-120245, No. 63-35437
Nos. 63-35438, 63-34539 and 63-58437.

Typical examples of oxonol dyes and merocyanine dyes are water-soluble yellow dyes AIY-1 to AIY-14 described in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-150291, and water-soluble magenta dyes AIM-1 to AIM-14. And water-soluble cyan dyes AIC-1 to AIC-14.

Typical examples of water-soluble dyes other than oxonol dyes and merocyanine dyes include water-soluble yellow dyes AIY-15 to AIY-18 described in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-150291. Magenta dye AI
M-15 to AIM-18 and water-soluble cyan dye AIC-
15 to AIC-18.

In the present invention, black colloidal silver may be contained in the non-light-sensitive layer of the light-sensitive material. Black colloidal silver is reduced by keeping silver nitrate alkaline in gelatin in the presence of reducing agents such as hydroquinone, phenidone, ascorbic acid, pyrogallol, or dextrin in gelatin,
After that, neutralize, cool and set the gelatin,
It is obtained by removing a reducing agent and unnecessary salts by a noodle washing method. When reducing with alkali, it is preferable to produce colloidal silver particles in the presence of an azaindene compound or a mercapto compound, since colloidal silver particles having a uniform particle size can be obtained.

In the present invention, a white pigment may be contained in the non-photosensitive layer of the light-sensitive material. As the white pigment, an inorganic and / or organic white pigment can be used, and preferably an inorganic white pigment, for example, a sulfate of an alkaline earth metal such as barium sulfate, or a carbonate of an alkaline earth metal such as calcium carbonate. Salt, finely divided silica, synthetic silicate silica, calcium silicate, alumina, alumina hydrate,
Examples include titanium oxide, zinc oxide, talc, and clay. Among these, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and titanium oxide are more preferable, and barium sulfate and titanium oxide are particularly preferable. The titanium oxide may be a rutile type or an anatase type, and one whose surface is coated with a metal oxide such as hydrous alumina or hydrous ferrite is also used.

In the light-sensitive material, known photographic additives can be further used. Examples of this known photographic additive include, for example, RD17643, page 23, section III to page 29, XXI
And RD18716, pages 648 to 651.

The support preferably used in the present invention is a reflective support in which both surfaces of a paper substrate are coated with a resin containing a polyolefin resin as a main component, and the surface irregularities of the support are continuously measured. The integrated value (PY value) of the power spectrum in the frequency section of 1 to 12.5 mm on the surface of the support when the measurement signal is obtained by frequency analysis is 2.9 μm.
m or less.

In order to measure the PY value, the thickness unevenness of the polyolefin-coated support is continuously measured using a film thickness continuous measuring device (for example, manufactured by Anritsu Corporation), and the obtained measurement signal is subjected to frequency measurement. It is obtained by performing frequency analysis using an analyzer (for example, VC-2403 manufactured by Hitachi Electronics Co., Ltd.).

The base (base paper) of the reflective support can be selected from the same raw materials as those generally used for photographic printing paper. For example, natural pulp, synthetic pulp, a mixture of natural pulp and synthetic pulp, as well as various types of papermaking raw materials can be mentioned. In general, softwood pulp, hardwood pulp,
Natural pulp mainly composed of mixed pulp of softwood pulp and hardwood pulp can be used.

Further, additives such as sizing agents, fixing agents, strength enhancers, fillers, antistatic agents, dyes and the like which are generally used in papermaking and the like may be blended in the reflective support.
Further, a surface sizing agent, a surface strengthening agent, an antistatic agent and the like may be appropriately applied to the surface.

The reflection support is usually 50 to 300 g / m2.
A resin having a smooth surface having a mass of ² is used, and a resin for laminating the both surfaces thereof is ethylene, α-olefins, for example, a homopolymer such as polypropylene, a copolymer of at least two types of olefins or It can be selected from a mixture of at least two kinds of various polymers. Particularly preferred polyolefin resins are low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene or mixtures thereof.

The molecular weight of the polyolefin resin to be laminated on the reflective support is not particularly limited, but is usually in the range of 20,000 to 200,000. The polyolefin resin coating layer on the side of the reflection support on which the photographic emulsion is coated is preferably 25 to 50 μm, more preferably 25 to 35 μm.

The polyolefin used for laminating the back side of the reflection support (the reflection side of the side on which the emulsion layer is provided) is usually a mixture of low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene. You. In general, this laminate layer is often subjected to matting.

In forming the laminate on the front and back of the support,
In general, in order to enhance the flatness of the developed photosensitive material in a normal environment, a method of slightly increasing the density of the resin layer on the front side or increasing the amount of lamination on the back side compared to the front side is used.

In general, lamination on both the front and back surfaces of a reflective support can be formed by melt extrusion coating a polyolefin resin composition on the support. Further, it is preferable to apply a corona discharge treatment, a flame treatment, or the like to the surface of the support or, if necessary, to the front and back surfaces. Also, on the outermost part of the laminate layer on the surface, in order to improve the adhesiveness with the photographic emulsion,
Sub coat layer, on the top surface of the laminate layer on the back,
It is preferable to appropriately provide a back coat layer for improving the printing writability and the antistatic property.

The polyolefin resin used for laminating the surface of the support (the surface on which the emulsion layer is provided) preferably contains 13 to 20% by mass, more preferably 15 to 20% by mass of a white pigment dispersed and mixed therein. As the white pigment, inorganic and / or organic white pigments can be used, and representative examples thereof include the same white pigments as used in photosensitive materials.

In addition, it is preferable to add an antioxidant, a colored pigment and a fluorescent whitening agent for improving whiteness.

The surface shape of the reflective support may be smooth or may have an appropriate surface roughness, but it is preferable to select a reflective support having a gloss close to that of a printed matter. For example, JIS B 0601-1976
Has an average surface roughness SRa of 0.30 to 3.0 μm
It is preferred to use a white support having a m.

The surface gloss of the image forming layer side of the photosensitive material preferably has a gloss close to that of a printed material. For example, the glossiness GS of the surface of the image forming layer after processing is measured by a method specified in JIS Z8741. (60 °) of 5 to 60 is preferred.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to form a protective layer on the outermost surface of the light-sensitive material, and to add fine particle powder to the protective layer. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-95283 describes a fine particle powder (matting agent) and a method of using the same.
It is preferable to use the technique described in page 4, left column, line 42 to page 4, right column, line 33.

In the present invention, a support of a synthetic resin film such as polypropylene, the surface of which is further coated with polyolefin, may be used.

The thickness of the reflective support is not particularly limited.
Those having a thickness of 80 to 160 μm are preferably used. Particularly, those having a thickness of 90 to 130 μm are preferable.

In developing the light-sensitive material of the present invention, the developing solution, the bleach-fixing solution, and the stabilizing solution are each composed of a replenishing developer,
Development processing can be continuously performed while replenishing a replenishing bleaching solution, a replenishing fixing solution, a replenishing bleach-fixing solution, a replenishing stabilizing solution, and the like.

Examples of the developer which can be used in the developer used for developing the light-sensitive material of the present invention include ordinary silver halide developers such as polyhydroxybenzenes such as hydroquinone, aminophenols, 3-pyrazolidones and ascorbin. Acids and derivatives thereof, reductones, phenylenediamines and the like, or mixtures thereof are included. Specifically, hydroquinone, aminophenol, N-methylaminophenol, 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone,
-Phenyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-pyrazolidone, 1
-Phenyl-4-methyl-4-hydroxymethyl-3-
Pyrazolidone, ascorbic acid, N, N-diethyl-p
-Phenylenediamine, diethylamino-o-toluidine, 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- (β-
Methanesulfonamidoethyl) aniline, 4-amino-
3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-
N-ethyl-N- (γ-hydroxypropyl) aniline and the like.

These developers can be incorporated in the emulsion in advance, and act on the silver halide during immersion in a high pH aqueous solution.

The developer may further contain a specific antifoggant and a development inhibitor, or these additives may be arbitrarily incorporated into the constituent layers of the light-sensitive material.

[0137]

EXAMPLES The present invention will now be described specifically with reference to examples, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

Example 1 An example of the image forming method of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an exposure apparatus used in the color image forming method of the present invention. Light source unit 1 having laser light source and / or light emitting diode light source
The laser light emitted from to ３ is image-exposed to a silver halide photosensitive material 6 set on a rotating drum 5 via an optical unit 4 of an optical system.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a laser light source unit showing an example of a light source unit used in the color image forming method of the present invention. Laser light emitted from a laser oscillator light source or light emitting diode light sources 21 to 23 is image-exposed to a silver halide photosensitive material set on a rotating drum 27 as a plurality of beam spots via optical units 25 and 26.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus used in the image forming method of the present invention. The silver halide photosensitive material 31 wound in a roll and stored in a light chamber cartridge is wound on a rotating drum 32 and then developed to form a final image.

Using the apparatus having the above-described configuration, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
An image consisting of dot information was formed on Sample 1-1 described in Example 1 of No. 242299, and as a result of evaluation, a clear image without unevenness could be stably obtained.

Example 2 << Preparation of Silver Halide Emulsion >> (Preparation of Emulsion Em-P1) While controlling the aqueous solution containing ossein gelatin at 40 ° C., an aqueous solution containing ammonia and silver nitrate, potassium bromide and sodium chloride (KBr: NaCl = 95: 5 in molar ratio) and an aqueous solution containing the same at a controlled double jet method.
A 38 μm cubic silver chlorobromide core emulsion was obtained. At this time, the pH and pAg were adjusted so that a cube was obtained as the particle shape.
Was appropriately controlled.

An aqueous solution containing ammonia and silver nitrate and an aqueous solution containing potassium bromide and sodium chloride (KBr: NaCl = 45: 55 in molar ratio) were simultaneously added to the obtained core emulsion by a controlled double jet method. Thus, a shell was formed until the average particle size became 0.54 μm. At that time, to obtain a cube as the particle shape,
pH and pAg were controlled appropriately. Next, after washing with water to remove water-soluble salts, gelatin was added to obtain an emulsion Em-P1. The width of the distribution of the emulsion Em-P1 was 8%.

(Preparation of Emulsion Em-P2)
In the preparation of P1, the particle size of the cubic silver chlorobromide core emulsion was 0.34 μm and the average particle size after forming the shell was 0.44 μm.
m, and the emulsion Em-
P2 was obtained. The width of the distribution of the emulsion Em-P2 is 8%
Met.

(Preparation of Emulsion Em-P3)
In the preparation of P1, the particle size of the cubic silver chlorobromide core emulsion was 0.21 μm and the average particle size after forming the shell was 0.33 μm.
m, and the emulsion Em-
P3 was obtained. The distribution width of this emulsion Em-P3 is 10
%Met.

(Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion) <Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion Em-G1> Sensitizing dye GS-1 dissolved in methanol was added to emulsion Em-P1 controlled at 50 ° C. per mole of silver. 120 mg was added, and the mixture was cooled after 60 minutes. A green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G1 thus sensitized was prepared.

<Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion Em-G2> In the preparation of the green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1, the sensitizing dye GS-1 was changed to a fine particle dispersion of the sensitizing dye GS-1 prepared by the following method. Green photosensitive emulsion Em-G2
Was prepared. The addition amount of the sensitizing dye GS-1 was the same as that of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1.

[Preparation of Fine Particle Dispersion of Sensitizing Dye] To 2 g of the sensitizing dye GS-1 was mixed at a ratio of 100 ml of pure water.
No. 5631, using the high-speed stirring type disperser described in FIG.
Dispersing at 4000 rpm for 100 minutes, sensitizing dye GS-1
Was obtained. In a similar manner, sensitizing dye GS
-2 fine particle dispersion liquid and sensitizing dye GS-3 fine particle dispersion liquid were prepared.

<Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion Em-G3> A green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1 was prepared in the same manner except that sensitizing dye GS-2 was used in place of sensitizing dye GS-1. Photosensitive emulsion Em-G3 was prepared.

<Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion Em-G4> In the preparation of the green-sensitive emulsion Em-G2, a fine particle dispersion of the sensitizing dye GS-2 was used instead of the fine particle dispersion of the sensitizing dye GS-1. A green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G4 was prepared in the same manner except for the above.

<Preparation of Green Photosensitive Emulsion Em-G5> A green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 was prepared in the same manner except that sensitizing dye GS-3 was used in place of sensitizing dye GS-1. Photosensitive emulsion Em-G5 was prepared.

<Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion Em-G6> In the preparation of green-sensitive emulsion Em-G2, a fine particle dispersion of sensitizing dye GS-3 was used instead of the fine particle dispersion of sensitizing dye GS-1. A green photosensitive emulsion Em-G6 was prepared in the same manner except that

(Preparation of Red-Sensitive Emulsion) Emulsion Em-P2
Was added with 48 mg of sensitizing dyes RS-1 and RS-2 per mol of silver, respectively.
In the same manner as in -G1, a red-sensitive emulsion Em-R1 was prepared.

(Preparation of infrared-sensitive emulsion) Emulsion Em-P3
The sensitizing dyes IRS-1 and IRS-2 were each added to silver 1
Except for adding 13 mg per mol and performing color sensitization, an infrared-sensitive emulsion Em-IR1 was prepared in the same manner as the green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1.
Was prepared.

[0156]

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[0157]

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[0158]

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<< Preparation of Multilayer Silver Halide Color Photosensitive Material Sample >> A high-density polyethylene was laminated on one side and a molten polyethylene containing anatase-type titanium oxide dispersed at a content of 15% by mass was laminated on the other side. /
The above Em-G1, Em-R1 and Em-IR1 were used on a paper pulp reflective support having a thickness of m ² and a thickness of 100 μm.
Are sequentially applied to the polyethylene layer containing titanium oxide, and 6.00 g of gelatin is further applied to the back side.
/ M ^2, and the silica matting agent 0.65 g / m ² to prepare a sample 11 is a multi-layer silver halide color light-sensitive material by coating. The amount of each compound added in the table is represented by g per square rice, and the amount of silver halide emulsion added is expressed in terms of silver.

Although not shown in the table, H-1 and H-2 were used as hardeners, and the surfactants SU-1, SU-2 and SU- were used as coating and dispersing aids. 3 was added as needed to produce a sample.

[0161]

[Table 1]

The details of each compound used for preparing the above sample are shown below. SU-1: Sulfosuccinate di (2-ethylhexyl) ester sodium SU-2: Sulfosuccinate di (2,2,3,3,4,4)
Sodium 5,5-octafluoropentyl) ester SU-3: Sodium tri-i-propylnaphthalenesulfonate H-1: Sodium 2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxy-S-triazine H-2: Tetrakis (vinylsulfonyl) Methyl) methane SO-1: tri (n-octyl) phosphine oxide HQ-1: 2,5-di (t-butyl) hydroquinone HQ-2: 2,5-di [(1,1-dimethyl-4- Hexyloxycarbonyl) butyl] hydroquinone HQ-3: mass ratio of 2,5-di-sec-dodecylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-sec-tetradecylhydroquinone and 2-sec-dodecyl-5-sec-tetradecylhydroquinone 1: 1: 2 mixture T-1: 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,
7-tetrazaindene

[0163]

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[0164]

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[0165]

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[0166]

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Next, the sample 11 prepared above was replaced with Em-G2 to Em-G2 instead of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 of the seventh layer.
Samples 12 to 1 were prepared in the same manner except that Em-G6 was used.
No. 6 was produced.

Samples 11 to 16 prepared as described above
Was cut into a width of 580 mm and a length of 55 m, wound around a core so that the silver halide emulsion surface was turned up, and processed into a roll. Next, the roll-shaped sample prepared above is set in the storage portion of the silver halide photosensitive material 31 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the sample is pulled out from the cartridge, cut into a predetermined length, and rotated. An image was formed by an image forming apparatus including an image exposure unit including three laser exposure units having different wavelengths and an automatic development unit, and the output image was obtained for each sample. The image exposure is performed by exposure with an infrared laser corresponding to the yellow dot test chart image, green laser exposure corresponding to the magenta dot test chart image, red laser exposure corresponding to the cyan dot test chart image, and black dot exposure. Green, red, and infrared exposures corresponding to the dot test chart images were prepared. As the laser exposure light source, the green laser is a helium / neon laser (54
4nm), red laser is a semiconductor laser (AlGaI)
nAs: about 670 nm), and a semiconductor laser (GaAlAs: about 780 nm) was used as an infrared laser. Further, the sample was suction-contacted to the rotating drum 32 and the rotation speed was 2,000.
The rotation was performed at a rate per minute, and the image was recorded by the main scanning and the sub-scanning. The exposure amount is 1μ for the exposure output of the green laser light source unit.
W, the exposure output of the red laser light source unit is 16 μW,
The exposure output of the infrared laser light source unit was 80 μW. However, at that time, 12 infrared semiconductor lasers are arranged,
The silver halide photosensitive material was simultaneously exposed to the above silver halide light-sensitive material as a 12-beam laser beam via optical means. Each light source unit has a single beam diameter of 22n.
m.

Next, the exposed sample was developed according to the following processing steps. However, in the fog exposure, the sample surface was uniformly exposed through a 3 mm-thick layer of the developer while being immersed in the developer.

[0170] Below, the composition per 1000 ml of each processing solution used in the processing step is shown.

(Color developing solution) Benzyl alcohol 15.0 ml Ceric sulfate 0.015 g Ethylene glycol 8.0 ml Potassium sulfite 2.5 g Potassium bromide 0.6 g Sodium chloride 0.2 g Potassium carbonate 25.0 g Inhibitor T- 1 0.1 g hydroxylamine sulfate 5.0 g sodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate 2.0 g 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline sulfate 4.6 g fluorescent brightener (4,4′- Diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivative) 1.0 g Potassium hydroxide 2.0 g Diethylene glycol 15.0 ml Water is added to make the total volume 1000 ml, and the pH is adjusted to 10.15.

(Bleaching / fixing solution) Ferric ammonium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate 90.0 g Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 3.0 g Ammonium thiosulfate (70% by mass aqueous solution) 180.0 ml Ammonium sulfite (40% by mass aqueous solution) 27.5 ml 3-mercapto- 0.15 g of 1,2,4-triazole Adjust the pH to 7.1 with potassium carbonate or glacial acetic acid, and add water to make the total volume 1000 ml.

(Stabilizing solution) o-phenylphenol 0.3 g potassium sulfite (50 mass% aqueous solution) 12.0 ml ethylene glycol 10.0 g 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 2.5 g bismuth chloride 0.2 g sulfuric acid Zinc heptahydrate 0.7 g Ammonium hydroxide (28% by mass aqueous solution) 2.0 g Polyvinylpyrrolidone (K-17) 0.2 g Fluorescent brightener (4,4'-diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivative) 2.0 g Hydroxide Adjust the pH to 7.5 with ammonium or sulfuric acid and add water to bring the total volume to 1000 ml.

Incidentally, the stabilization treatment was of a countercurrent type having a three-tank configuration. The composition of each replenisher per 1000 ml is shown below.

(Color developing replenisher) Benzyl alcohol 18.5 ml Ceric sulfate 0.015 g Ethylene glycol 10.0 ml Potassium sulfite 2.5 g Potassium bromide 0.3 g Sodium chloride 0.2 g Potassium carbonate 25.0 g Inhibitor T -1 0.1 g hydroxylamine sulfate 5.0 g sodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate 2.0 g 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline sulfate 5.5 g fluorescent brightener (4,4 ′ -Diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivative) 1.0 g Potassium hydroxide 2.0 g Diethylene glycol 18.0 ml Water is added to bring the total volume to 1000 ml, and the pH is adjusted to 10.35.

The bleach-fix replenisher has the same composition as the bleach-fixer, and the stable replenisher has the same composition as the stabilizer. The replenishment rate, color developer, bleach-fixing solution, stabilizing solution together, and the photosensitive material 1 m ² per 400 ml.

For each of the above samples, two kinds of samples were prepared: a sample stored at 40 ° C. and 60% RH for 4 weeks before exposure and development, and a sample stored refrigerated at 7 ° C. for 4 weeks. After the processing, a halftone dot image was obtained. In the obtained halftone dot image, the dot gain of the magenta halftone dot area ratio of 50% was measured, and the difference in dot gain between the sample stored at 40 ° C. and 60% RH and the sample stored refrigerated was determined. The dot gain difference is more preferable as the absolute value is closer to 0, indicating that the image is more stable. For the measurement of the dot gain, the density was measured using white light, and the value (D / G) of the dot gain was evaluated. The dot percentage of the output image was calculated using the Murray Davis equation.

Apparent halftone dot = ｛(1-10− ^{Dt + Db} ) /
(1-10 ^{−Ds + Db} )｝ × 100 (%) In the formula, Dt represents a halftone dot density, Db represents a white background density, and Ds represents a solid density. ).

Table 2 shows the results obtained as described above.

[0180]

[Table 2]

As is evident from the results in Table 2, Samples 12, 14 and 16 using the sensitizing dye according to the first aspect of the present invention in the form of solid fine particles can be stored at a high temperature for a long period of time. , The dot gain variation of the magenta halftone dot image is small,
It was found that a stable image could be obtained.

Example 3 Samples 21 to 23 as multilayer silver halide color light-sensitive materials were produced in the following manner.

(Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion) In the preparation of the green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, the emulsion Em-P1
Was prepared in the same manner as above except that the temperature was controlled to be 44 ° C. to prepare a green photosensitive emulsion Em-G7.

A green photosensitive emulsion Em-G8 was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, except that the temperature of the emulsion Em-P1 was controlled to be 39 ° C.

A green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G9 was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of the green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G2 described in Example 2, except that the temperature of the emulsion Em-P1 was controlled to be 39 ° C.

(Multilayer Silver Halide Color Photosensitive Material Sample 2)
Preparation of Samples 1 to 23) The sample 11 of Example 2 was replaced by the E prepared above except that the green photosensitive emulsion of the seventh layer was replaced with Em-G1.
Sample 2 was prepared in the same manner except that m-G7 to Em-G9 were used.
Samples 1 to 23 were prepared.

Samples 21 to 23 produced above and Example 2
Using the samples 11 and 12 prepared in the above, exposure and development were performed in the same manner as in Example 2, and the dot gain difference of the magenta halftone dot image was evaluated. The obtained results are shown in Table 3. Show.

[0188]

[Table 3]

As is clear from the results shown in Table 3, the samples 21, 22, and 23 according to the present invention, which correspond to claim 2 of the present invention, have a dot gain variation of the magenta halftone dot image even when stored for a long time at a high temperature. It can be seen that a stable image was obtained with a small amount, and in particular, Sample 2 in which the sensitizing dye was added in the form of solid fine particles.
3 showed excellent results.

Example 4 Samples 31 to 34, which are multilayer silver halide color light-sensitive materials, were prepared according to the following method.

(Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion) A green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that sensitizing dye OS-1 dissolved in methanol was further added in an amount of 50 mg per mol of silver. Green-sensitive emulsion Em-G10
Was prepared.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, the sensitizing dye OS-2 dissolved in methanol was used.
Was added in the same manner except that 20 mg was added per mol of silver to prepare a green photosensitive emulsion Em-G11.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G3 described in Example 2, the sensitizing dye OS-1 dissolved in methanol was used.
Was added in the same manner except that 40 mg was added per 1 mol of silver, to prepare a green photosensitive emulsion Em-G12.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G3 described in Example 2, the sensitizing dye OS-3 dissolved in methanol was used.
Was added in the same manner as above, except that 15 mg was added per mol of silver, whereby a green photosensitive emulsion Em-G13 was prepared.

The maximum absorption wavelength of each sensitizing dye used in the preparation of the above green photosensitive emulsion in a methanol solution was GS-
1: 503 nm, GS-2: 493 nm, OS-1: 3
80 nm, OS-2: 427 nm, OS-3: 406 n
m, and it was confirmed that two types of sensitizing dyes differing in maximum absorption wavelength by 50 nm or more were added to all of the green photosensitive emulsions Em-G10 to Em-G14.

[0196]

Embedded image

(Multilayer Silver Halide Color Photosensitive Material Sample 3
Preparation of Samples 1-34) Sample 11 of Example 2 was repeated except that the prepared green photosensitive emulsions Em-G10 to Em-G13 were used instead of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 of the seventh layer. Thus, Samples 31 to 34 were produced.

Samples 31 to 34 prepared above and Example 2
Using the samples 11 and 13 prepared in the above, exposure and development were performed in the same manner as in Example 2, and the dot gain difference of the magenta halftone dot image was evaluated. The obtained results are shown in Table 4. Show.

[0199]

[Table 4]

As is clear from the results shown in Table 4, the samples 31, 32, 33, and 34 according to the third aspect of the present invention have the dot gain of the magenta halftone dot image even when stored for a long time at a high temperature. It was found that a stable image with little fluctuation was obtained.

Example 5 Samples 41 to 46 as multilayer silver halide color light-sensitive materials were prepared according to the following method.

(Preparation of Green-Sensitive Emulsion) In the preparation of the green-sensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, the sensitizing dye GS-
10 minutes before the addition of 1
g-sensitive emulsion Em-G14 was prepared in the same manner as above except that the amount was adjusted to g.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, 10 minutes after the addition of the sensitizing dye GS-1,
A green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G15 was prepared in the same manner except that Z-1 was added at 20 mg per mol of silver.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, 10 minutes before the addition of the sensitizing dye GS-1,
A green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G16 was prepared in the same manner except that Z-2 was added in an amount of 30 mg per mol of silver.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, 10 minutes after the addition of the sensitizing dye GS-1,
A green photosensitive emulsion Em-G17 was prepared in the same manner except that Z-2 was added in an amount of 30 mg per mol of silver.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, 10 minutes before the addition of the sensitizing dye GS-1,
A green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G18 was prepared in the same manner except that Z-3 was added in an amount of 15 mg per mol of silver.

In the preparation of the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 described in Example 2, 10 minutes after the addition of the sensitizing dye GS-1,
A green light-sensitive emulsion Em-G19 was prepared in the same manner except that Z-3 was added in an amount of 15 mg per mol of silver.

[0208]

Embedded image

(Multilayer Silver Halide Color Photosensitive Material Sample 4
Preparation of Samples Nos. 1-46) In the sample 11 of Example 2, the green photosensitive emulsion Em-G1 of the seventh layer was replaced with the above-prepared Em.
Samples 41 to 46 were prepared in the same manner except that -G14 to Em-G19 were used.

[0210] Samples 41 to 46 produced above and Example 2
After subjecting the sample 11 prepared in 1 to exposure and development in the same manner as in Example 2, the dot gain difference of the magenta halftone dot image was evaluated. The obtained results are shown in Table 5.

[0211]

[Table 5]

As is evident from the results in Table 5, the samples 41, 43, and 45, which correspond to claim 4 of the present invention, show that the dot gain fluctuation of the magenta halftone dot image does not change even when stored for a long time at a high temperature. It was found that a small and stable image could be obtained.

Example 6 Samples 51 to 55 were prepared in the same manner as in Sample 11 described in Example 2, except that the amount of each additive in the seventh magenta image forming layer was changed to the content shown in Table 6. Produced.

[0214]

[Table 6]

In Table 6, O / G means the mass ratio of the total amount of the oil-soluble compounds (M-1, Y-1, HQ-1, SO-1) to gelatin.

Samples 51 to 55 and Example 2 fabricated as described above
After subjecting the sample 11 prepared in 1 to exposure and development in the same manner as in Example 2, the dot gain difference of the magenta halftone dot image was evaluated, and the results are shown in Table 7.

[0219]

[Table 7]

As is clear from the results shown in Table 7, the samples 53, 54 and 55, which correspond to the fifth aspect of the present invention, show that the dot gain fluctuation of the magenta halftone dot image does not change even when stored for a long time at a high temperature. It was found that a small and stable image could be obtained.

As described above, the effect of the present invention has been verified by taking the seventh magenta image forming layer as an example, but the fifth cyan image forming layer and the third yellow image forming layer also have the same effect.
As a result of performing evaluations in the same manner as in the above example, the same effect was confirmed.

[0220]

According to the present invention, in a method of forming an image by laser exposure and scanning exposure using a light emitting diode, a color image forming method in which the deterioration of an image during long-term storage of a silver halide light-sensitive material is small, and in particular, the dot gain fluctuation is small. Was able to provide.

Further, in the color plate making and printing steps, a method for obtaining a color image by performing scanning exposure on a silver halide photosensitive material from halftone image information obtained by converting color separation and halftone image, Thus, it was possible to provide a color image forming method for calibration in which the deterioration of the image during storage for a long period of time was small, and especially the dot gain fluctuation was small.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an exposure apparatus according to an image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a laser light source unit showing an example of a light source unit according to the image forming method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the image forming method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 light source unit composed of laser light source and / or light emitting diode light source 2 light source unit composed of laser light source and / or light emitting diode light source 3 light source unit composed of laser light source and / or light emitting diode light source 4 optical unit 5 rotating drum 6 silver halide photosensitive Material 21 Laser oscillator light source or light emitting diode light source 22 Laser oscillator light source or light emitting diode light source 23 Laser oscillator light source or light emitting diode light source 24 Laser light source unit 25, 26 Optical unit 27 Rotating drum 31 Silver halide photosensitive material 32 Rotating drum

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03C 5/08 G03C 5/08 7/00 540 7/00 540 7/388 7/388 7/392 7 / 392 B A

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for exposing a silver halide photosensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color sensitized with a sensitizing dye on the basis of digitized dot image information. A color image forming method for forming a halftone dot area gradation image, wherein the sensitizing dye is added in the form of solid fine particles when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with the sensitizing dye. Image forming method. 2. A method for exposing a silver halide photosensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color sensitized with a sensitizing dye on the basis of digitized halftone image information. In a color image forming method for forming a halftone dot area gradation image, when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye, the sensitizing dye is added at a temperature of the silver halide emulsion of 45 ° C. or lower. A color image forming method, comprising: 3. A method for exposing a silver halide photosensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color sensitized with a sensitizing dye on the basis of digitized halftone image information. A color image forming method for forming a halftone dot area gradation image, wherein the silver halide emulsion-containing layer sensitized with a sensitizing dye has a maximum absorption wavelength of 5% with the sensitizing dye.
A color image forming method comprising adding another sensitizing dye differing by 0 nm or more. 4. A method for exposing a silver halide photosensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color sensitized with a sensitizing dye on the basis of digitized dot image information. In a color image forming method for forming a halftone dot area gradation image, when the silver halide emulsion is color-sensitized with a sensitizing dye, it is represented by the following general formula [S] before adding the sensitizing dye. A method for forming a color image, comprising adding a compound. Embedded image [In the formula, Q represents a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring,
M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or a group of atoms necessary for forming a monovalent cation. ] 5. A method for exposing a silver halide light-sensitive material having a silver halide emulsion layer containing a silver halide emulsion color sensitized with a sensitizing dye on the basis of digitized dot image information. In a color image forming method for forming a halftone dot area gradation image, at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers has a mass ratio O of the total amount of the oil-soluble compound (O) to the total amount of the gelatin (G). / G is 0.5 or less.