title: A silver-free, single-sheet imaging medium based on acid amplification.
abstract: We describe a photographic medium that uses acid-amplified imaging (AAI) rather than silver halide development to amplify a latent image. The latent image is captured when small amounts of superacid are generated by the photolysis of iodonium salts sensitized by cationic dyes. During thermal processing, the quantity of acid is multiplied in a process catalyzed by strong acid, resulting in a much larger amount of a weaker acid. Acid-sensitive indicator dyes that diffuse into regions where acid has been produced form a colored image. The AAI system is not sufficiently sensitive for direct use in cameras but is suitable for many printing applications.
authors.affiliation: Instant Digital Printing, Polaroid Corporation, 1265 Main Street, Building W4, Waltham, MA 02451, USA. marshaj@polaroid.com
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Telfer
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Lindholm
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Minns
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Takiff