Silver halide photographic light sensitive material

Abstract

 A silver halide photographic light sensitive material is disclosed, comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, wherein 50% or more by volume of total silver halide grains contained in said silver halide emulsion layer is accounted for by tabular grains having an average grain diameter of 0.75 µm or less, an average aspect ratio of 5 or less and an average tabularity of 25 to 35, said tabular grains comprising a (111) face and a (100) face and having a ratio of the (111) face to the (100) face of 8 or less on the average.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a silver halide photographic light sensitive material, particularly to a silver halide photographic light sensitive material with high sensitivity and improved in residual color at the time when rapidly processed and an X-ray photographic image forming method by use thereof.

Background of the Invention

[0002] With recent increase in consumption of silver halide photographic light sensitive materials, the processing amount thereof is increasing, leading to demands for still shorter processing times.

[0003] In the field of medical X-ray photographic light sensitive material, rapid processing is demanded due to the increase of radiographs due to the increase in frequency of diagnoses and radiograph items necessary for such diagnoses, and also due to the desire for showing the results of the diagnoses promptly. Specifically, in fields where short processing time is required, such as arteriography and radiographing during surgical operations, rapid processing is essential.

[0004] To satisfy such demands in the medical field, it is necessary to promote automation and enhancing the speed of radiography and processing operation of the photographic light sensitive materials.

[0005] Recently, to meet more stringent environmental regulations, a low replenishment has been advanced in an effect to reduce effluent from processing tanks.

[0006] However, when processing at high speed and low replenishment rate, processing variations and deterioration in image quality result.

[0007] To meet the demand for rapid processing, a tabular silver halide grains has been employed. Since the specific surface area of the tabular silver halide grains is relatively large, sensitizing dye can be adsorbed onto the grains in a large amount, enabling spectral sensitivity to be enhanced. In addition, cross-over light is decreased and light-scattering is small, so that an image with higher resolution can be more easily attained.

[0008] The use of the tabular grains was expected to result in a silver halide photographic light sensitive material with high sensitivity and image quality. The rapid processing has resulted in frequent occurrence of residual color staining, particularly when a large amount of the spectral sensitizing dye is adsorbed onto the tabular grains. This tendency is so marked that a desire for a silver halide photographic light sensitive material with negligible residual color staining, even when rapid-processed and, by the use thereof, a method for forming an X-ray photographic image can be realized.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the prior arts above-described and to provide a silver halide photographic light sensitive material with high sensitivity and improved in residual color at the time when rapidly processed and an X-ray photographic image forming method by use thereof.

[0010] The present invention is accomplished by the following.

(1) A silver halide photographic light sensitive material comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, characterized in that 50% or more by volume of total silver halide grains contained in said silver halide emulsion layer is accounted for by tabular grains having an average grain diameter of 0.75 µm or less, an average aspect ratio of 5 or less, an average tabularity of 25 to 35 and a ratio of (111) face/(100) face of 8 or less.

(2) A silver halide photographic light sensitive material comprising a support having on both sides thereof silver halide emulsion layers, characterized in that 50% or more by volume of total silver halide grains contained in each of said silver halide emulsion layers is accounted for by tabular grains having an average grain diameter of 0.75 µm or less, an average aspect ratio of 5 or less, an average tabularity of 25 to 35 and a ratio of (111) face/(100) face of 8 or less.

(3) A method for forming an X-ray photographic image, characterized in that the silver halide photographic light sensitive material, as described in claims 1 and 2, laminated with fluorescent screens is exposed imagewise to X-ray and processed within a total processing time of 40 sec. or less using an automatic processor.

Detailed Explanation of the Invention

[0011] A silver halide grains are generally prepared in the form of a silver halide emulsion containing the grains.

[0012] In a silver halide emulsion used in the invention, at least 50% of the volume of total grains contained in the emulsion comprise tabular grains having an average aspect ratio of not more than 5, an average tabularity of not less than 25 and a ratio of (111) face/(100) face of not more than 8. Preferably, at least 50% of the volume of total grains contained in the emulsion comprise tabular grains having an average aspect ratio of not less than 2 and not more than 4, and an average tabularity of 25 to 35. The ratio of (111) face/ (100) face is preferably 1.5 to 4.

[0013] The aspect ratio refers to a ratio of a grain diameter to a grain thickness. Here, the grain thickness is the distance between two parallel outer surfaces which are substantially parallel to twin plane(s). Thus, the aspect ration is defined as (grain diameter/grain thickness), in which the grain diameter refers to a diameter of a circle equivalent to the projected area of the grain projected in the direction perpendicular to the grain surface.

[0014] The tabularity refers to a value defined as (circular equivalent diameter)/(grain thickness)².

[0015] The grain diameter can be determined by measuring the grain diameter or area of electron micrograph of the grains. The grain thickness can be determined in a similar manner thereto.

[0016] As a method for determining the crystal structure of silver halide has been known X-ray diffractometry, and various characteristic X-rays are usable as an X-ray source, among which Cu K α line is broadly used. The crystal structure of silver halide grains can be determined by the X-ray diffraction.

[0017] Silver halide such as silver iodobromide has a rock salt structure and (420) diffraction line with Cu K α line is observed at a angle (2 θ) of 71 to 74°. The signal with a relatively high intensity and high angle is high in resolution suitable for determining the crystal structure.

[0018] X-ray diffraction of a silver halide emulsion is measured by a powder method, in which gelatin is previously removed and the resulting silver halide grains are mixed with a standard sample such as silicon.

[0019] The measuring method thereof is referred to "X-ray analysis" in Kiso Bunseki-Kagaku Koza 24 (Fundamental Analytical Chemistry Series Vol. 24) published by Kyoritsu Shuppan.

[0020] Silver halide grains relating to the invention comprise (111) and (100) crystal faces. The ratio of (111) face to (100) face, that is, (111)/(100) thereof is not less than 8, preferably 1.5 to 4.

[0021] The ratio of (111) face to (100) face can be determined by comparing signal intensities (200), (222) and (220) faces of silver halide grains arranged on a flat sample table with those of a powder sample.

[0022] Tabular grain having the ratio of (111) face/ (100) face relation to the invention can be prepared by various methods. It is preferable to cause silver halide grains to grow in the presence of a compound capable of adsorbing to a specific face of seed crystals having (111) and (100) faces. The seed crystals can be prepared according to various methods. Nucleus grains are formed preferably at a temperature of 5 to 40°C, a pAg of 8 to 10 and a gelatin concentration of 0.05 to 2.5% by weight. It is preferable that the nucleus grains formed are subjected to Ostwald ripening, which is conducted preferably with the use of a silver halide solvent as described in JP-A 3-264949 or at a higher temperature of 40 to 70°C.

[0023] As the compound capable of adsorbing to the seed crystals is usable a compound known generally in the art. Using a sensitizing dye, antifoggant or stabilizer used as photographic additives, for example, the crystal habit can be desirably controlled. It is preferable to use a surfactant of polyalkyleneoxide block copolymer, as disclosed in EP-513723. It is effective to control the pAg and pH at the time during the grain growth.

[0024] The halide composition of silver halide used in the invention is optional. Silver halide may be comprised of silver bromide, silver iodobromide, silver iodochlorobromide, silver chlorobromide or silver chloride. Among these are preferable silver iodobromide or silver iodochlorobromide containing 30 mol% or less iodide. Silver iodobromide containing 0.5 to 3 mol% iodide is more preferable.

[0025] With regard to halide distribution within the grain, a halide composition may be uniform or different between internal and external portions of the grain, or may be comprised of a layered structure (core/shell structure).

[0026] The silver halide emulsion of the invention can be prepared by conventional methods, including acidic, neutral and ammoniacal methods. As a method of reacting a water-soluble silver salt with a water-soluble halide is preferable a double- jet method (simultaneously mixing method). A controlled double-jet method may be applicable, in which the pAg in a solution for forming silver halide grains is controlled at a given value. According to this method, there can be prepared a silver halide emulsion grains having a regular crystal form and uniform grain size.

[0027] With regard to a flowing rate, it is referred to JP-A 54-48521 and 58-49938.

[0028] The silver halide emulsion usable in the invention may be prepared by supplying silver iodide fine grains during the course of forming grains.

[0029] A supplying rate of iodide ions depends on the fine grain size so that the grain size is variable with the size or halide composition of host grains. The fine grain size in an average sphere-equivalent diameter is 0.3 µm or less, preferably 0.1 µm or less. For the fine grains to deposit on the host grains through recrystalization, the fine grain size is preferably smaller than the average sphere-equivalent diameter of the host grains, more preferably one tenth or less of the average sphere-equivalent diameter of the fine grains. With respect to the halide composition of the fine grains, the fine grains contain 95 mol% or more iodide and preferably, they are silver iodide.

[0030] The silver halide emulsion used in the invention may be subjected to washing such as noodle washing or flocculation washing so as to remove soluble salts and adjust the pAg to a value suitable for chemical sensitization. As preferred washing methods are cited a technique of using an aromatic hydrocarbon type aldehyde resin having a sulfo group, as described in Japanese Patent examined 35-16086 and a desalting method of using a polymer flocculant such as G-3 and G-8 exemplified in JP-A 2-7037.

[0031] In the silver halide emulsion, various hydrophilic colloids are usable as a binder for enveloping silver halide grains. For the purpose thereof are used photographic binders such as gelatin, synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyacryl amide, colloidal albumen, polysaccharides and cellulose derivatives.

[0032] Chemical sensitization is conducted through sulfur sensitization, reduction sensitization, noble metal sensitization or a combination thereof. As examples of a chemical sensitizing agent are cited a sulfur sensitizer such as allylthiocarbamide, thiourea, thiosulfate, thioether and cystine; noble metal sensitizer such as potassium chloroaurate, aurous thiosulfate and potassium chloroparadate; and reduction sensitizer such as stannous chloride, phenyl hydrazine and reductone.

[0033] The silver halide emulsion used in the invention may be spectrally sensitized by a cyanine dye or other dyes. The spectral sensitizing dye may be used singly or in combination thereof. The combination of the sensitizing dyes is used for the purpose of super-sensitization.

[0034] To the silver halide emulsion used in the invention, various type photographic additives may be added at a time before, during or after a step of physical ripening or chemical ripening.

[0035] As the additives, can be employed compounds as described in Research Disclosure (RD) Nos. 17643, 18716 and 308119, wherein relevant types of compounds and sections thereof are follows.

Additive	RD-17643		RD-18716	RD-308119
	Page	Sec.	Page	Page	Sec.
Chemical sensitizer	23	III	648 (right)	996	III
Sensitizing dye	23	IV	648-649	996-8	IVA
Desensitizing dye	23	V		998	IVB
Dyestuff	25-26	VIII	649-650	1003	VIII
Developing accelerator	29	XXI	648 (right)
Antifoggant/stabilizer	24	IV	649 (right)	1006-7	VI
Brightening agent	24	V		998	V
Surfactant	26-27	XI	650 (right)	1005-6	XI
Antistatic agent	27	XII	650 (right)	1006-7	XIII
Plasticizer	27	XII	650 (right)	1006	XII
Slipping agent	27	XII
Matting agent	28	XVI	650 (right)	1008-9	XVI
Binder	26	XXII		100-4	XXII
Support	28	XVII		1009	XVII

[0036] As supports used in the photographic material of the invention is cited polyethylene terephthalate film. The surface of the support may be sub-coated or exposed to corona discharge or UV-ray. On one side or both sides of the thus treated support is coated the silver halide emulsion relating to the invention.

[0037] The silver halide photographic light sensitive material of the invention may be optionally provided with an antihalation layer, interlayer or filter layer.

[0038] In the silver halide photographic light sensitive material, a silver halide emulsion layer or another hydrophilic colloid layer is coated on the support by various type coating methods. As examples of the coating method are cited dip coating, roller coating, curtain coating, extrusion coating and slide-hopper coating, as described in Research Disclosure (RD) No. 308119 pages 1007-1008.

[0039] The silver halide photographic light sensitive material of the invention may be processed by using processing solutions described in the afore-described RD-17643 XX-XXI pages 29-30 and ibid 308119 XX-XXi pages 1011-1012.

[0040] As a developing agent used in black-and-white photographic processing are usable dihydroxybenzenes such as hydroquinone, 3-pyrazolidones such as 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone and aminophenols such as N-methyl-4-aminophenol, singly or in combination thereof. A developer may further contains optionally a preservative, alkali agent, pH buffer, antifoggant, hardener, development accelerating agent, surfactant, antifoaming agent, color improver, water-softening agent, dissolving aid or viscosity increasing agent.

[0041] In a fixer is contained a fixing agent such a thiosulfate or thiocyanate. The fixer may further contain a water-soluble aluminum salt, as a hardener, such as aluminum sulfate or potassium alum. Furthermore, a preservative, pH-adjusting agent or water-softening agent.

[0042] In the present invention, the rapid processability means that, when processed within a total processing time (dry to dry) of 40 sec. or less, high sensitivity and improvement in residual color are achieved.

[0043] In the invention, a developing time refers to a period of time from the time when the top of a photographic light sensitive material is dipped into a developing tank solution of an automatic processor to the time when dipped into a fixing tank solution, a fixing time refers to a period of time from the time when dipped into the fixing tank solution to the time when dipped into a washing (stabilizing) tank solution and a washing time refers to a period of time when being dipped into the washing tank solution. A drying time refers to a period of time when being kept in a drying zone provided in the processor in which hot-air of 35 to 100°C, preferably 40 to 80°C is blown. In the processing relating to the invention, the developing time is within a range of 3 to 15 sec., preferably 3 to 10 sec. The developing temperature is preferably from 25 to 50°C, more preferably 30 to 40°C. The fixing temperature and time are preferably from 20 to 50°C and from 2 to 12 sec., more preferably 30 to 40°C and 2 to 10 sec., respectively. The washing (or stabilizing) temperature and time preferably from 0 to 50°C and from 2 to 15 sec., more preferably 15 to 40°C and 2 to 8 sec., respectively.

[0044] In the invention, a photographic material which has been developed, fixed and washed (or stabilized) is passed through squeegee rollers to squeeze water and then dried. The drying is conducted at a temperature of 40 to 100°C. The drying time is optionally variable with a temperature of environment, preferably 3 to 12 sec and more preferably 3 to 8 sec. at a temperature of 40 to 80°C.

[0045] It is preferred to use a far infrared heater as heat source.

[0046] In the invention, the photographic material can be developed over a period of 10 sec. or less at a developer- replenishing rate of 200 ml or less per m² of the photographic material.

[0047] Various techniques used in the photographic art can be applied to embodiments of the present invention.

Examples

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed, however, the invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1

Preparation of silver iodide fine grain emulsion

[0049] 

Solution A
Ossein gelatin	100 g
KI	8.5 g
Distilled water to make	2000 l

Solution B
AgNO3	360 g
Distilled water to make	605 ml

Solution C
KI	352 g
Distilled water to make	605 ml

[0050] Solution A was added to a reaction vessel and Solution B and C were simultaneously added thereto at a constant rate over a period of 30 min. while being stirred and kept at 40°C. During the addition, the pAg was kept at 13.5 by conventional pAg control means. The resulting emulsion was proved to comprised of silver iodide grains having an average size of 0.06 µm and comprising β-AgI and γ-AgI. This emulsion was referred to as silver iodide fine grain emulsion.

Preparation of hexagonal tabular seed grain emulsion

[0051] A seed grain emulsion Em-A was prepared, which was comprised of hexagonal tabular grains having an average iodide content of 2.0 mol%.

Solution A
Ossein gelatin	60.2 g
Distilled water	20.0 l
Compound A {HO-(CH2CH2O)n-[CH(CH3)CH2O]17-(CH2CH20)mH n+m=5 to 7, 10% methanol solution}	5.6 ml
KBr	26.8 g
10% H2SO4	144 ml

Solution B
AgNO3	1487.5 g
Distilled water to make	3500 ml

Solution C
KBr	1029 g
KI	29.3 g
Distilled water to make	3500 ml

Solution D
1.75N KBr aqueous solution for control of pAg

[0052] Using a stirring mixer disclosed in Japanese Patent examined No. 58-58288, 64.1 ml of each solutions B and C were simultaneously added to solution A over a period of 2 min. to form nucleus grains.

[0053] After the addition, solution A was heated to 60°C taking 60 min. and then solution B and C were simultaneously added at a flowing rate of 68.5 ml/min. over a period of 50 min.

[0054] During the addition, the silver potential, which was measured by a silver ion-selection electrode with the use of a saturated silver-silver chloride reference electrode, was maintained at +6 mV by using solution D. After the addition, the pH was adjusted to 6 by using 3% KOH agueous solution and the emulsion was subjected to desalting to obtain a seed grain emulsion Em-A. It was shown by electronmicrograph that the seed emulsion Em-A comprised hexagonal tabular grains having an adjacent edge ratio of 1.0 to 2.0, which accounted for 90% or more of the total projected area of silver halide grains and have an average thickness of 0.07 µm and average diameter (circle-equivalent diameter) of 0.5 µm.

Preparation of tabular grain emulsion

[0055] Using the following solutions was prepared silver iodobromide tabular grain emulsion (Em-1) having an average iodide content of 1.3 mol%.

Solution A
Ossein gelatin	29.4 g
Compound A {HO-(CH2CH2O)n-[CH(CH3)CH2O]17-(CH2CH20)mH n+m=5 to 7, 10% methanol solution}	1.25 ml
Seed emulsion Em-A	2.65 mol equiv.
Distilled water to make	3000 ml

Solution B
3.5N AgNO3 aqueous solution	1760 ml

Solution C
Kbr	730 g
Distilled water to make	1760 ml

Solution D
Silver iodide fine grain emulsion	0.06 mol equiv.

Solution E
1.75N KBr aqueous solution for control of pAg

[0056] Using a stirring mixer disclosed in Japanese Patent examined No. 58-58288, 658 ml of each solution B and C, and a total amount of solution D were added to solution A by triple jet method at an accelerated flow rate of two time from start to finish over a period of 40 min. to form a first cover layer of the grain.

[0057] Thereafter, remaining amounts of solutions B and C were added by double jet method at an accelerated rate of 1.5 time from start to finish over a period of 70 min. to form a second cover layer of the grain.

[0058] During the addition, the silver potential was maintained at +40 mV by using solution D.

[0059] After completing the addition, the emulsion was subjected to flocculation desalting to remove soluble salts by using an aqueous solution of Demol N (produced by Kao-Atlas) and magnesium sulfate aqueous solution; and an aqueous solution of ossein gelatin of 92.2 g was added thereto to make 2500 ml.

[0060] As a result of the electronmicroscopic observation of ca. 1000 grains of Em-1, it was shown that the resulting emulsion was comprised of tabular grains having an average circle-equivalent diameter of 0.59 µm and average grain thickness of 0.17 µm. It was proved that an average aspect ratio, average tabularity and (111) face/ (100) face ratio were 3.5, 20 and 2.7, respectively.

Preparation of tabular grain emulsions Em-2 to 10

[0061] Emulsions Em-2 to 10 were prepared in the same manner as Em-1, except that amounts of compound A contained in solution and seed emulsion Em-A, and the silver potential during the grain growth was varied as shown in Table 1. There are shown in Tables 1 and 2 observed results with respect to the grain form.

Table 1

Emulsion No.	Compound A(ml)	Em-A (mol equiv)	Ag potential (mV)	Grain size (µm)	Grain thickness (µm)	Variation coefficient
Em-1	1.25	2.65	40	0.59	0.17	24
Em-2	0.25	2.65	40	0.62	0.15	25
Em-3	0.25	2.65	25	0.72	0.12	25
Em-4	1.50	2.65	40	0.62	0.15	24
Em-5	1.25	3.14	40	0.56	0.16	24
Em-6	1.25	3.14	25	0.58	0.15	24
Em-7	0.25	3.14	40	0.58	0.15	24
Em-8	0.25	3.14	25	0.67	0.11	23
Em-9	1.25	1.93	40	0.72	0.15	22
Em-10	1.25	1.45	40	0.80	0.17	22

Table 2

Emulsion No.	Aspect ratio	Tabularity	(111)/(100) ratio	Remarks
Em-1	3.5	20	2.7	Comp.
Em-2	4.1	28	10.9	Comp.
Em-3	6.0	50	8.3	Comp.
Em-4	4.1	28	7.5	Inv.
Em-5	3.5	22	2.7	Comp.
Em-6	3.9	26	3.0	Inv.
Em-7	3.9	26	5.0	Inv.
Em-8	6.1	55	12.0	Comp.
Em-9	4.8	32	3.0	Inv.
Em-10	4.7	28	3.0	Comp.

[0062] The emulsions thus obtained were heated to 50°C and, after add thereto sensitizing dyes (A) and (B) respectively in an amount of 300 and 15 mg per mol of silver halide, the emulsions each were chemical-ripened by adding ammonium thiocyanate (7.0x10^-4 mol/mol Ag), chloroauric acid and sodium thiosulfate. During the chemical ripening, silver iodide fine grain emulsion of 3x10^-3 mol/mol Ag was added and after completing the chemical ripening, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetrazaindene (TAI) of 3x10^-2 mol was added to stabilize the emulsion.

Sensitizing dye (A):
5.5'-Dichloro-9-ethyl-3,3'-di-(3-sulfopropyl)oxacarbocyanine sodium salt

Sensitizing dye (B):
5,5'-Di-(butoxycarbonyl)-1,1'-diethyl-3,3'-di-(4-sulfobutyl)benzoylimidazolocarbocyanine sodium salt anhydride

Preparation of samples

[0063] The each emulsion was added the following additives to prepare a emulsion coating solution. The addition amount thereof is referred to as per mol of silver halide.

[0064] Additives used for a protective layer were as follows. The addition amount was referred to as per g of gelatin

[0065] The coating solutions each were coated on both side of subbed, blue-colored polyethylene terephthalate film base with a thickness of 175 µm and dried to prepare samples 1 to 8. Coating amounts of silver and gelatin were respectively adjusted so as to be 2.0 and 2.5 g per m² of one side of the sample material.

Sensitometry evaluation

[0066] Thus prepared samples each were laminated with intensifying screens for use in X-ray photography (XG-S produced by Konica) and exposed to X-ray through Penetrometer type B, and were processed at a developing temperature of 35°C in total processing time of 45 sec., using an automatic processor SRX-503 and processing solutions SR-DF (both produced by Konica).

[0067] The sensitivity was shown as a relative value of a reciprocal of an exposure amount necessary for giving a density of a minimum density plus 1.0, based on the sensitivity of sample 1 being 100.

Evaluation of residual color

[0068] Unexposed samples were processed in the same manner as above-described and the residual color was visually evaluated, based on the following criteria.

5:

No residual color, excellent

4:

Slight residual color, good

3:

A little residual color, practically usable

2:

A little more residual color, limit of practical use

1:

Remarkable residual color, out of practical use

[0069] Results obtained are summarized in Table 3.

Example 2

[0070] The samples were evaluated with respect to the sensitometry and residual color in the same manner as in Example 1, provided that, modifying processor SRX-503 so as to become the following processing time, samples were processed. Developer and fixer replenishing rates were respectively 125 ml/m². Results obtained are shown in Table 3.

Developing time: 8 sec.

Fixing time: 6.3 sec.

Washing time: 3.4 sec.

After washing and before drying (squeezee): 2 sec.

Drying time: 5.3 sec.

Total processing time: 25 sec.

Table 3

Sample No.	Emulsion No.	Example 1		Example 2		Remarks
		Sensitivity	Residual color	Sensitivity	Residual color
1	Em-1	100	3	85	2	Comp.
2	Em-2	98	2	80	1	Comp.
3	Em-3	98	2	84	2	Comp.
4	Em-4	105	5	104	4	Inv.
5	Em-5	100	2	81	1	Comp.
6	Em-6	102	5	101	5	Inv.
7	Em-7	103	5	101	4	Inv.
8	Em-8	99	2	75	1	Comp.
9	Em-9	104	4	100	3	Inv.
10	Em-10	99	3	88	2	Comp.

[0071] As can be seen from Table 3, inventive samples 4, 6 and 7 led to superior results in sensitivity and residual color when rapidly processed as compared to comparative samples 1-3, 5 and 8.

Claims

1. A silver halide photographic light sensitive material comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer, wherein 50% or more by volume of total silver halide grains contained in said silver halide emulsion layer is accounted for by tabular grains having an average grain diameter of 0.75 µm or less, an average aspect ratio of 5 or less and an average tabularity of 25 to 35, said tabular grains comprising a (111) face and a (100) face and having a ratio of the (111) face to the (100) face of 8 or less on the average.

2. The silver halide photographic material of claim 1, wherein said tabular grains have an average grain diameter of 0.3 to 0.65 µm.

3. The silver halide photographic material of claim 1 or 2 wherein said tabular grains have an average tabularity of 25 to 30.

4. The silver halide photographic material of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said tabular grains comprise silver iodobromide or silver iodochlorobromide.

5. A silver halide photographic light sensitive material comprising a transparent support having on both sides thereof a silver halide emulsion layer, wherein 50% or more by volume of total silver halide grains contained in said silver halide emulsion layer is accounted for by tabular grains having an average grain diameter of 0.75 µm or less, an average aspect ratio of 5 or less and an average tabularity of 25 to 35, said tabular grains comprising a (111) face and a (100) face and having a ratio of the (111) face to the (100) face of 8 or less on the average.