Combination of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel combination of a silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens, and the invention also relates to a silver halide photographic material employable for the combination. Particularly, the present invention relates to a novel combination of a silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens showing excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality.

Description of prior art

[0002] In medical radiography, a radiographic image of the organ of patient is obtained by recording a pattern of X-rays having passed through the patient on a photographic material (silver halide photographic material) in which at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer is provided on a transparent support by coating. Although the pattern of X-rays having passed through the patient can be obtained using a silver halide photographic material alone, a radiographic intensifying screen is usually employed in combination with the photographic material so as to avoid exposure of the objective human body to a large dose of X-rays. In a radiographic intensifying screen, provided on a support is a phosphor layer which absorbs X-rays and then converts them into the visible light to which the photographic material is sensitive. Therefore, the sensitivity of the system for X-ray photography can be remarkably improved by the use of a radiographic intensifying screen.

[0003] As a method for further enhancing the sensitivity of the system for X-ray photography, proposed was the method in which a photographic material having photographic emulsion layers provided on both sides, namely, a silver halide photographic material having silver halide photosensitive layers provided on both of the front and the back sides of the support, is used, and radiographic intensifying screens (which are sometimes referred to as "intensifying screens") are placed on both sides of said material to obtain an X-ray photography in this arrangement. At present, this method is generally used in most cases. This method has been proposed in view of the fact that sufficient amount of X-rays is not absorbed by the use of only one radiographic intensifying screen. In fact, even if content of the phosphor in one intensifying screen is increased in order to increase absorption of X-rays, the photographic material placed in contact with said intensifying screen receives very diffuse visible light emitted by said screen because the visible light converted within the phosphor layer is scattered and reflected in the phosphor layer having an increased thickness which is caused by the increase of the phosphor. In addition to that, the visible light converted within the deep area of the thick phosphor layer hardly comes out of the phosphor layer. Therefore immoderate increase of the phosphor content does not further increase the effective visible light emitted by the intensifying screen.

[0004] By the X-ray photographic system (i.e., radiography) using two intensifying screens each of which has a phosphor layer of adequate thickness, the total absorption of X-rays can be increased and the visible light converted in the intensifying screen can be efficiently used.

[0005] Commercially available are a variety of radiographic intensifying screens having different sensitivities in a wide range; for example, from the type of low sensitivity such as a screen that emits weak luminescence and gives an image of high sharpness (such screen has a relatively thin phosphor layer) to the type of high sensitivity such as a screen that emits high luminescence and gives an image of low sharpness (such screen has a relatively thick phosphor layer).

[0006] However, although various types of silver halide photographic materials having photographic emulsion layers provided on both sides are commercially available, their sensitivities vary within a narrow range. In fact, the sensitivities of the most photographic materials are only twice or three times as much as that of the least one (sensitivity of the lowest sensitive material is used as standard).

[0007] Employable combinations of silver halide photographic materials and intensifying screens used for radiography are not particularly restricted. However, when highly sensitive radiography is required (for example, in the case of radiography for lumbar vertebra, angiography for head or enlargement radiography), a combination of an intensifying screens of high emission and a silver halide photographic material of standard type or of high sensitivity is generally employed. In contrast, when high image quality is needed (for example, in the case of simple radiography of chest, gastric radiography using contrast medium, or radiography of bones), a combination of intensifying screens providing high sharpness and a silver halide photographic material of standard type is generally employed. While a combination of intensifying screens of high sensitivity and a silver halide photographic material gives an image of low sharpness (namely, low image quality), a combination of intensifying screens providing high image quality and a photographic material shows low sensitivity.

[0008] Previously, in order to establish an X-ray photographic system having excellent characteristics in balance between sensitivity and image quality, various studies have been continuously made. For instance, although a combination of intensifying screens having phosphor layers of calcium tungstate (which emits blue luminescence) and a silver halide photographic material which is not spectral sensitized (e.g., a combination of HIGH SCREEN STANDARD and RX [each of which is a trade name of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.]) has been formerly used, a combination of intensifying screens having phosphor layers of terbium activated rare earth oxysulfide phosphor (which emits green luminescence) and a silver halide photographic material which is orthochromatically spectral sensitized (e.g., a combination of GREENEX 4 and RXO [each of which is a trade name of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.]) has been recently used. The latter combination gives an image improved in both sensitivity and image quality.

[0009] A silver halide photographic material having photographic emulsion layers provided on both sides has a defect that the image quality is likely deteriorated by "cross-over light". The word "cross-over light" means the visible light which is emitted by each intensifying screen placed on each side of the photographic material and then passes through the support of the photographic material (thickness of the generally used support is 170-180 µm) and finally reaches the photosensitive layer provided on the opposite side to deteriorate the image quality (particularly, in sharpness).

[0010] In order to reduce the cross-over light, various methods have been proposed. For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,425,425 and 4,425,426 disclose inventions in which a spectral sensitized emulsion including tabular silver halide grains having a high aspect ratio is used as a silver halide photographic emulsion. According to these patented inventions, the cross-over light can be reduced to 15-22 % level. Besides that, U.S. Patent No. 4,803,150 discloses an invention in which a dye layer comprising fine crystalline dye particles and being decolorizable by the developing process is provided between the support and the photosensitive layers in the silver halide photographic material. It is described that cross-over light can be reduced to 10 % level or less by the invention.

[0011] On the other hand, various attempts to provide an X-ray photographic system showing excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality have been made by setting a combination of intensifying screens and a silver halide photographic material (which has photographic emulsion layers on both sides) under particular conditions. For example, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 2(1990)-266344 and 2(1990)-297544 and U.S. Patent No. 4,803,150 disclose an X-ray photographic system: in which the light property (sensitivity) of the front side combination (consisting of an intensifying screen placed on the side to be exposed [i.e., front screen] and a photosensitive layer [i.e., front photosensitive layer]) is made to differ from that of the back combination (consisting of an intensifying screen placed on the opposite side [i.e., back screen] and a photosensitive layer [i.e., back photosensitive layer]), and the contrast given by the former combination is made to differ from that given by the latter. In addition to that, Photographic Science and Engineering, vol. 26(1982), No. 1, pp. 40, describes experiments about the combinations of intensifying screens and a silver halide photographic material each of which is available from 3M Co. The experiments show the result that a combination of Trimax 12 (trade name of intensifying screen commercially available from 3M Co.) and XUD (trade name of silver halide photographic material commercially available from 3M Co.) gives better NEQ (signal/noise ratio of output) than the combination of Trimax 4 (trade name of intensifying screen commercially available from 3M Co.) and XD (trade name of silver halide photographic material commercially available from 3M Co.), while the former is at the same level of the latter with respect to sensitivity and sharpness (MTF). It further describes that the above result is caused by the facts that XUD exhibits higher sharpness than XD and that Trimax 12 absorbs more amount of X-rays than Trimax 4.

[0012] As is described above, various methods have been proposed to establish X-ray photographic system showing excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality. However, previously proposed radiographic image forming methods still do not satisfy the sensitivity and the image quality required, for instance, for X-ray photographic system to be used for diagnosis of stomach or chest. Actually, while it is very important to observe veins in lung to the minutest details in diagnosis for chest, satisfactory observation can not be made by the known X-ray photographic systems. Since the known systems often give radiographic images having poor contrast of the vein image, image qualities are deteriorated in respect of grains, or blur. Further, in diagnosis for stomach, diagnostically satisfactory radiographic images in well picturing the gastric wall cannot obtained.

[0013] Needless to say, if other conditions are neglected, a radiographic image of high quality can be obtained by a combination of a silver halide photographic material of low sensitivity and radiographic intensifying screens of low sensitivity. However, if such low-sensitive combination is used, the exposure (dose) of X-rays applied to human body should be naturally increased. Therefore, such combination is not practically applicable, and particularly, in the case of group examination in which it is required to reduce the dose of X-rays to be applied as much as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel X-ray photographic system, that is, a combination of a silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens, which exhibits excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality obtained by the combination.

[0015] Particularly, an object of the invention is to provide a novel combination of a silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens which has practically satisfactory sensitivity and gives radiographic images having practically satisfactory image quality.

[0016] A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel silver halide photographic material advantageously employable for the above novel X-ray photographic system.

[0017] The present invention resides in a combination for forming a radiographic image comprising a silver halide photographic material and two radiographic intensifying screens, one of which is placed on the front of said photographic material and the other of which is on the back;
wherein
1) at least one of said intensifying screens absorbs X-rays of 80 KV_p in an amount of not less than 25 % and shows contrast transfer function values of at least 0.79 and at least 0.36 at spatial frequencies of 1 lp/mm and of 3 lp/mm, respectively; and
2) said photographic material has silver halide photosensitive layers one of which is provided on the front of its support and another of which is on the back; and at least one of said photosensitive layers has such a sensitivity that 0.010-0.035 lux·second of exposure dose is required to obtain an image having a density of 0.5 more than the minimum density thereon, said density being determined by the steps of: exposing the photosensitive layer of the photographic material to monochromatic light of which wavelength is the same as the main emission wavelength of the intensifying screen defined in the above 1) and of which half width is 15±5 nm, developing at 35°C for 25 seconds in the developing solution comprising the following:

potassium hydroxide	21 g
potassium sulfite	63 g
boric acid	10 g
hydroquinone	25 g
triethylene glycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0.2 g
glacial acetic acid	10 g
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone	1.2 g
5-methylbenztriazole	0.05 g
glutaraldehyde	5 g
potassium bromide	4 g
water to adjust the volume to 1 liter, the pH value being adjusted to 10.02,

removing the photosensitive layer on the side reverse to the exposed side and then measuring the density of the remaining photosensitive layer.

[0018] The invention also resides in a combination for forming a radiographic image comprising a silver halide photographic material and two radiographic intensifying screens, one of which is placed on the front of said photographic material and the other of which is on the back;
wherein
1) at least one of said intensifying screens absorbs X-rays of 80 KV_p in an amount of not less than 25 %;
2) said photographic material has silver halide photosensitive layers one of which is provided on the front of its support and another of which is on the back; and at least one of said photosensitive layers has such a sensitivity that 0.010-0.035 lux·second of exposure dose is required to obtain an image having a density of 0.5 more than the minimum density thereon, said density being determined by the steps of: exposing the photosensitive layer of the photographic material to monochromatic light of which wavelength is the same as the main emission wavelength of the intensifying screen defined in the above 1) and of which half width is 15±5 nm, developing at 35°C for 25 seconds in the developing solution comprising the following:

potassium hydroxide	21 g
potassium sulfite	63 g
boric acid	10 g
hydroquinone	25 g
triethylene glycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0.2 g
glacial acetic acid	10 g
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone	1.2 g
5-methylbenztriazole	0.05 g
glutaraldehyde	5 g
potassium bromide	4 g
water to adjust the volume to 1 liter, the pH value being adjusted to 10.02,

removing (peeling off) the photosensitive layer provided on the reverse side of the exposed face and then measuring the density of the remaining photosensitive layer; and
3) not more than 10 % of the light emitted by the intensifying screen placed on the front side of the silver halide photographic material reaches the photosensitive layer on the back of said silver halide photographic material as cross-over light.

[0019] The former combination of the invention (COMBINATION I) comprises an intensifying screen having high sensitivity and showing contrast transfer function (CTF) in the specific range and a photographic material having sensitivity in the specific range. Owing to such a specific combination, the former combination of the invention provides an X-ray photographic system which shows excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality.

[0020] The latter combination of the invention (COMBINATION II) comprises an intensifying screen having high sensitivity and the photographic material having sensitivity in the specific range and prominently decreased cross-over. Owing to such a specific combination, the latter combination of the invention provides an X-ray photographic system which shows excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality.

[0021] In the present invention, the sensitivity of each of the silver halide photographic material and the radiographic intensifying screen of the combination is independently defined.

[0022] If a high sensitive intensifying screen absorbing a large amount of X-rays and a low-sensitive photographic material are employed in combination under the condition that the total sensitivity of the combination only is defined, the obtained radiographic image exhibits poor sharpness while their graininess is excellent. In this case, even if the photographic material is replaced with a low sensitive photographic material showing high sharpness (which can be accomplished by reducing the cross-over), the obtained radiographic image still exhibits unsatisfactory sharpness, which is unfavorably accepted in clinical diagnosis. On the other hand, a radiographic image obtainable by a combination of a low sensitive intensifying screen absorbing a small amount of X-rays and a medium sensitive (i.e., standard) or high sensitive photographic material exhibit poor graininess while their sharpness is excellent.

[0023] According to the study of the inventors, the suitable sensitivity of each of the silver halide photographic material and the radiographic intensifying screens of the combination depends upon various conditions such as the sensitivity level of the combination and the size of the object. The further study, however, has revealed that a radiographic image of high quality can be obtained with high sensitivity using a combination of a photograpic material of a specific sensitivity and a radiographic intensifying screen which exhibits high contrast transfer function (CTF) and of which phosphor contents are increased to enhance the absorption of X-rays, while maintaining the required sharpness. Further, it has been revealed that a radiographic image of high quality is also obtainable with high sensitivity using a combination of a photograpic material having a high sensitivity and a reduced cross-over and a radiographic intensifying screen of which phosphor contents are increased to enhance the absorption of X-rays, while maintaining the required sharpness.

[0024] Preferred sharpness level depends on the size of the object. In clinical evaluation, the values of modulation transfer function (MTF) at spatial frequencies of 0.5 lp/mm to 3 lp/mm are important, and preferred values are not less than 0.65 and not less than 0.22 at 1 lp/mm and 2 lp/mm, respectively. Besides that, the sensitivity of the combination is restricted because a highly sensitive combination does not provide high image quality for diagnosis for chest even if the combination has the best balance. On the contrary, a low-sensitive combination is not preferable on account of increasing the dose of X-rays.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] 

Figure 1 shows the relation between spatial frequency (lp/mm) and contrast transfer function (CTF) with respect to the radiographic intensifying screen applied for the combination of the invention of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens.

Figure 2 shows the characteristic curve of the green filter used in combination with tungsten light source for measuring the sensitivity of silver halide photographic material.

Figure 3 shows the relations between the sensitivity and the image quality of the radiographic image of chest, with respect to the combinations of the invention of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens, and a combination of radiographic intensifying screens and silver halide photographic material generally used for X-ray photography.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0026] The combination of the present invention of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens is very sensitive and gives an image having excellent quality. Therefore, using the combination of the invention, a radiographic image having high recognizability can be obtained without increasing the dose of X-rays to which a human boy is exposed. Consequently, the combination of the invention of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens is very advantageous for improving the precision of medical diagnosis.

[0027] The following is detailed explanation of the radiographic intensifying screen used for the invention.

[0028] The radiographic intensifying screen consists essentially of a support and a phosphor layer provided thereon. The phosphor layer comprises a binder and phosphor particles dispersed therein. Further, a transparent film is generally provided on the free surface (surface which is not in contact with the support) of the phosphor layer to keep the phosphor layer from chemical deterioration and physical shock.

[0029] A preferred phosphor for the radiographic intensifying screen is a phosphor represented by the following formula:

        M_(w-n)M'_nO_wX

in which M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Gd and Lu; M' is at least one rare earth element, preferably one rare earth element being selected from the group consisting of Dy, Er, Eu, Ho, Nd, Pr, Sm, Ce, Tb, Tm and Yb; X is an intermediate chalcogen (i.e., S, Se or Te) or a halogen; "n" is a number satisfying the condition of 0.0002 ≤ n ≤ 0.2; and "w" is 1 when "X" is a halogen, or is 2 when "X" is a chalcogen.

[0030] The concrete examples of phosphor preferably used for the radiographic intensifying screen are given below:

terbium activated rare earth oxysulfide phosphors such as Y₂O₂S:Tb, Gd₂O₂S:Tb, La₂O₂S:Tb, (Y,Gd)₂O₂S:Tb, and (Y,Gd)₂O₂S:Tb,Tm;

terbium activated rare earth oxyhalide phosphors such as LaOBr:Tb, LaOBr:Tb,Tm, LaOCl:Tb, LaOCl:Tb,Tm, GdOBr:Tb, and GdOCl:Tb; and

thulium activated rare earth oxyhalide phosphors such as LaOBr:Tm and LaOCl:Tm.

[0031] A particularly preferred phosphor for the radiographic intensifying screen is the terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor. There are detailed descriptions about terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphors in U.S. Patent No. 3,725,704.

[0032] The phosphor layer comprises a binder and phosphor particles dispersed therein. The phosphor layer is generally provided on a support under an atmospheric pressure utilizing the following coating procedure.

[0033] The phosphor particles and the binder are mixed in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating dispersion. The coating dispersion is directly applied onto a surface of a support for radiographic intensifying screen under an atmospheric pressure using a doctor blade, roll coater, knife coater or the like, and the solvent contained in the coating dispersion is removed to form a phosphor layer. Alternatively, the phosphor layer is placed on the support by the steps of applying the coating dispersion on a false support under an atmospheric pressure to form a phosphor sheet, peeling off the sheet from the false support, and then causing the sheet to adhere to a genuine support.

[0034] Preferably used for the invention is a radiographic intensifying screen in which the phosphor density is increased (that is, void volume of the phosphor layer is lowered) by compressing the phosphor layer containing the below-described thermoplastic elastomer as a binder.

[0035] The sensitivity of the radiographic intensifying screen is essentially determined by the total amount of emission given by the phosphor contained therein, and the total amount of emission varies depending upon not only the emission luminance of the phosphor per se but also the content (i.e., amount) of the phosphor in the phosphor layer. The large content of the phosphor also results in increase of absorption of a radiation such as X-rays, so that the screen shows high sensitivity and provides an image of improved quality, especially in graininess. On the other hand, assuming that the content of the phosphor layer is kept at the same level, an intensifying screen utilizing such a phosphor layer provides an image of high sharpness if the phosphor layer is densely packed with the phosphor, because such phosphor layer can be made thinner to reduce spread of stimulating rays which is caused by scattering within the phosphor layer.

[0036] The above-mentioned radiographic intensifying screen is preferably prepared by a process comprising the steps of:

a) forming a phosphor sheet comprising a phosphor and a binder,

b) placing said phosphor sheet on a support, then compressing and affixing simultaneously said phosphor sheet on said support at a temperature not lower than softening point or melting point of said binder.

[0037] In the first place, Step a) is described below.

[0038] A phosphor sheet for a phosphor layer of the radiographic intensifying screen can be prepared in the process which comprises applying the coating dispersion (i.e., binder solution in which the phosphor particles are uniformly dispersed) onto a false support, drying the coated film and peeling off the film to obtain the phosphor sheet (film).

[0039] Initially, the phosphor particles and the binder are mixed and stirred in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating dispersion comprising the phosphor particles homogeneously dispersed in a binder solution.

[0040] As the binder, a thermoplastic elastomer of which softening point or melting point is in the range of 30-150°C is used alone or in combination with other binder polymers. The destruction of the phosphor particles in a compression treatment can be avoided by the use of the thermoplastic elastomer, because it has elasticity at room temperature and has fluidity when it is heated. Examples for the thermoplastic elastomers include; polystyrene, polyolefin, polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polybutadiene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, natural rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, polyisoprene, chlorinated polyethylene, styrene-butadiene rubber and silicone rubber.

[0041] If the ratio of amount of the thermoplastic elastomer to the total binder is kept within the range of 10-100 wt.%, the effect of the invention can be achieved. However, the binder preferably includes the thermoplastic elastomer as much as possible, and therefore it is most preferred that the binder comprises thermoplastic elastomer in its 100 wt.% content.

[0042] Examples of the solvents employable in the preparation of the dispersion include lower aliphatic alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and n-butanol; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and ethylene chloride; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone; esters of lower aliphatic alcohols with lower aliphatic acids such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate and butyl acetate; ethers such as dioxane, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; and mixtures of the above-mentioned solvents.

[0043] The ratio between the binder and the phosphor in the coating solution may be determined according to the characteristics of the aimed radiographic intensifying screen and the nature of the employed phosphor. Generally, the ratio therebetween is in the range of 1:1 to 1:100 (binder: phosphor, by weight), preferably in the range of 1:8 to 1:40, by weight.

[0044] The coating solution may contain various additives such as a dispersing agent to improve dispersibility of the phosphor particles therein and a plasticiser to increase the bonding between the binder and the phosphor particles in the resulting phosphor layer. Examples of the dispersing agent include phthalic acid, stearic acid, caproic acid and a hydrophobic surface active agent. Examples of the plasticizer include phosphates such as triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate and diphenyl phosphate; phthalates such as diethyl phthalate, and dimethoxyethyl phthalate; glycolates such as ethylphthalyl ethyl glycolate and butylphthalyl butyl glycolate; and polyesters of polyethylene glycols with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as polyester of triethylene glycol with adipic acid and polyester of diethylene glycol with succinic acid.

[0045] The coating dispersion containing the phosphor and the binder prepared as above is applied evenly onto a surface of a support to form a layer of the coating dispersion. The coating procedure can be carried out by a conventional method such as a method using a doctor blade, a roll coater or a knife coater.

[0046] A false support material employable in the invention can be selected from those employed in the conventional radiographic intensifying screens such as glass plate and metal plate. Examples of the support material include plastic films such as films of cellulose acetate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyimide, triacetate and polycarbonate; metal sheets such as aluminum foil and aluminum alloy foil; ordinary papers; baryta paper; resin-coated papers; pigment papers containing titanium dioxide or the like; papers sized with polyvinyl alcohol or the like; and ceramic sheets such as sheets of alumina, zirconia, magnesia and titania.

[0047] The process for preparation of the phosphor sheet comprises the steps of applying the coating dispersion onto a false support, drying the coated film and peeling off the film to obtain the phosphor sheet for the phosphor layer of the radiographic intensifying screen. Therefore, the surface of the false support preferably is beforehand coated with a release agent so that the film may be easily peeled off.

[0048] In the second place, Step b) is described below.

[0049] A support for a radiographic intensifying screen is prepared. The support can be freely selected from the same materials as the material for the false support used in preparation of the phosphor sheet.

[0050] In the preparation of a known radiographic intensifying screen, one or more additional layers are occasionally provided between the support and the phosphor layer, so as to enhance the adhesion between the support and the phosphor layer, or to improve the sensitivity of the screen or the quality of an image (sharpness and graininess) provide thereby. For example, a subbing layer or an adhesive layer may be provided by coating a polymer material such as gelatin over the surface of the support on the phosphor layer side. Otherwise, a light-reflecting layer or a light-absorbing layer may be provided by forming a polymer material layer containing a light-reflecting material such as titanium dioxide or a light-absorbing material such as carbon black. In the invention, one or more of these additional layers may be provided on the support, and the constitution thereof can be optionally selected depending upon the purpose of the radiographic intensifying screen.

[0051] The phosphor sheet prepared in Step a) is placed on a support, and then compressed and affixed simultaneously on the support at a temperature of not lower than softening point or melting point of the binder.

[0052] In this process, the phosphor sheet is not beforehand fixed on a support but simultaneously compressed and affixed on the support. Therefore, the pressure extends throughout the sheet and the destruction of the phosphor particles can be avoided. Moreover, assuming that the pressure applied to the sheet is kept at the same level, the sheet simultaneously compressed and affixed on the support has higher packing ratio of the phosphor than that of the sheet which is beforehand fixed on the support and subjected to compression treatment.

[0053] Examples of the compressing apparatus for the compression treatment include known apparatus such as a calender roll and a hot press. For instance, a compression treatment using a calender roll involves moving the phosphor sheet prepared in Step a) on a support to pass through between two rollers heated at a temperature not lower than softening point or melting point of the thermoplastic elastomer of the binder. The compressing apparatus employable in the invention is not restricted to them. Any other apparatuses can be employed so long as they can compress a sheet such as the above-stated one under heating.

[0054] The pressure for compression preferably is not less than 50 kgw/cm².

[0055] A radiographic intensifying screen generally has a transparent film on the free surface of the phosphor layer to physically and chemically protect the phosphor layer. In the intensifying screen of the present invention, it is preferred to provide a transparent film for the same purpose.

[0056] The transparent protective film generally has a thickness within the range of approximately 0.1 to 20 µm.

[0057] The transparent protective film can be formed on the phosphor layer by the steps of coating the surface of the phosphor layer with a solution of a transparent polymer such as a cellulose derivative (e.g., cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose), or a synthetic polymer (e.g. polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetate, or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer), and drying the coated solution. Alternatively, the transparent film can be provided on the phosphor layer by beforehand preparing a protective film from a plastic sheet of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride or polyamide; or transparent glass sheet, followed by placing and fixing it onto the phosphor layer with an appropriate adhesive agent.

[0058] The protective film for the radiographic intensifying screen preferably is a film formed from a solution containing fluoro-resin soluble in an organic solvent. The fluoro-resin is a polymer of an olefin having fluorine (i.e., fluoroolefin) or a copolymer using an olefin monomer having fluorine as a copolymer component. The film formed from the fluoro-resin solution may be cross-linked. The protective film of fluoro-resin is advantageous because stain (caused by, for instance, the plasticizer and the like exuding from radiographic films or other materials in contact with the protective film) hardly permeates the film and the stain can be easily removed by wiping.

[0059] In the case that fluoro-resin soluble in organic solvents is used as the material for forming a protective film, the film can be easily formed by the steps of applying a solution of the resin dissolved in a proper organic solvent and drying the coated solution in the same manner described above. Actually, the protective film can be formed by the steps of evenly coating the surface of the phosphor layer with a solution for forming a protective film containing the fluoro-resin soluble in organic solvents by a doctor blade or the like, and drying the coated solution. The protective film and the phosphor layer can be formed at the same time by simultaneous superposing coating method.

[0060] The fluoro-resin is a polymer of an olefin having fluorine (fluoroolefin) or a copolymer of an olefin having fluorine as a copolymer component. Examples of the fluoro-resins include polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer and fluoroolefin-vinyl ether copolymer. The fluoro-resin is generally insoluble in organic solvents, but the resin comprising a fluoroolefin as a copolymer component is soluble in organic solvents provided that other copolymer components (other than fluoroolefin) are appropriately selected. Therefore, by the steps of dissolving such resin into an appropriate solvent, applying the obtained solution onto the phosphor layer and drying the applied solution, the protective film can be easily formed. An example of such copolymer is fluoroolefin-vinyl ether copolymer. Polytetrafluoroethylene and its modified compounds are also employable for forming the protective film by application as well as the above-mentioned copolymer comprising fluoroolefin as a copolymer component, because they are soluble in a proper organic solvent of fluorine type such as a perfluoro-type solvent.

[0061] The protective film may contain a resin other than the fluoro-resin and may also contain additives such as a cross linking agent, a hardner and an anti-yellowing agent. However, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the amount of the fluoro-resin contained in the protective film is preferred to be not less than 30 wt.%, more preferably not less than 50 wt.%, and most preferably not less than 70 wt.%. Examples of the resin employable in combination with the fluoro-resin include polyurethane resin, polyacryl resin, cellulose derivatives, polymethyl methacrylate, polyester resin and epoxy resin.

[0062] The protective film of the radiographic intensifying screen may comprise one or both of an oligomer having polysiloxane structure and an oligomer having perfluoroalkyl group. The oligomer having polysiloxane structure has, for example, dimethylpolysiloxane structure, and it preferably has at least one functional group (e.g., hydroxyl group: -OH). Besides that, the molecular weight (average weight) preferably is within the range of 500-100,000, more preferably 1,000-100,000 and most preferably 3,000-100,000. The oligomer having perfluoroalkyl group (e.g., tetrafluoroethylene group) preferably has at least one functional group (e.g., hydroxyl group: -OH), and the molecular weight (average weight) of the oligomer preferably is within a range of 500-100,000, more preferably 1,000-100,000 and most preferably 10,000-100,000. The oligomer having a functional group is very advantageous because of the following reason: namely, such oligomer is fastened to the structure of the resin for forming the protective film by cross-linking reaction between the oligomer and the resin during formtaion of the protective film, and so the oligomer is hardly removed by iterative use of the screen or by cleaning the film surface, and consequently the oligomer can effectively work for a long time.

[0063] The amount of the oligomer contained in the film preferably is within the range of 0.01-10 wt.%, more preferably 0.1-2 wt.%.

[0064] The protective film also may contain a powder of perfluoroolefin resin or a powder of silicone resin. The average size of the powder of perfluoroolefin resin or silicone resin preferably is within the range of 0.1-10 µm, more preferably 0.3-5 µm. The amount of the powder of perfluoroolefin resin or the powder of silicone resin contained in the protective film preferably is within the range of 0.5-30 wt.%, more preferably 2-20 wt.% and most preferably 5-15 wt.%, based on the total weight of the protective film.

[0065] The radiographic intensifying screen used in the invention preferably is highly sensitive and shows contrast transfer function (CTF) values of at least 0.79 and at least 0.36 at the spatial frequencies of 1 line/mm and of 3 lines/mm, respectively.

[0066] Preferably, the radiographic intensifying screen used in the invention shows CTF values higher, at any spatial frequency, than the following relation curve between spatial frequency plotted on horizontal axis (1p/mm or line/mm) and CTF values plotted on vertical axis.

1p/mm	CTF
0.00	1.00
0.25	0.950
0.50	0.905
0.75	0.840
1.00	0.790
1.25	0.720
1.50	0.655
1.75	0.595
2.00	0.535
2.50	0.430
3.00	0.360
3.50	0.300
4.00	0.255
5.00	0.180
6.00	0.130

[0067] The measurement and evaluation of the contrast transfer function from a radiographic intensifying screen to a photographic material can be carried out using the MRE single face material specimen (available from Eastman Kodak) on which a rectangular chart is printed.

[0068] Figure 1 shows the above relation curve between spatial frequency (1p/mm) and CTF values.

[0069] The preferred radiographic intensifying screen having the above-mentioned characteristics can be easily prepared by the method in which the above-described thermoplastic elastomer is used as a binder and the phosphor layer is compressed.

[0070] Preferably, the protective film of the radiographic intensifying screen is a transparent synthetic resin layer having the thickness of not more than 5 µm. Such a thin protective layer contributes to improving the sharpness of the obtained radiographic image, because it shortens the distance between the silver halide photographic material and the phosphor on the radiographic intensifying screen.

[0071] The detailed explanation with respect to the silver halide photographic material for the invention is given below.

[0072] The silver halide photographic material for the invention has the constitution: in which provided are silver halide photographic layers one of which is provided on the front of a support and another of which is on the back of the support; and at least one of said photosensitive layers has the sensitivity that 0.010-0.035 lux·second (preferably, 0.012-0.030 lux·second) of exposure dose is required to obtain an image having a density of 0.5 more than the minimum density thereon, said density being obtained by the steps of: exposing the photographic material to monochromatic light of which wavelength is the same as the main emission wavelength of the radiographic intensifying screen defined in the aforementioned 1) and of which half width is 15±5 nm, developing at 35°C for 25 seconds in the developing solution (which is referred to as "Standard developer" or "Developer A", hereinafter) comprising the following:

potassium hydroxide	21 g
potassium sulfite	63 g
boric acid	10 g
hydroquinone	25 g
triethylene glycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0.2 g
glacial acetic acid	10 g
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone	1.2 g
5-methylbenztriazole	0.05 g
glutaraldehyde	5 g
potassium bromide	4 g
water to adjust the volume to 1 liter, the pH value being adjusted to 10.2,

removing another photosensitive layer provided on the reverse side of the exposed face and then measuring the density of the remaining photosensitive layer.

[0073] The silver halide photographic material is so produced that more not than 15 %, more preferably not more than 10 %, most preferably 10 to 2 %, of the light emitted by the intensifying screen placed on the front of said photographic material, that is, cross-over light, may not reach the photosensitive layer provided on the back of said material.

[0074] In the measurement of the sensitivity of the silver halide photographic material, the wavelength of exposing light should precisely or nearly correspond to the main emission wavelength of the radiographic intensifying screen used in combination. For instance, when terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor is used as the phosphor of the intensifying screen, the wavelength of the light used for measuring the sensitivity of the photographic material should be around 545 nm because the main emission wavelength of the phosphor is 545 nm.

[0075] The monochromatic light can be obtained by means of a filter system in which interference filters are combined. Using such filters system, a monochromatic light which has sufficient intensity to be used and of which half width is 15±5 nm can be easily obtained, though the intensity of the light depends upon the combination of the interference filters. Since the spectral sensitivity spectrum of photographic material is continuous independently of spectral sensitization, the sensitivity is practically constant within the half width of 15±5 nm.

[0076] An example of the exposure light source, in the case that terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor is used as the phosphor of the intensifying screen, is a system comprising a tungsten light (color temperature: 2,856 K) and a filter having the characteristics shown in Fig. 2.

[0077] The following are standard conditions of a development process using the above-described Standard developer.

Developing time:

25 seconds
(21 sec. in the solution + 4 sec. in air)

Fixing time:

20 seconds
(16 sec. in the solution + 4 sec. in air;
The fixing solution has the below-described composition.)

Washing:

12 seconds

Squeege and drying:

26 seconds

Developing Apparatus:

a commercially available roller conveyor automatic developing machine (e.g., FPM-5000 automatic developing machine available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.);
(Developing tank 22 liter [vol.],35°C [temp.]);
(Fixing tank 15.5 liter [vol.], 25°C [temp.]);
Another example of the commercially available roller conveyor automatic developing machine is M-6AW available from Eastman Kodak.

[0078] The composition of the fixing solution (hereinafter, referred to as Fixing Solution F) is as follows:

ammonium thiosulfate (70 % wt./vol.)	200 ml
sodium sulfite	20 g
boric acid	8 g
sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (dihydrates)	0.1 g
aluminum sulfate	15 g
sulfuric acid	2 g
glacial acetic acid	22 g
and water to adjust the volume to 1 liter, and then, if required, the value of pH is adjusted to 4.2 using sodium hydroxide or glacial acetic acid.

[0079] The measurement of the amount of the cross-over light (hereinafter simply referred to as "cross-over") is performed in the following manner: a photographic material having photosensitive layers provided on both sides is placed on the radiographic intensifying screen in contact with the front surface or the screen; and then a sheet of black paper is placed on the photographic material in contact with the front surface (i.e, the surface other than the surface contacting the screen) of said material; in this arrangement, the material is exposed to X-rays with various doses, which are adjusted by varying the distance between the intensifying screen and the focal spot of the X-ray generator; thereafter, the exposed material is developed and then divided into two sheets. From one sheet, the photosensitive layer having been in contact with the intensifying screen (back side photosensitive layer) is peeled off, and from another sheet, the photosensitive layer on the other side (front side photosensitive layer) is peeled off. Then, with respect to each of the remaining photosensitive layers, the optical density is measured and plotted against the corresponding dose to draw a characteristic curve for each layer. The average difference of the sensitivity (Δlog E) between the front and the back side layers is estimated from the straight line portion of each characteristic curve; and the amount of cross-over is calculated based on the estimated average difference of the sensitivity (Δlog E) in accordance with the following formula:

[0080] A typical silver halide photographic material for the invention comprises, for example, a subbing layer, a dye layer (which is provided to reduce the cross-over, if needed), at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer, and a protective layer, superposed in this order on each side (i.e., on each of the front side and the back side) of a blue-colored transparent support. Preferably, each layer provided on one side is substantially the same as the corresponding layer provided on the other side.

[0081] The support is made of transparent material such as polyethylene terephthalate, and is colored with a blue dye. Various blue dyes such as anthraquinone dye, which is known as a dye for radiographic film, are employable. The thickness of the support is within the range of 160-200 µm.

[0082] A subbing layer of water-soluble polymer such as gelatin can be provided on the support in the same way as the conventional radiographic film.

[0083] If necessary, a dye layer is provided on the subbing layer to reduce cross-over. The dye layer is usually prepared in the form of a colloidal layer containing a dye, and the layer can be preferably decolorized in the developing process defined in the above. It is also preferred that the dye be fixed in the bottom part of the layer in order not to enter into the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer or the protective layer provided thereon.

[0084] Various methods for decolorizing or fixing the dye in the colloidal layer described above are known. Examples of such methods include: method in which a combination of an anionic dye and a cationic mordant (European Patent Publication No. 211273B1) is used; method in which a combination of an anionic dye and a mordant of polymer dispersion prepared by adding unsaturated ethylene monomer having an anionic function group into a cationic mordant to be polymerized (Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2(1990)-207242) is used; and method in which a solid fine crystalline dye (fine crystalline dye particles) is used (U.S. Patent No. 4,803,150). Among the above methods, prefered is the method in which a solid fine crystalline dye (fine crystalline dye particles) is used.

[0085] The above-mentioned dye layer effectively reduces the cross-over to 15 % or less, particularly 10 % or less.

[0086] The following are examples of the anionic dyes used in the case that the dye layer is formed with a combination of an anionic dye and a cationic mordant:

[0087] The following are examples of the solid fine crystalline dyes used in the case that the dye layer is formed of the solid fine crystalline dye.

[0088] A photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer is provided on the dye layer. The photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer of the photographic material of the invention can be prepared in the known manner. However, since the silver halide emulsion used for the invention is relatively low-sensitive among the emulsions for known radiographic materials, it is preferred to comprise silver halide particles of a small size. The preferred size of the particles is 0.3-0.8 µm (more preferably, 0.5-0.7 µm) in terms of the mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area, when a non-tabular particle (of which aspect ratio is nearly 1) is used for the invention. On the other hand, when the silver halide particles of tabular type (of which aspect ratio is 5/1-10/1) are used for the invention, the size of the particles preferably is within the range of 0.4-1.4 µm (more preferably, 0.5-1.0 µm).

[0089] The sensitivity of the silver halide emulsion can be reduced by other methods such as the method in which dyes are added to the emulsion, and the method in which the degree of sensitization (spectral sensitization or chemical sensitization) is reduced.

[0090] The silver halide photographic material should be sensitive to the light emitted by the radiographic intensifying screen used in combination. Since an ordinary silver halide emulsion is sensitive to the light of which wavelength is within the range of blue to ultraviolet, it can be used in combination with an intensifying screen which emits the luminescence of which wavelength is within the range of blue to ultraviolet (example of such screen is a radiographic intensifying screen using calcium tungstate phosphor). However, the silver halide in the photographic material should be spectral sensitized to green light if an intensifying screen using terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor, which emits luminescence having main wavelength of 545 nm, is used.

[0091] Preferably, the silver halide emulsion for the silver halide photographic material of the invention comprises tabular silver halide particles. In fact, the emulsion comprising tabular silver halide particles exhibits excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality, and has excellent spectral-sensitizable characteristics and high ability to reduce the cross-over. Therefore, such emulsion is very advantageous.

[0092] With respect to the process for preparing the tabular silver halide particle emulsion, various improved methods have been recently proposed. Such methods are employable for preparing the tabular silver halide particle emulsion for the preparation of the photographic material of the invention. Examples of such improved methods include: the method in which reduction sensitization is performed in combination with addition of a mercapto compound or a certain dye to improve the pressure characteristics; the sensitization method using selenium compounds; the method in which the iodide content of the particle surface is lowered to reduce the pressure mark possibly produced in the transfer using rollers; and the method (which is applied for preparing two silver halide emulsions used for the photographic material having double photosensitive layers) in which the silver/gelatin ratio of each emulsion is optimized to improve the balance between drying ability and reduction of the pressure mark produced in the transfer using rollers. These methods are disclosed in Japanese Patent Applications No. 3(1991)-145164, No. 3(1991)-228639, No. 2(1990)-89379, NO. 2(1990)-288898, No. 2(1990)-225637, and No. 3(1991)-103639.

[0093] As is described above, the silver halide photographic material of the invention preferably has a dye layer which can be decolorized in the developing process performed under the aforementioned conditions. From this point of view, it is preferred to reduce the amount of the binder used in the photosensitive layer superposed on the dye layer. Actually, the amount of the binder in the photosensitive layer preferably is not more than 5 g/cm², more preferably not more than 3 g/cm². On the other hand, the amount of the silver contained in the photosensitive layer preferably is not more than 3 g/cm², more preferably not more than 2 g/cm².

[0094] The silver halide photographic material used in the invention is prepared to give an exposure image having the following characteristic curve, after stepwise exposing the photographic material to X-rays and developing the material under the conditions described above: the characteristic curve having the mean gamma (γ) between the point of the density higher than the minimum density by 0.1 (the point of D_min + 0.1) and the point of the the density higher than the minimum density by 0.5 (the point of D_min + 0.5) within the range of 0.5-0.9, and the mean gamma (γ) between the point of D_min + 1.2 and the point of D_min + 1.6 within the range of 3.2-4.0; said characteristic curve being drawn on the rectangular coordinate in which the unit length of the axis of optical density (D) is the same as that of the axis of exposure (log E).

[0095] If the silver halide photographic material giving the above-described characteristic curve is employed for the radiographic system of the invention, a radiographic image having excellent characteristics can be obtained. In more detail, the characteristic curve of such image shows an elongated toe and high gamma in the medium density region. Therefore, by the use of the photographic material having the above-described characteristics, radiographic images of a low density (such as a radiographic image of mediastinum or shadow of heart, through which only a small amount of X-rays can pass) can be made much clearer and the density of a radiographic image of the field of lung through which a large amount of X-rays can pass, can be more clearly visualized. Besides that, the contrast of the images are also improved.

[0096] The silver halide photographic material giving the above-described preferable characteristic curve can be a photographic material having two or more silver halide emulsion layers, provided on each side of which sensitivities differ from each other. With respect to such photographic material, it is particularly preferred that the upper layer be of high sensitive and the lower one be of low sensitivity and give high contrast. When the photographic material has two emulsion layers on each side, the difference of sensitivity between the two layers generally is set to not less than 1.5 times, preferably not less than twice, as much as the sensitivity of the lower layer. The ratio of the amounts of the emulsions used in each layer is determined according to the differences of sensitivity and covering power between the adopted emulsions. Generally, the amount of the high sensitive emulsion to be used is reduced, when the difference of sensitivity is increased. For instance, if one emulsion is twice as sensitive as the other and that covering powers of them are nearly the same, the ratio of the high sensitive emulsion to the low-sensitive one is within the range of 1:20 to 1:5, in terms of the amount of silver.

[0097] On the above-described composite comprising a subbing layer and photosensitive layers provided on each side of the support in the above-described manner, a protective layer comprising a water-soluble polymer such as gelatin is provided in the known manner to finally prepare a silver halide photographic material of the invention.

[0098] With respect to methods for sensitizing the emulsion, various additives, constituting materials and processes for developing, there are no particular restrictions in the invention. Actually, various known technologies, for example, the arts described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication (J.P.P.P.) Nos. 2(1990)-68539, 2(1990)-103037 and 2(1990)-115837 can be employed. Some of the descriptions concerning such technologies are set forth in the following table:

Item		Description
1.	Chemical sensitization	J.P.P.P. No. 2(1990)-68539, pp.10, col.Right-Top, l.13 - pp.10, col.Left-Bottom, l.16
2.	Anti-fogging agent & stabilizer	ibid., pp.10, col.L-B, l.17 - pp.11, col.L-T, l.7
3.	Spectral sensitizing agent	ibid., pp.4, col.R-B, l.4 -pp.8, col.R-B, l.8
4.	Surface active agent & Antistatic agent	ibid., pp.11, col.L-T, l.14 - pp.12, col.L-T, l.9
5.	Matte agent, Slipping agent & Plasticizer	ibid., pp.12, col.L-T, l.10 - pp.12, col.R-T, l.10; and ibid., pp.14, col.L-B, l.10 - pp.14, col.R-B, l.1
6.	Hydrophilic colloid	ibid., pp.12, col.R-T, l.11 - pp.12, col.L-B, l.16
7.	Hardening agent	ibid., pp.12, col.L-B, l.17 - pp.13, col.R-T, l.6
8.	Support	ibid., pp.13, col.R-T, l.7 - pp.13, col.R-T, l.20
9.	Dye & Mordant	ibid., pp.13, col.L-B, l.1 - pp.14, col.L-B, l.9
10.	Developing process	J.P.P.P. No. 2(1990)-103037, pp.16, col.R-T, l.7 - pp.19, col.L-B, l.15; and J.P.P.P. No. 2(1990)-115837, pp.3, col.R-B, l.5 - pp.6, col.R-T, l.10

[0099] The following is a detailed explanation of the combination of the invention.

[0100] The combination of the invention can be constituted by a combination of a photographic material having the specific sensitivity and one or two high sensitive radiographic intensifying screens which absorb X-rays to give spatial frequencies in the specific range. However, a preferred example of the combination comprises a radiographic intensifying screen which absorbs X-rays of 80 KV_p in the ratio of 30 to 40 % and a photographic material whose sensitivity defined hereinbefore corresponds to 0.012-0.015 lux·second. A further preferred example of the combination comprises a pair of a radiographic intensifying screen which absorbs X-rays of 80 KV_p in the ratio of 30 to 40 % and a photographic material of which sensitivity defined above corresponds to 0.02-0.03 lux·second. The latter can give an image having excellent image quality with a practical sensitivity (i.e., an acceptable dose of X-rays).

[0101] Preferably used for the combination of the invention is a silver halide photographic material in which each of the front and the back photosensitive layers satisfies the above-described conditions concerning the sensitivity, and the characteristics of corresponding layers are substantially the same. On each side of such photographic material, a radiographic intensifying screen having the same characteristics as those of the intensifying screen on the other side is preferably provided. However, in order to improve the balance between image sharpness and sensitivity, the amount of the phosphor coated on the front intensifying screen can be made to be smaller than that of the phosphor coated on the back side screen, as is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,710,637.

[0102] Preferably, the combination of the invention comprising a silver halide photographic material and two radiographic intensifying screens is selected so that the combination can have practically acceptable sensitivity and futher that excellent radiographic image quality can be obtained. Actually, it is preferred that the total sensitivity of the combination gives the density of 1.0, the density being obtained by the steps of exposing the combination to X-rays of 80 KV_p with a exposure dose in the range of 0.5-1.5 mR generated by a three-phase X-ray generator and developing in the above-defined developing solution under the aforementioned conditions.

[0103] The following is the explanation of the measurement and the principle concerning the measurement to evaluate the performance of the combination of the invention.

[0104] The measurement of Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) is generally utilized for measuring image formation efficiency of a combination comprising a silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens. Further, the measurement of Noise Equivalent Quanta (NEQ) is also used for totally evaluating both sharpness and graininess. The value of DQE is calculated by dividing (Signal/Noise)² value of the image finally formed on the photographic material of the combination by (Signal/Noise)² value of the X-rays impinged onto the photographic material. If an ideal image is formed, the value of DQE is 1. However, the value is usually less than 1. On the other hand, the value of NEQ is defined by (Signal/Noise)² value of the finally obtained image. The relation between DQE and NEQ is represented by the following formulas:

wherein γ represents the contrast, MTF(ν) is the modulation transfer function of the image, NPS₀(ν) is the output noise power spectrum, ν represents spatial frequency, and Q is the number of the impinged X-ray quanta.

[0105] The relation between sensitivity and image quality can be evaluated by DQE. A combination of high DQE exhibits excellent balance between sensitivity and image quality. On the other hand, the image quality of the finally obtained image can be evaluated by NEQ. In other words, if the combination has a higher NEQ, it gives better image quality. However, since NEQ gives physical evaluation of the image quality, it does not directly indicate clinical recognizability of the image. In fact, if the graininess and the sharpness of the image are extremely unbalanced, the image does not exhibit high visual recognizability for diagnosis. Therefore, from a clinical point of view, the image is preferably evaluated based on both NEQ and MTF.

[Examples for COMBINATION I]

Example 1

(1) Each of the following radiographic intensifying screens was prepared in a pair (i.e, front screen and back screen).

[0106] 

HR-3 (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

HR-4 (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

HR-8 (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

Radiographic intensifying screen A (Sample A)

Radiographic intensifying screen B (Sample B)

1) Preparation of Radiographic intensifying screen A

[0107] 200 g of a phosphor (Gd₂O₂S:Tb), 20 g of Binder A (polyurethane, Desmolac TPKL-5-2625 (trade name); available from Sumitomo Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd. [solid content: 40 %]), and 2 g of Binder B (nitrocellulose, nitration degree: 11.5 %) were added to methyl ethyl ketone. The resulting mixture was stirred by a propeller agitator to prepare a coating dispersion (for forming a phosphor sheet) having a viscosity of 30 PS (at 25°C) [binder/phosphor = 1/20].

[0108] The obtained dispersion was coated on a polyethylene terephthalate film (false support, thickness: 180 µm) which had been beforehand coated with a silicon release agent so that the thickness of the obtained phosphor layer would be 160 µm (this thickness was measured after the compression treatment described below was done). After being dried, the coated film was peeled off to give a phosphor sheet.

[0109] Further, 90 g of soft acryl resin and 50 g of nitrocellulose were added to methyl ethyl ketone. The resulting mixture was stirred to prepare a coating dispersion for a subbing layer having a viscosity of 3 - 6 PS (at 25°C).

[0110] The obtained dispersion for a subbing layer was coated by a doctor blade on a polyethylene terephthalate film containing titanium dioxide (support, thickness: 250 µm) which was placed on a glass plate. The coated layers were heated at temperatures gradually rising from 25°C to 100°C to prepare a subbing layer (thickness: 15 µm). The phosphor sheet prepared above was superposed on the subbing layer, and then the prepared composite was compressed at a pressure of 400 kgw/cm² and a temperature of 80°C using a calender roll.

[0111] Independently, 70 g of fluoro-resin (fluoroolefinvinyl ether co-polymer, Lumiflon LF100 (trade name); available from Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), 25 g of a crosslinking agent (isocyanate, Desmodul Z4370 (trade name); available from Sumitomo Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd.), 5 g of an epoxy resin of Bisphenol A type and 5 g of an alcohol modified silicone oligomer (which had dimethylpolysiloxane structure and hydroxyl groups (carbinol groups) at both terminals, X-22-2809 (trade name); available from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) were added to a solvent mixture of toluene and isopropyl alcohol (1:1, in volume) to prepare a dispersion for a protective film.

[0112] The obtained dispersion for a protective film was coated by a doctor blade on the phosphor layer having been compressed on the support. The coated film was heated to 120°C for 30 minutes to prepare a transparent protective film having a thickness of 3 µm.

[0113] Thus, a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a subbing layer, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film was prepared. The obtained screen was named "Radiographic intensifying screen A".

2) Preparation of Radiographic intensifying screen B

[0114] The procedure of the above-described preparation of Radiographic intensifying screen A was repeated except that the phosphor layer was prepared so that the thickness of the obtained layer would be 230 µm (this thickness was measured after the compression treatment was made) to prepare a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a subbing layer, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film. The obtained screen was named "Radiographic intensifying screen B".

(2) Evaluation of characteristics of radiographic intensifying screens

1) Measurement of X-ray absorption

[0115] An X-ray generator of tungsten target tube (80 KV_p, three-phase) was set, and the sample screen was placed in front of the tungsten anode of the target tube at a distance of 200 cm. Thereafter, the sample screen was exposed to X-rays generated by the tube through an aluminium plate having the thickness of 3 mm. The amount of X-rays passing through the screen was measured by an ionization dosimeter placed behind the screen at a distance of 50 cm. Independently, as a blank test, the measurement without the screen was carried out to obtain the amount of X-rays directly reaching the dosimeter.

[0116] The obtained values are set forth in Table 1.

2) Measurement of contrast transfer function (CTF)

[0117] A photographic material (MRE single face type; available from Eastman Kodak) was placed in close contact with the sample screen, and then a radiographic image of a rectangular chart for measuring MTF (made of molybdenum, thickness: 80 µm, spatial frequency: 0-10 lp/mm) was obtained in the following manner.

[0118] The chart was placed in front of an X-ray tube at a distance of 2 m. The photographic material was placed behind the chart (i.e., material faced the tube through the chart) and the sample intensifying screen was provided behind the photographic material in close contact.

[0119] The X-ray tube was DRX-3724HD (Trade name) available from Toshiba Corporation, in which X-rays were generated by tungsten target and a pulse generator (80 KV_p, three-phase), and then passed through 3 mm thick aluminium equivalent material including aperture to make the focal spot size of 0.6 mm × 0.6 mm. The X-rays generated from the tube were made to pass through a filter of water having a path of 7 cm (which absorbed X-rays in nearly the same amount as a human body) to obtain a radiographic image of the chart.

[0120] The exposed photographic material was developed by means of a roller conveyor automatic developing machine (FPM-5000) available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. in the manner described hereinbefore. In the development process, RD III developing solution available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (of which composition was the same as that of above-described Developing Solution A) was used at 35°C, and Fixing Solution F (which was prepared in the following manner: 200 ml of ammonium thiosulfate [70 % wt./vol.], 20 g of sodium sulfite, 8 g of boric acid, 0.1 g of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate [dihydrates], 15 g of aluminum sulfate, 2 g of sulfuric acid, and 22 g of glacial acetic acid were added to water so that the volume would be 1 liter, and then the value of pH was adjusted to 4.2) was used at 25°C. Thus, the sample for the measurement was prepared. The dose of X-rays in the exposure process described hereinbefore was determined so that the average difference between the highest and the lowest density of the developed image would be 1.

[0121] The density of the radiographic image of the developed sample was measured to obtain a density profile by means of a microdensitometer under the condition that the aperture was a slit of 30 µm × 500 µm (scanning direction × vertical direction) and the sampling distance was 30 µm. This procedure was repeated twenty times and the obtained values were averaged to obtain the density profile on which CTF was calculated. Thereafter, the peak corresponding to the pulse of each spatial frequency in the density profile was observed to calculate the density contrast of each frequency.

[0122] The obtained values concerning spatial frequencies of 1 lp/mm and 3 lp/mm are set forth in Table 1.

3) Measurement of sensitivity

[0123] A green-sensitized photographic material (MRE single face type; available from Eastman Kodak) was combined with the sample intensifying screen to give a combination, and then the combination was stepwise exposed to X-rays varying the dose by the step width of log E = 0.15. In this exposure process, the dose was adjusted by varying the distance between the combination and the X-ray source, which was the same generator as used in the above-described CTF measurement. The exposed material was developed in the same manner as described in the CTF measurement. Thus, the sample for the measurement was prepared.

[0124] The density of the prepared sample was measured using visible light to obtain a characteristic curve. According to the obtained characteristic curve, the dose of X-rays required to give a density of D_min + 1.0 was measured and the sensitivity was defined by the reciprocal number of said required dose. The calculated sensitivity of each sample was reduced to a relative value, based on the sensitivity of HR-4 (commercially available radiographic intensifying screen) on the back side being set at the value of 100 as the standard. The results are set forth in Table 1.

Table 1

screen	X-ray absorption	Sensitivity	CTF (1 lp/mm)	CTF (3 lp/mm)
HR-3 (front)	18.2 %	48	0.890	0.660
HR-3 (back)	18.2 %	48	0.889	0.660
HR-4 (front)	22.3 %	89	0.850	0.510
HR-4 (back)	23.1 %	100	0.850	0.506
HR-8 (front)	31.3 %	155	0.775	0.340
HR-8 (back)	32.2 %	170	0.763	0.336
Screen A	32.8 %	200	0.869	0.494
Screen B	43.2 %	270	0.802	0.375

(3) Each of the following silver halide photographic materials was prepared.

[0125] 

Super HR-S (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

Silver halide photographic material I (Sample I)

Silver halide photographic material II (Sample II)

Silver halide photographic material III (Sample III)

Silver halide photographic material IV (Sample IV)

1) Preparation of silver halide photographic material I

(Preparation of fine tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion)

[0126] 6.0 g of potassium bromide and 8.0 g of gelatin were added to 1 liter of water, and the prepared mixture was stirred and kept at 55°C. At this temperature, 37 cc of aqueous silver nitrate solution (containing 4.0 g of silver nitrate) and 38 cc of an aqueous solution of 5.7 g of potassium bromide were added to the mixture by the double-jet method for 37 seconds. After 18.6 g of gelatin was further added to the obtained solution, the solution was heated to 70°C, and then 89 cc of aqueous silver nitrate solution (containing 9.8 g of silver nitrate) was added for 22 minutes. To the resulting solution, 7 cc of 25 % aqueous ammonia was added. Then, the solution was settled for 10 minutes, keeping the temperature for physical-ripening. Subsequently, 6.5 cc of 100 % acetic acid was added. To the obtained solution, an aqueous solution of 153 g of silver nitrate and an aqueous potassium bromide solution were added by the controlled double-jet method for 35 minutes while the pAg value of the solution was kept at 8.5. To the obtained emulsion, 15 cc of 2 N potassium thiocyanate was added. Then, the prepared emulsion was settled for 5 minutes keeping the temperature for physical-ripening. The emulsion was cooled to 35°C.

[0127] Thus, a silver halide emulsion (tabular silver bromide particle-monodispersed emulsion, thickness: 0.165 µm, variation coefficient: 18.5 %, mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area: 1.10 µm) was obtained.

[0128] From the prepared emulsion, salts were removed by the precipitation method. After the emulsion was heated to 40°C, 30 g of gelatin, 2.35 g of phenoxyethanol and 0.8 g of sodium polystyrenesulfonate as a viscosity improver were added. The pH and pAg values of the resulting emulsion were adjusted to 5.90 and 8.25, respectively, with sodium hydroxide and aqueous silver nitrate solution.

[0129] After the above-described procedure was complete, the emulsion was chemically sensitized under stirring at 56°C in the following manner.

[0130] Silver bromide was added to the emulsion at a ratio of 0.1 mol %, and then 0.043 mg of thiourea dioxide was added. Subsequently, the emulsion was settled for 22 minutes for performing reduction sensitization. To the sensitized emulsion, 20 mg of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene and 400 mg of the following sensitizing dye were added:

To the resulting emulsion, 0.83 g of calcium chloride was further added. Subsequently, 1.3 mg of sodium thiosulfate, 2.7 mg of the following selenium sensitizer:

2.6 mg of chloroauric acid and 90 mg of potassium thiocyanate were added. The emulsion was settled for 40 minutes and then cooled to 35°C. Thus, a fine tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion was obtained.

(Preparation of coating dispersion)

a) coating dispersion for silver halide emulsion layer

[0131] To the above-prepared fine tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion, the following components were added in the amounts described below per 1 mol of silver halide to prepare a coating dispersion for the emulsion layer.

[0132] The hardening agent was added in such amount that the swelling ratio would be 230 %.

b) coating dispersion for surface protective layer

[0133] A coating dispersion containing the following components per 1 m² was prepared:

(Support)

[0134] The surface of a biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film colored with a blue dye having a thickness of 175 µm was subjected to corona discharge treatment. Then, each surface was sequentially and superposingly coated with the coating dispersions having the following composition in the amounts described below (amount of each component was based on a dispersion for coating a single face) by a wire-bar coater to form a subbing layer consisting of two sub-layers on each surface.

a) lower sub-layer of subbing layer

[0135] 

b) upper sub-layer of subbing layer

[0136] 

(Photographic material)

[0137] The above-described coating dispersions for silver halide emulsion layer and for surface protective layer were simultaneously and superposingly applied on the support having subbing layers each of which had been provided on each surface. Thus, Silver halide photographic material I, which had a silver halide emulsion layer and a surface protective layer both of which were provided on each side, was obtained. The amount of the applied coating dispersion of silver halide emulsion was 1.8 g/m² (amount in terms of silver metal) per one surface.

2) Preparation of Silver halide photographic material II

[0138] The procedure of the preparation of Silver halide photographic material I was repeated except that the amount of gelatin initially used was changed to 6 g to prepare a silver halide emulsion (tabular silver bromide particle-monodispersed emulsion, thickness: 0.160 µm, variation coefficient: 17.5 %, mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area: 1.00 µm).

[0139] The obtained emulsion was sensitized to prepare a coating dispersion in the same manner as described in the procedure for Silver halide photographic material I. From the obtained dispersion, Silver halide photographic material II was prepared in the same manner as described in the procedure for Silver halide photographic material I. The amount of the applied coating dispersion of silver halide emulsion was 1.64 g/m² (amount in terms of silver metal) per one surface.

3) Preparation of Silver halide photographic material III

[0140] The procedure of the preparation of Silver halide photographic material I was repeated except that the amount of gelatin initially used was changed to 6 g and that the temperature was changed to 50°C to prepare a silver halide emulsion (tabular silver bromide particle-monodispersed emulsion, thickness: 0.155 µm, variation coefficient: 19.0 %, mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area: 0.85 µm).

[0141] The obtained emulsion was sensitized to prepare a coating dispersion in the same manner as described in the procedure for Silver halide photographic material I. From the obtained dispersion, Silver halide photographic material III was prepared in the same manner as described in the procedure for Silver halide photographic material I. The amount of the applied coating dispersion of silver halide emulsion was 1.50 g/m² (amount in terms of silver metal) per one surface.

4) Preparation of Silver halide photographic material IV

[0142] The procedure of the preparation of Silver halide photographic material I was repeated except that the amount of gelatin initially used was changed to 5 g and that the temperature was changed to 40°C to prepare a silver halide emulsion (tabular silver bromide particle-monodispersed emulsion, thickness: 0.155 µm, variation coefficient: 18.0 %, mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area: 0.65 µm).

[0143] The obtained emulsion was sensitized to prepare a coating dispersion in the same manner as described in the procedure for Silver halide photographic material I. From the obtained dispersion, Silver halide photographic material IV was prepared in the same manner as described in the procedure for Silver halide photographic material I. The amount of silver halide emulsion of the applied coating dispersion was 1.38 g/m² (amount in terms of silver metal) per one surface.

(4) Evaluation of characteristics of the silver halide photographic material

1) Measurement of sensitivity

[0144] The sensitivity of the sample material was measured using light emitted by a tungsten light source (color temperature: 2856 K) and then passing through the optical filter having the characteristic curve shown in Fig. 2 (by which the wavelength of the light was set to around 545 nm - corresponding to the main wavelength of the luminescence of the below-described radiographic intensifying screen used in combination). The sample photographic material was exposed to the above light through a neutral step wedge for 1/20 second.

[0145] The exposed photographic material was developed in RD III developing solution available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (of which composition was the same as those of the above-described developing solution A) at 35°C for 25 seconds (total processing time: 90 seconds) by means of an automatic developing machine (FPM-5000) available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. The photosensitive layer provided on the reverse side of the exposed face was removed, and the density was measured on the remaining photosensitive layer to obtain the characteristic curve.

[0146] According to the obtained characteristic curve, the exposure dose required to give the density of D_min + 0.5 was calculated and the sensitivity was defined by the required exposure dose. The results expressed by lux·second are set forth in Table 2. In order to calculate the exposure dose, the illuminance of the light emitted by the tungsten light source and then passing through the optical filter was measured by an compnsated illuminometer of PI-3F type (compensated).

2) Measurement of cross-over

[0147] The sample silver halide photographic material was placed between a sheet of black paper and Radiographic intensifying screen A (containing terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor, the main emission wavelength: 545 nm, green light). The black paper on this combination was placed to face an X-ray generator, and then exposed to X-rays. The X-ray generator used in this measurement was the same as used for the evaluation of a radiographic intensifying screen. The photographic material was exposed to X-rays in various doses, which were adjusted by varying the distance between the intensifying screen and the X-ray generator. After the exposing process was complete, the exposed material was developed in the same manner as stated in the measurement of sensitivity. The developed photographic material was divided into two sheets. The photosensitive layer on each sheet was independently peeled off. The density of the photosensitive layer having been in contact with the intensifying screen was found higher than that of the photosensitive layer in the other side (black paper side). With respect to each of the remaining layers, the characteristic curve was obtained and the average difference of the sensitivity (Δlog E) was obtained from the straight line portion (density: 0.5 to 1.0) of each characteristic curve; and then the amount of cross-over was calculated based on the estimated average difference of the sensitivity (Δlog E) in accordance with the following formula:

[0148] The above-described procedure was repeated except that Radiographic intensifying screen A was replaced with other intensifying screens. However, the obtained values were nearly the same as obtained in the above measurement.

[0149] The calculated values of cross-over (%) are set forth in Table 2.

Table 2

Photosensitive material	Sensitivity (Dmin+0.5) (lux·second)	Cross-over (%)
Super HRS	0.0076	18
Material I	0.0070	20
Material II	0.0105	21
Material III	0.0140	22
Material IV	0.0250	24

(5) Evaluation of characteristics of the combinations of silver halide photographic materials and radiographic intensifying screens

1) Measurement of sensitivity and gamma

[0150] A photographic material to be measured was sandwiched between two radiographic intensifying screens to prepare a sample combination. With respect to the prepared combination, the exposing and developing processes were carried out in the same manner as described in the measurement of sensitivity of intensifying screens.

[0151] The dose of X-rays required to give the density of D_min + 0.5 was measured and the sensitivity was defined by the reciprocal number of said required dose. The calculated sensitivity of each sample was converted to a relative value, based on the sensitivity of the combination consisting of HR-4/Super HRS being set at the value of 100 as the standard. The value of gamma was expressed by the average gamma between density of 0.8 and 1.2.

2) Measurement of MTF

[0152] A sample photographic material was placed between two sample radiographic intensifying screens, and then a radiographic image of the rectangular chart for measuring MTF described above was formed. The chart was placed in front of the aforementioned X-ray tube at a distance of 2 m. The photographic material was placed behind the chart (i.e., the material faced the tube through the chart) and the sample intensifying screen was placed behind the photographic material in close contact.

[0153] The exposed photographic material was developed by means of a roller conveyor automatic developing machine available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (FPM-5000) in the manner described above. The dose of X-rays in exposing process was the same as described above.

[0154] The density of the radiographic image of the developed sample was measured by microdensitometer to obtain a density profile. This procedure was twenty times repeated and the obtained values were averaged to obtain the density profile on which CTF was calculated. Thereafter, the peak corresponding to the pulse of each spatial frequency in the density profile was detected to calculate the density contrast at each frequency.

[0155] The obtained density contrast was converted to the effective exposure rectangular contrast based on the independently obtained characteristic curve.

[0156] In order to derive MTF, the model MTF was assumed in accordance with the following formula:

The parameters were determined in the same manner as in the derivation of Coltman's formula. In more detail, the effective exposure rectangular contrast was expressed by MTF(ν) and its components at high frequencies such as MTF(3), MTF(5), · · · · ·, MTF(111); and then the parameters were determined so that the calculated values might correspond to the observed values. This procedure is described in detail in "HOSHASEN GAZO JYOHO KOGAKU (I)" (published by Tsusho Kenkyu-sha, 1981) by Uchida et al., pp.171. The obtained values of the parameters were applied to the above formula, and then MTF(ν) was calculated.

3) Measurement of Noise power spectrum (NPS₀(ν))

[0157] The measurement was carried out using the same X-ray generator as used in the measurement of MTF (in which the X-rays of 80 KV_p were caused to pass through the 3 mm aluminum equivalent material and the filter of water having the path of 7 cm). The combination was placed in front of the X-ray tube at a distance of 2 m, and exposed to the X-rays. The dose of X-rays was so adjusted that the density of the image of the developed material might be 1.0. Thus, the sample for measuring NPS₀(ν) was prepared. The density of the image of the sample was measured by the microdensitometer on condition that the aperture was a slit of 30 µm × 500 µm (scanning direction × vertical direction) and that the sampling distance was 20 µm. The number of sampling points was 8192 points/line × 12 lines. The results were divided at every 256 points, and FFT processing was performed. The FFT treatment was 1320 (average) times repeated to obtain a noise power spectrum.

4) Calculation of NEQ

[0158] NEQ was calculated in accordance with the formula:

Each obtained value was converted to a relative value, based on the NEQ value of the combination of HR-4/Super HRS being set at the value of 100 as standard. As representative values, the resulting values concerning spatial frequencies of 1 lp/mm and 3 lp/mm were set forth.

5) Calculation of DQE

[0159] DQE was calculated in accordance with the formula:

(Q is the number of the impinged X-ray quanta.)
In the calculation, the above-obtained relative value was applied to NEQ(ν). Since Q is inversely proportional to the sensitivity of the combination, the above formula can be rewritten to give the following formula:

Each value obtained in accordance with the above formula was converted to a relative value, based on the DEQ value of the combination of HR-4/Super HRS being set at the value of 100 as standard. As representative values, the obtained values concerning spatial frequencies of 1 lp/mm and 3 lp/mm are set forth.

6) Visual estimation

[0160] An image of the chest phantom (available from Kyoto Kagaku Co., Ltd.) was photographed in the following manner. An X-ray generator (three-phase; 12 pulse; 100 KV_p) equipped with a 3 mm aluminum equivalent material to make the focal spot size of the generated X-rays to be 0.6 mm × 0.6 mm was used. The phantom was placed in front of the X-ray generator at a distance of 140 cm. Behind the phantom, a grid for inhibiting scattering (grid ratio: 8:1) and the combination of photographic material and intensifying screen were placed. In this arrangement, a radiographic image of the phantom was obtained.

[0161] The photographic material of the combination was developed in RD III developing solution and the aforementioned Fixing Solution F at 35°C for 25 seconds (total processing time: 90 seconds) by the automatic developing machine (FPM-5000) in the same manner as in the measurement of photographic characteristics.

[0162] The dose of X-rays was adjusted by varying the exposure time so that the density of the determined point on the image might be 1.6. The quality of the obtained image of the chest phantom was visually estimated mainly from the viewpoint of clinical recognizability of veins in lung. The results were expressed by the marks A, B, C and D which mean "excellent", "good", "recognizable" and "not recognizable", respectively. Further, more detailed estimation was expressed using small letters "a" and "z". For instance, if two images each of which quality was assigned to the same mark A have slightly different qualities, the better one was expressed by Aa and the worse was by Az.

[0163] The results of the above measurements are set forth in Tables 3 and 4.

Table 3

No.	Photosensitive Material/Screen	Sens.of Photosensitive Material (lux·second)	Cross-Over (%)	X-ray abs. of Screen (front/back) (%)

Combination of the invention
1	P.M. II /Screen A	0.0105	21	32.8/32.8
2	P.M. III /Screen A	0.0140	22	32.8/32.8
3	P.M. IV /Screen A	0.0250	24	32.8/32.8
4	P.M. III /Screen B	0.0140	22	43.2/43.2
5	P.M. IV /Screen B	0.0250	24	43.2/43.2

Combination for comparison
6	P.M. I /Screen A	0.0076	20	32.8/32.8
7	P.M. II /HR-8	0.0105	21	31.3/32.2
8	P.M. III /HR-8	0.0140	22	31.3/32.2
9	Super HRS/HR-3	0.0076	18	18.2/18.2
10	Super HRS/HR-4	0.0076	18	22.3/23.1
11	Super HRS/HR-8	0.0076	18	31.3/32.2

Table 4

No.	Sens. (Dmin+1.0)	γ (0.8-1.2)	DQE		NEQ		MTF		Visual Est.
			1	3	1	3	1	3
			(lp/mm)

Combination of the invention
1	159	2.62	160	130	100	82	0.71	0.31	C
2	119	2.80	155	128	130	107	0.70	0.31	B
3	67	2.90	158	131	236	196	0.69	0.30	A
4	155	2.80	182	105	117	68	0.67	0.25	C
5	87	2.90	180	110	207	126	0.67	0.26	Ba

Combination for comparison
6	220	2.58	155	125	70	57	0.72	0.32	Cz
7	138	2.62	150	95	109	69	0.64	0.22	Cz
8	103	2.80	145	95	141	92	0.63	0.21	Cz
9	55	2.55	72	89	131	162	0.82	0.51	Ca
10	100	2.55	100	100	100	100	0.75	0.37	C
11	180	2.55	148	93	82	52	0.65	0.23	D

[0164] The above data inidcate the following facts:

1) The combinations (1) and (2) according to the invention, in which the sample radiographic intensifying screen A is used give images having excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality, as compared with the combinations (7) and (8) for comparison. In fact, the DQE values (3 lp/mm) of the images of (1) and (2) are about 1.35 times as high as those of (7) and (8). Further, the MTF values of the images of (7) and (8) are at the lowest level for diagnosis of chest and the images of veins obtained by (7) and (8) are considerably dim.

2) The combinations (4) and (5) according to the invention, which are the same combinations as (2) and (3) also according to the invention except that the intensifying screen A was replaced with the sample radiographic intensifying screen B (which absorbs X-rays more than the screen A does), give images of which DQE values (3 lp/mm) are superior to those of (2) and (3) but of which DQE values (1 lp/mm) are inferior to those of (2) and (3). Further, radiographic images given by the combinations (4) and (5) exhibit excellent graininess.

3) The combination (2) of the invention is more sensitive than the combination (10) for comparison by 19 %. Further, with respect to each of DQE (3 lp/mm) and DQE (1 lp/mm), the combination (2) is superior to the combination (10). Moreover, the radiographic image obtained by the former has less "roughness" and better recognizability of veins than that obtained by the latter.

4) The combination (2) of the invention is more than twice as sensitive as the combination (10) for comparison. Further, the radiographic image obtained by the former has better recognizability of veins than that obtained by the latter.

5) The combination (11) for comparison is very sensitive and gives high DQE, but on the other hand it gives low NEQ. According to visual observation of the radiographic image obtained, the image given by the combination (11) is too dim and too rough for medical diagnosis.

6) The combination (3) of the invention gives very high DQE, and it is more sensitive than the combination (9) for comparison by 21 %. Further, the chest radiographic image given by the former exhibits excellent image quality.

7) The combination (1) of the invention gives higher DQE than the combination (10) for comparison. While the image quality of the chest radiographic image given by the former is comparable to that given by the latter, the former is about 1.5 times as sensitive as the latter.

8) The combination (6) for comparison, which consists of a standard radiographic film and highly sensitive intensifying screens, is very sensitive and gives high DQE, but on the other hand it gives low NEQ. The chest radiographic image obtained by the combination has roughness, and therefore the image does not have the quality enough for precise diagnosis though it is usable.

9) The combination (9) for comparison gives very high MTF, but on the other hand low DQE is given because the combination comprises an intensifying screen which absorbs X-rays in a small amount. Besides that, the sensitivity of the combination is low. The combination gives the chest radiographic image having roughness, and therefore it is not suitable for precise diagnosis.

Example 2

[0165] The following shows a study of the case in which the cross-over level of the silver halide photographic material used for the combination of the invention was varied.

(1) Preparation of silver halide photographic materials V, VI, VII and VIII

[0166] The procedure of the preparation of Silver halide photographic material I in Example 1 was repeated except that the upper sub-layer of the subbing layer of the support was formed by coating the following dispersion of fine crystalline dye particles, to prepare four Silver halide photographic materials V, VI, VII and VIII.

(Preparation of dispersion of fine crystalline dye particles)

[0167] A 2 liter ball mill was charged with 434 ml of water and 791 ml of 6.7 % aqueous solution of surface active agent Triton-200 (TX-200), and then the following Magenta dye A was added. After 400 ml of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) beads (diameter: 2 mm) was added to the mixture, the resulting mixture was pulverized for 4 days. Thereafter, 160 g of 12,5 % aqueous gelatin was added. The resulting mixture was degassed, and then ZrO₂ beads were removed by filtration. The obtained dye dispersion was measured. According to the measurement, the diameters of pulverized dye were found to have distribution in the wide range of 0.05-1.15 µm, and the average diameter was found to be 0.37 µm.

[0168] The dye particles having the diameter of not less than 0.9 µm were removed by centrifugation to obtain the aimed dye dispersion.

(2) Evaluation of characteristics of the silver halide photographic material

[0169] The sensitivity of the photosensitive layer on one side and the cross-over were measured and calculated in the manner described in Example 1.

[0170] The measured sensitivities and the calculated values of cross-over (%) are set forth in Table 5. In Table 5, the data of Photographic materials I-IV in Example 1 are also set forth for reference.

Table 5

Photosensitive material	Sensitivity (Dmin+0.5) (lux·second)	Cross-over (%)
Material I	0.0070	20
Material II	0.0105	21
Material III	0.0140	22
Material IV	0.0250	24
Material V	0.0078	5.0
Material VI	0.0118	5.2
Material VII	0.0157	5.4
Material VIII	0.0280	6.0

(3) Evaluation of characteristics of the combinations of silver halide photographic materials exhibiting various cross-over values and radiographic intensifying screens

[0171] Various characteristics of the combinations, each comprising one of the above-described silver halide photographic materials and Radiographic intensifying screen A, were evaluated in the manner described in Example 1. The results are set forth in Table 6. In Table 6, the marks of visual estimation stand for the same meanings as used in Table 4.

Table 6

P.S. Mat.	Sens. (Dmin+1.0)	γ (0.8-1.2)	DQE		NEQ		MTF		Visual Est.
			1	3	1	3	1	3
			(lp/mm)
II	159	2.62	160	130	100	82	0.71	0.31	C
III	119	2.80	155	128	130	107	0.70	0.31	B
IV	67	2.90	158	131	236	196	0.69	0.30	A
V	180	2.60	173	135	96	75	0.78	0.38	Cz
VI	139	2.65	180	132	138	102	0.78	0.38	B
VII	100	2.80	175	140	175	140	0.77	0.37	A
VIII	55	2.90	175	135	318	245	0.77	0.37	Aa

[0172] The above data indicate the following facts:

1) If the cross-over of the silver halide photographic material is made to be less than 15 %, the obtained MTF and DQE are evidently improved while the sensitivity slightly lowers. According to the above data, obtained was the relation shown in Fig. 3 between the sensitivity of the combination and the image quality of the radiographic image of chest. Further, with respect to the combinations generally used for radiography shown in Tables 3 and 4 (i.e., the combination (9) for comparison: Super HR/HR-3, and the combination (10) for comparison: Super HR/HR-4; commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), the relations between the sensitivity and the image quality are also shown in Fig. 3 for reference.

[0173] As is evident from Fig. 3, the combination of the invention of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screen exhibits excellent characteristics in balance between the sensitivity and the image quality, as compared with the known combination of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screen generally used for radiography. In other words, the combination of the invention gives a radiographic image of better quality, under the condition that the sensitivity is kept at the same level, and on the other hand, under the condition that the image quality is kept at the same level, the radiography can be carried out at a smaller dose of X-rays.

[0174] If a silver halide photographic material showing small cross-over is applied for the combination of the invention of silver halide photographic material and radiographic intensifying screens, the above-described advantage of the invention is particularly enhanced.

[Examples for COMBINATION II]

Example 3

(1) Each of the following radiographic intensifying screens was prepared in a pair (i.e, front screen and back screen).

[0175] 

HR-3 (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

HR-4 (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

HR-8 (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

HR-12 (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

Trimax 12 (commercially available from 3M Co.)

Radiographic intensifying screen A (Sample A, which was the same as Radiographic intensifying screen A prepared in Example 1)

Radiographic intensifying screen B (Sample B, which was the same as Radiographic intensifying screen B prepared in Example 1)

(2) Evaluation of characteristics of radiographic intensifying screens

1) Measurement of X-ray absorption

[0176] The X-ray absorption was measured in the manner as described in Example 1.

[0177] The obtained values are set forth in Table 7.

2) Measurement of contrast transfer function (CTF)

[0178] The contrast tansfer function was measured in the manner as described in Example 1.

[0179] The obtained values concerning spatial frequencies of 1 line/mm and 3 lines/mm are set forth in Table 7.

3) Measurement of sensitivity

[0180] The sensitivity was measured in the manner as described in Example 1. The results are set forth in Table 7.

Table 7

screen	X-ray absorption	Sensitivity	CTF (1 lp/mm)	CTF (3 lp/mm)
HR-3 (front)	18.2 %	48	0.890	0.660
HR-3 (back)	18.2 %	48	0.889	0.660
HR-4 (front)	22.3 %	89	0.850	0.510
HR-4 (back)	23.1 %	100	0.850	0.506
HR-8 (front)	31.3 %	155	0.775	0.340
HR-8 (back)	32.2 %	170	0.763	0.336
HR-12 (front)	30.6 %	181	0.773	0.294
HR-12 (back)	42.7 %	275	0.681	0.213
Trimax 12 (front)	29.7 %	151	0.782	0.226
Trimax 12 (back)	47.3 %	245	0.643	0.191
Screen A	32.8 %	200	0.869	0.494
Screen B	43.2 %	270	0.802	0.375

(3) Each of the following silver halide photographic materials was prepared.

[0181] 

Super HR-S (commercially available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

T-Mat M2 (commercially available from Eastman Kodak)

GTU (commercially available from 3M Co.) Silver halide photographic material IX (Sample IX)

Silver halide photographic material X (Sample X)

Silver halide photographic material XI (Sample XI)

Silver halide photographic material XII (Sample XII)

1) Preparation of silver halide photographic material IX

(Preparation of fine non-tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion A)

[0182] To 1 liter of aqueous gelatin solution (gelatin content: 2 wt.%) containing 5.3 g of potassium bromide and 4 g of sodium p-toluenesulfonate were added 10 mg of sodium thiosulfate 5 hydrates, 4 g of potassium thiocyanate, and 10 cc of glacial acetic acid. To the resulting aqueous mixture were added under vigorous stirring 14 cc of aqueous solution containing 5.2 g of silver nitate and 7 cc of aqueous solution containing 1.8 g of potassium bromide and 0.33 g potassium iodide for 30 sec. according to the double jet method. To the obtained mixture was added 12 cc of aqueous solution containing 1.2 g of potassium iodide.

[0183] To the obtained solution were added 200 cc of aqueous solution containing 78 g of silver nitrate and, after 1 min., 200 cc of aqueous solution containing 50.6 g of potassium bromide and 3.65 g of potassium iodide for a total period of 15 min. To the obtained mixture was added 22 cc of aqueous ammonia solution (ammonia content: 25 wt.%). After the mixture was ripened for 10 min., to the mixture were added simultaneously an aqueous solution containing 117 g of silver nitrate and an aqueous solution containing 82.3 g of potassium bromide for the period of 14 min. These procedures were performed under the conditions that the reaction mixtures were kept at 70°C.

[0184] The obtained reaction mixture was washed by the known flocculation method, and then in the mixture were dispersed at 40°C, gelatin, a viscosity increasing agent and antiseptic. The mixture was adjusted to pH 5.6 and pAg 8.9. To the mixture kept at 55°C were added 21 mg of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene and 170 mg of the following sensitizing dye:

The obtained mixture was ripened for 10 min. To the mixture were then added successively 9 g of sodium thiosulfate 5 hydrates, 77 mg of potassium thiocyanate, and 1.6 mg of chloroauric acid. The mixture was ripened for 50 min. The ripened mixture was chilled after addition of 70 mg of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene emulsion, to obtain a fine non-tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion A.

[0185] The silver halide particles of the obtained silver halide emulsion were in the form of potatoes and had a mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area of 0.60 µm and variation coefficient of 18 %.

(Preparation of coating dispersion)

a) coating dispersion for silver halide emulsion layer

[0186] To the above-prepared fine non-tabular particle-mono-dispersed emulsion A, the following components were added in the amounts described below per 1 mol of silver halide to prepare a coating dispersion for the emulsion layer.

polymer latex (poly(ethyl acrylate/methacrylate), 97/3, weight ratio)	20.0 g
1,2-bis(vinylsulfonylacetamide)ethane [hardening agent]	2.4 g
2,6-bis(hydroxyamino)-4-diethylamino-1,3,5-triazine	76 mg
sodium polyacrylate (mean m.w.: 41,000)	2.1 g
sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (mean m.w.: 600,000)	1.0 g
dextran (mean m.w.: 39,000)	23.6 g
trimethylolpropane	9.8 g

b) coating dispersion for surface protective layer

[0187] A coating dispersion containing the following components per 1 m² was prepared:

(Support)

[0188] The surface of a biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film colored with blue dye having a thickness of 175 µm was subjected to corona discharge treatment. Then, each surface was sequentially and superposingly coated with the coating dispersions having the following components in the amounts described below (amount of each component was based on a dispersion for coating a single surface) by a wire-bar coater to form a subbing layer consisting of two sub-layers on each surface.

a) lower sub-layer of subbing layer

[0189] 

b) upper sub-layer of subbing layer (dye layer)

[0190] 

Magenta dye A

[0191] 

[0192] The above magenta dye was added to the gelatin solution after it was prepared in the form of a dispersion of microcrystalline particles according to the following method.

[0193] 20 g of the dye, 200 g of aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose solution (carboxymethyl cellulose content: 1 wt.%) and 287 g of water were mixed and processed in an Aiger Mill (Aiger Japan Co., Ltd.) for 8 hours at 5,000 r.p.m. using zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) beads. The obtained dye particles had a mean diameter of 0.37 µm.

(Photographic material)

[0194] The above-described coating dispersions for silver halide emulsion layer and for surface protective layer were simultaneously and superposingly applied on the support having subbing layers each of which had been provided on each surface. Thus, Silver halide photographic material IX, which had a silver halide emulsion layer and a surface protective layer both of which were provided on each side, was obtained. The amount of silver halide emulsion of the applied coating dispersion was 2 g/m² (amount in terms of silver metal) per one surface. The amount of gelatin of the emulsion of the surface protective layer was 1 g/m² per one surface.

2) Preparation of silver halide photographic material X

[0195] 

(Preparation of fine tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion B)

[0196] 6.0 g of potassium bromide and 5.0 g of gelatin were added to 1 liter of water, and the prepared mixture was stirred and kept at 55°C. At this temperature, 30 cc of aqueous silver nitrate solution (containing 5.5 g of silver nitrate) and 33 cc of an aqueous solution of 9.4 g of potassium bromide were added to the mixture by the double-jet method for 45 seconds. The solution was heated to 62°C, and then 60 cc of aqueous silver nitrate solution (containing 11.1 g of silver nitrate) was added for 12 minutes. To the resulting solution, 6 cc of 25 % aqueous ammonia was added. Then, the solution was settled for 5 minutes, keeping the temperature for physical-ripening. Subsequently, 5.6 cc of 100 % acetic acid was added. To the obtained solution, an aqueous solution of 150.0 g of silver nitrate and an aqueous potassium bromide solution were added by the controlled double-jet method for 25 minutes while the pAg value of the solution was kept at 8. To the obtained emulsion, 15 cc of 2 N potassium thiocyanate and silver iodide particles (diameter: 0.07 µm) were added. In this procedure, the silver iodide particles were added in the amount that the added silver was made to 0.1 mole % based on the silver content of the emulsion to be added. Then, the prepared mixture was settled for 5 min. keeping the temperature for physical-ripening. The emulsion was cooled to 35°C.

[0197] Thus, a silver halide emulsion (tabular silver bromide monodispersed emulsion, silver iodide content: 0.1 mole %, thickness: 0.12 µm, variation coefficient: 16.8 %, mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area: 0.70 µm) was obtained.

[0198] From the prepared emulsion, salts were removed by the precipitation method. After the emulsion was heated to 40°C, 41 g of gelatin, 1.4 g of phenoxyethanol and 0.8 g of sodium polystyrenesulfonate as a viscosity improver were added. The pH and pAg values of the resulting emulsion were adjusted to 5.90 and 7.90, respectively, with sodium hydroxide and aqueous silver nitrate solution.

[0199] After the above-described procedure was complete, the emulsion was chemically sensitized under stirring at 56°C in the following manner.

[0200] Silver bromide was added to the emulsion at a ratio of 0.05 mol %, and then 0.1 mg of thiourea dioxide was added. Subsequently, the emulsion was settled for 10 minutes for performing reduction sensitization. To the sensitized emulsion, 430 mg of the aforementioned sensitizing dye A, sodium thiosulfate and the following selenium sensitizing agent (sodium thiosulfate:selenium sensitizing agent=6:4, molar ratio) successively were added:

[0201] To the emulsion were added chlroroauric acid and potassium thiocyanate. The emulsion was cooled to 35°C, after 40 min. Thus, a fine tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion B was obtained.

(Photographic material)

[0202] The procedure for the preparation of the coating dispersion was performed using the above-obtained fine tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion B in place of the fine non-tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion A used for the preparation of Silver halide photographic material IX. The coating dispersions for silver halide emulsion layer and for surface protective layer were then simultaneously and superposingly applied on the support having subbing layers each of which had been provided on each surface. Thus, Silver halide photographic material X, which had a silver halide emulsion layer and a surface protective layer both of which were provided on each side, was obtained. The amount of silver halide emulsion of the applied coating dispersion was 1.5 g/m² (amount in terms of silver metal) per one surface.

3) Preparation of Silver halide photographic material XI

(Preparation of tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion C)

[0203] 4.5 g of potassium bromide, 20.6 g of gelatin and 2.5 cc of aqueous thioether solution (HO(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₂OH, content: 5%) were added to 1 liter of water, and the prepared mixture was stirred at 65°C. At the temperature, an aqueous silver nitrate solution (containing 3.43 g of silver nitrate) and an aqueous solution containing 2.97 g of potassium bromide and 0.36 g of potassium iodide were added to the mixture by the double-jet method for 7 seconds. To the resulting mixture was added 0.1 mg of thiourea having the following formula:

        (H₂N)(HN=)CSO₂H

[0204] The solution was heated to 70°C, and to the solution was added 18 cc of 25 % aqueous ammonia. The mixture was neutralized by addition of 17 cc of 100 % acetic acid. To the mixture was then added an aqueous silver nitrate solution (silver nitrate content: 133.4 g) by the controlled double-jet method for 35 min., keeping the potential at pAg 8.2. The flow rate was adjusted to increase 2.6 times from the starting time to the termination of the addition. After the addition was complete, to the mixture were added 15 cc of 2 N aqueous potassium thiocyanate, and further 38.5 g of 1 % aqueous potassium iodide solution for 30 min. Thereafter, the mixture was cooled to 35°C, and soluble salts were removed by the precipitation method. The mixture was then heated to 40°C, and gelatin and phenoxyethanol were added. The mixture was then adjusted by addition of sodium hydroxide and potassium bromide to pH 6.50 and pAg 8.20. The mixture was subsequently heated to 56°C, and 0.05 mg of thiourea dioxide. The mixture was then stirred for 20 min., and 154 mg of 4-hydroxy-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene was added. After 10 min., to the mixture were added 500 mg of the aforementioned sensitizing dye A and after 5 min., 1.44 g of sodium chloride. After additional 10 min., 3.3 mg of sodium thiosulfate 5 hydrates, 18 mg of potassium thiocyanate and 2 mg of chloroauric acid were added. After lapse of additional 70 min., the mixture was rapidly chilled to become a solid. Thus, a tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion C was obtained.

[0205] The obtained a silver halide emulsion C had the following characteristics: mean thickness: 0.200 µm, variation coefficient (standard deviation): 22.3 %, mean diameter of the circle corresponding to the projected area: 1.35 µm, aspect ratio: 6.8.

(Photographic material)

[0206] The procedure for the preparation of the coating dispersion was performed using the above-obtained tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion C in place of the fine non-tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion A used for the preparation of Silver halide photographic material IX. The coating dispersions for silver halide emulsion layer and for surface protective layer were then simultaneously and superposingly applied on the support having subbing layers each of which had been provided on each surface. Thus, Silver halide photographic material XI, which had a silver halide emulsion layer and a surface protective layer both of which were provided on each side, was obtained.

4) Preparation of Silver halide photographic material XII

[0207] The procedure of the preparation of Silver halide photographic material IV was repeated except that the magenta dye was not incorporated into the upper sub-layer of the subbing layer to obtain Silver halide photographic material XII. In the procedure for the preparation of fine non-tabular particle-monodispersed emulsion, however, the following magenta dye B was added to the emulsion to give a coating amount of 20 mg/m^2, so that increase of the cross-over (namely, increase of sensitivity) which would be caused by the removal of the dye layer is suppressed to give the same sensitivity as that of Silver halide photographic material IX.

(4) Evaluation of characteristics of the silver halide photographic materials

1) Measurement of sensitivity

[0208] The sensitivity of the sample material was measured in the manner as described in Example 1.

2) Measurement of cross-over

[0209] The cross-over was measured in the manner as descirbed in Example 1.

[0210] The calculated values of cross-over (%) are set forth in Table 8.

Table 8

Photosensitive material	Sensitivity (Dmin+0.5) (lux·second)	Cross-over (%)
Super HRS	0.0076	18
T-Mat M2	0.0055	3.0
GTU	0.0093	16
Material IX	0.0135	5.3
Material X	0.0240	5.0
Material XI	0.0068	5.3
Material XII	0.0175	28

(5) Evaluation of characteristics of the combinations of silver halide photographic materials and radiographic intensifying screens

1) Measurement of sensitivity and gamma

[0211] The sensitivity and gamma were measured in the manner as described in Example 1.

2) Measurement of MTF

[0212] MTF was measured in the manner as described in Example 1.

3) Measurement of Noise power spectrum (NPS₀(ν))

[0213] The noise power specturm was measured in the manner as described in Example 1.

4) Calculation of NEQ

[0214] NEQ was calculated in the manner as described in Example 1.

5) Calculation of DQE

[0215] DQE was calculated in the manner as described in Example 1.

6) Visual estimation

[0216] The visual estimation was performed in the manner as in described in Example 1.

[0217] The quality of the obtained image of the chest phantom was visually estimated mainly from the viewpoint of clinical recognizability of veins in lung. The results were expressed by the marks A, B, C and D which mean "excellent", "good", "recognizable" and "not recognizable", respectively. Further, more detailed estimation was expressed using small letters "a" and "z". For instance, if two images each of which quality was assigned to the same mark A have slightly different qualities, the better one was expressed by Aa and the worse was by Az.

[0218] The results of the above measurements are set forth in Tables 9 and 10.

Table 9

No.	Photosensitive Material/Screen	Sens.of Photosensitive Material (lux·second)	Cross-Over (%)	X-ray abs. of Screen (front/back) (%)

Combination of the invention
1	P.M. IX /HR-8	0.0135	3.6	31.3/32.2
2	P.M. X /HR-8	0.0240	3.0	31.3/32.2
3	P.M. IX /Screen A	0.0135	3.6	32.8/32.8
4	P.M. X /Screen A	0.0240	3.0	32.8/32.8
5	P.M. X /Screen B	0.0240	3.0	43.2/43.2
6	P.M. X /HR-12	0.0240	3.0	30.6/42.7

Combination for comparison
7	Super HRS/HR-3	0.0076	18	18.2/18.2
8	Super HRS/HR-4	0.0076	18	22.3/23.1
9	Super HRS/HR-8	0.0076	18	31.3/32.2
10	P.M. XI /HR-8	0.0068	3.6	31.3/32.2
11	P.M. XI /HR-4	0.0068	3.6	22.3/23.1
12	P.M. XII /HR-8	0.0175	28	31.3/32.2
13	T-Mat M2/HR-4	0.0055	3.0	22.3/23.1
14	T-Mat M2/HR-8	0.0055	3.0	31.3/32.2
15	GT /HR-8	0.0093	16	31.3/32.2
16	GT /Traimax 12	0.0093	16	29.7/47.3

Table 10

No.	Sens. (Dmin+1.0)	γ (0.8-1.2)	DQE		NEQ		MTF		Visual Est.
			1	3	1	3	1	3
			(lp/mm)

Combination of the invention
1	87	2.90	158	105	181	121	0.70	0.27	B
2	48	2.90	161	109	335	227	0.71	0.27	A
3	100	2.90	173	132	173	132	0.77	0.37	A
4	55	2.90	179	135	325	245	0.77	0.37	Aa
5	66	2.90	186	115	281	174	0.72	0.28	A
6	73	2.90	170	56	233	77	0.65	0.15	Ca

Combination for comparison
7	55	2.55	72	89	131	162	0.82	0.51	Ca
8	100	2.55	100	100	100	100	0.75	0.37	C
9	180	2.55	148	93	82	52	0.65	0.23	D
10	180	2.70	155	100	86	56	0.70	0.27	C
11	100	2.70	105	110	105	110	0.78	0.40	Cz
12	88	2.90	125	60	142	68	0.67	0.21	C
13	117	2.92	110	113	94	97	0.84	0.48	Cz
14	219	2.90	147	95	67	43	0.70	0.28	D
15	155	2.88	129	64	83	41	0.67	0.24	C
16	204	2.90	197	56	97	28	0.61	0.16	D

[0219] The above data inidcate the following facts:

1) The combinations (1) and (2) according to the present invention show DQE 1.5 to 2.1 times as high as the combinations (7) and (8) for comparison. Further, the combinations (1) and (2) show well balanced image quality and sensitivity.

2) The combinations (3) and (4) utilizing the specifically prepared Radiographic intensifying screen A, which embody the present invention, show slight increase of DQE (1 lp/mm) and prominent increase of DQE (3 lp/mm), as compared with the combinations (3) and (4) which also embody the invention. Further, the combinations (3) and (4) show improvement of the sensitivity, NEQ and MTF, and further are superior in visual recognizability of the obtained radiographic image, particulary in visual recognizability of the shadow of veins to the combinations (1) and (2).

3) The combination (5) of the invention utilizing the specifically prepared Radiographic intensifying screen B is further superior to the above-described combinations of the invention, particularly in the visual recognizability of the obtained radiographic image and gives less roughness in the image.

4) The combination (6) of the invention is extremely excellent in graininess of the radiographic image. In the observation of the obtained radiographic image, some dim is noted in the vein image. However, the dim observed in this case is low and gives no disturbance to the practical clinical examination.

5) The combination (9) for comparison shows DQE which is similar to these shown by the combinations of (1) and (2) according to the invention. However, it shows low MTF. Further, the observation of the radiographic image indicates that unfavorable dim and roughness are noticeably present. As a result, the obtained radiographic image is not utilizable for clinical examination.

6) The combinations (10) and (14) for comparison utilizing a photographic material showing high sensitivity and low cross-over and a radiographic intensifying screen capable of absorbing a large amount of X-rays shows high MTF. However, there is shown extreme roughness in the radiographic image, because the sensitivity given by the combination is too high. As a result, the obtained radiographic image is not utilizable for clinical examination.

7) The combinations (11) and (13) for comparison utilizing a photographic material showing high sensitivity and low cross-over and a radiographic intensifying screen absorbing a small amount of X-rays shows high MTF. However, DQE and NEQ are low. Further, there is shown extreme roughness in the radiographic image. As a result, the obtained radiographic image is not utilizable for clinical examination.

8) The combination (12) for comparison utilizing a photographic material showing cross-over more than that shown by the combination of the invention gives low MTF because of dim occurring due to cross-over. DQE and NEQ at 3 lp/mm are low. Further, the dim appearing in the radiographic image disturbs the clinical examination.

9) The combinations (15) and (16) for comparison utilizing the photographic material showing cross-over higher than the upper limit of the invention shows low MTF, while the sensitivity is high. The obtained radiographic image shows poor image quality, as compared with the radiographic image given by the combinations (1) and (2) according to the invention, and is not satisfactory.

Example 4

(1) Preparation of silver halide photographic materials XIII, XIV, XV and XVI

[0220] The procedure of the preparation of Silver halide photographic material in Example 3 was repeated except that the upper sub-layer (i.e.., dye layer) of the subbing layer of the support was formed by coating the dispersion of fine crystalline dye particles in the combination of magenta dye B and mordant C set forth in the following Table 11, to prepare four Silver halide photographic materials XIII, XIV, XV and XVI.

(Mordant C was prepared by incorporating acrylic acid into a dispersion of the above-mentioned mordant under the condition that the amount of the incorporated -COOH group was 1/2 of the total nitorgen amount of the mordant, and then performing polymerization reaction.)

(2) Measurement of characteristics of the silver halide photographic material

[0221] The sensitivity of one photosensitive layer and the cross-over of the sample material were measured in the manner as described in Example 1.

[0222] The calculated values of cross-over (%) are set forth in Table 12.

Table 12

Photosensitive material	Sensitivity (Dmin+0.5) (lux·second)	Cross-over (%)
Material IX	0.0135	5.3
Material XIII	0.0133	16
Material XIV	0.0136	10
Material XV	0.0135	5.5
Material XVI	0.0134	4.2

[0223] It is confirmed that the photosensitive layers on one side of the photographic mateirals IX, XIII, XIV, XV and XVI show almost the same sensitivity. Accordingly, the dyes employed are well fixed in the dye layer (upper sublayer). The photographic material XV shows cross-over at almost the same level as the photographic mateial IX. Accordingly, the magenta dye B should be coated on one surface of the photographic material at the coating amount of 160 mg/m² .

(3) Photographic material of XV showing the cross-over at almost the same level as Photographic material IX was further examined with respect to the sensitivity and obtainable image quality, utilizing Radiographic intensifying screen A ,according to the methods stated in Example 1.

[0224] It has been revealed that the tested combination of Photographic material XV and Radiographic intensifying screen A shows the almost same sensitivity, MTF, DQE and NEQ as the combination of Photographic material IX and Radiographic intensifying screen A. Accordingly, various dyes can be employed for reducing the cross-over without

[0225] imparting adverse effect to sensitivity and image quality.

(4) Residual colors in Photographic materials IX, XIII, XIV, XV and XVI were examined in the following method.

[0226] The photographic material was cut to give a sheet of 24 cm x 30 cm. The photographic material having been not exposed was developed in the following two develping apparata of roller-conveyor type.

1) Automatic Developer FPM-5000 (available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

[0227] 

Deveoping Solution RDIII (Developing solution A)
   Development time 25 sec., Temperature 35°C

Fixing Solution F
   Fixing time 20 sec., Temperature 25°C

Washing
   Washing time 12 sec., Temperature 25°C

Drying
   Drying time 26 sec., Temperature 55°C

(Total time for processing: 90 sec.)

2) Automatic Developer FPM-9000 (available from Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)

[0228] 

High active developing solution (Developing solution A in which the content of 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolone was changed to 2.4 g/l.)
   Development time 13.7 sec., Temperature 35°C

Fixing Solution F
   Fixing time 10.6 sec., Temperature 25°C

Washing
   Washing time 6.2 sec., Temperature 25°C

Drying
   Drying time 14.1 sec., Temperature 55°C

(Total time for processing: 45 sec.)

The residual color on the developed photographic material was observed. The results are set forth in Table 13.

Table 13

Photosensitive material	FPM-5000 (90 sec.)	FPM-9000 (45 sec.)
Material IX	A	B
Material XIII	B	E
Material XIV	Ca	D
Material XV	C	D
Material XVI	D	D
Remarks: A means that no residual color was observed. B means that slight but non-disturbing resiual color was observed. C means that some but allowable residual color was observed. (Ca is less in the residual color than C.) D means that disturbing residual color was observed.

[0229] The experimental data set forth in Table 13 indicate that Photogrpahic material IX having the fine crystalline solid dye in the dye layer gives the most superior image. Further, it is confirmed that Photographic material IX gives only slight residual color (which is well acceptable in practice) in the rapid 45 sec. processing.

Example 5

(1) Preparation of Photographic materials XVII, XVIII and XIX

[0230] The procedures of Example 3 were repeated except that the photosensitive emulsion A (fine non-tabular particle monodispersed emulsion A) and the photosensitive emulsion C (tabular particle emulsion C) were employed in the combination set forth in Table 14 to form a double coated photosensitive layer, to give three photographic materials, namely, Photographic materials XVII, XVIII and XIX.

Table 14

Photosensitive material	Upper photo. layer (Emulsion C)	Lower photo. layer (Emulsion A)
Material IX	--	2,000 mg/m2
Material XVII	100 mg/m2	2,000 mg/m2
Material XVIII	200 mg/m2	2,000 mg/m2
Material XIX	400 mg/m2	2,000 mg/m2
Remark: The amount set forth in Table 14 indicates the amount of silver coated on one surface.

(2) Measurement of characteristics of silver halide photographic material

[0231] 

1) In the manner as described in Example 1, the sample photographic material was sandwiched with two radiographic intensifying screens A. The step exposure at log E = 0.15 was carried out, and the photographic material was developed. The developed photographic material was measured in its density to give a characteristic curve. From the obtained characteristic curve, the sensivity at D_min + 1.0, average gamma (γ₁) obtained from the point at D_min + 0.1 and the point at D_min + 0.5, and average gamma (γ₂) obtained from the point at D_min + 1.2 and the point at D_min + 1.6 were obtained. The results are set forth in Table 15.

2) In the same manner as in Example 1, the chest phantom was exposed to X-rays at 100 KVp, using the sample photographic materials and the radiographic intensifying screen A. Because the combination gave different sensitivity, the exposure period was changed to give a lung field image of the same density (approx. 1.6). The development was performed in Automatic Developing Apparatus FPM-5000 under the same conditions as in Example 1.

[0232] The obtained radiographic images were checked by observation. The visual recognizability of the images on the shadow of veins and structure of mediastinum was marked in the following manner:

A: prominently good (Az is relatively lower than A),

B: good

C: not good but can be used in clinical examination

D: bad and cannot be used in clinical examination

Table 15

Photosensitive material / Intensifying screen	Sensitivity (Dmin+1.0)	γ1	γ2	Images of
				Lung Field	Mediastinum
IX / A	100	1.30	4.2	A	C
XVII / A	102	1.00	3.8	A	C
XVIII / A	110	0.75	3.6	A	B
XIX / A	118	0.55	3.4	Az	A

[0233] From the results shown in Table 15, it is understood that the deposition of a small amount of the tabular particle emulsion C over the photosensitive layer brings about enlargement of latitude at the toe part and further gives an increased amount of information on mediastinum without lowering discrimination of image of shadow of veins. The combination of Photographic material XVIII and Intensifying screen A, as well as the combination of Photographic material XIX and Intensifying screen A give less roughness, as compared with the combination of Photographic material IX and Intensifying screen A. Accordingly, it can be said that the last two combinations give radiographic image of the highest quality.

Claims

1. A combination for forming a radiographic image comprising a silver halide photographic material and two radiographic intensifying screens, one of which is placed on the front of said photographic material and the other of which is on the back;
wherein

1) at least one of said intensifying screens absorbs X-rays of 80 KV_p in an amount of not less than 25 % and shows contrast transfer function values of at least 0.79 and at least 0.36 at spatial frequencies of 1 lp/mm and of 3 lp/mm, respectively; and

2) said photographic material has silver halide photosensitive layers one of which is provided on the front of its support and another of which is on the back; and at least one of said photosensitive layers has such a sensitivity that 0.010-0.035 lux·second of exposure dose is required to obtain an image having a density of 0.5 more than the minimum density thereon, said density being determined by the steps of: exposing the photosensitive layer of the photographic material to monochromatic light of which wavelength is the same as the main emission wavelength of the intensifying screen defined in the above 1) and of which half width is 15±5 nm, developing at 35°C for 25 seconds in the developing solution comprising the following:

potassium hydroxide	21 g
potassium sulfite	63 g
boric acid	10 g
hydroquinone	25 g
triethylene glycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0.2 g
glacial acetic acid	10 g
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone	1.2 g
5-methylbenztriazole	0.05 g
glutaraldehyde	5 g
potassium bromide	4 g
water to adjust the volume to 1 liter, the pH value being adjusted to 10.02,

removing the photosensitive layer on the side reverse to the exposed side and then measuring the density of the remaining photosensitive layer.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the radiographic intensifying screen defined in the above 1) comprises a protective layer to face the silver halide photographic material, a phosphor layer and a support layer provided in this order, said protective layer being a transparent synthetic resin layer which has a thickness of not more than 5 µm and is formed by coating on the phosphor layer.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein not more than 15 % of the light emitted by the intensifying screen placed on the front side of the silver halide photographic material reaches the photosensitive layer on the back of said silver halide photographic material as cross-over light.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein a dye layer which comprises hydrophilic colloid and is decolorized by the developing process defined in the above 2) is provided between the support and at least one of the photosensitive layers in the silver halide photographic material.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the dye layer of the silver halide photographic material comprises fine crystalline dye particles.

6. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the radiographic intensifying screens placed on the front and on the back has the characteristics defined in the above 1).

7. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the photosensitive layers provided on the front and the back has the characteristics defined in the above 2).

8. A combination for forming a radiographic image comprising a silver halide photographic material and two radiographic intensifying screens, one of which is placed on the front of said photographic material and the other of which is on the back;
wherein

1) at least one of said intensifying screens absorbs X-rays of 80 KV_p in an amount of not less than 25 %;

2) said photographic material has silver halide photosensitive layers one of which is provided on the front of its support and another of which is on the back; and at least one of said photosensitive layers has such a sensitivity that 0.010-0.035 lux·second of exposure dose is required to obtain an image having a density of 0.5 more than the minimum density thereon, said density being determined by the steps of: exposing the photosensitive layer of the photographic material to monochromatic light of which wavelength is the same as the main emission wavelength of the intensifying screen defined in the above 1) and of which half width is 15±5 nm, developing at 35°C for 25 seconds in the developing solution comprising the following:

potassium hydroxide	21 g
potassium sulfite	63 g
boric acid	10 g
hydroquinone	25 g
triethylene glycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0.2 g
glacial acetic acid	10 g
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone	1.2 g
5-methylbenztriazole	0.05 g
glutaraldehyde	5 g
potassium bromide	4 g
water to adjust the volume to 1 liter, the pH value being adjusted to 10.02,

peeling off the photosensitive layer provided on the reverse side of the exposed face and then measuring the density of the remaining photosensitive layer; and

3) not more than 10 % of the light emitted by the intensifying screen placed on the front side of the silver halide photographic material reaches the photosensitive layer on the back of said silver halide photographic material as cross-over light.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said radiographic intensifying screen defined in the above 1) shows contrast transfer function values of at least 0.79 and at least 0.36 at spatial frequencies of 1 lp/mm and of 3 lp/mm, respectively.

10. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the radiographic intensifying screen defined in the above 1) comprises a protective layer to face the silver halide photographic material, a phosphor layer and a support layer provided in this order, said protective layer being a transparent synthetic resin layer which has a thickness of not more than 5 µm and is formed by coating on the phosphor layer.

11. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein a dye layer which comprises hydrophilic colloid and is decolorized by the developing process defined in the above 2) is provided between the support and at least one of the photosensitive layers in the silver halide photographic material.

12. The combination as defined in claim 11, wherein the dye layer of the silver halide photographic material comprises fine crystalline dye particles.

13. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the silver halide photographic material gives an exposure image having the following characteristic curve after step-wise exposing the photographic material to X-rays and developing the photographic material under the conditions described in the above : the characteristic curve having a mean gamma between the point of the density thicker than the minimum density by 0.1 and the point of the the density thicker than the minimum density by 0.5 within the range of 0.5-0.9, and a mean gamma between the point of D_min+1.2 and the point of D_min+1.6 within the range of 3.2-4.0; said characteristic curve being drawn on the rectangular coordinate in which the unit length of the axis of optical density is the same as that of the axis of exposure.

14. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein each of the radiographic intensifying screens placed on the front and on the back has the characteristics defined in the above 1).

15. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein each of the photosensitive layers provided on the front and the back has the characteristics defined in the above 2).

16. A silver halide photographic material for the use in combination with a radiographic intensifying screen, which has silver halide photosensitive layers one of which is provided on the front of its support and another of which is on the back; and at least one of said photosensitive layers has such a sensitivity that 0.010-0.035 lux·second of exposure dose is required to obtain an image having a density of 0.5 more than the minimum density thereon, said density being determined by the steps of: exposing the photosensitive layer of the photographic material to monochromatic light of which wavelength is the same as the main emission wavelength of the intensifying screen to be used in combination and of which half width is 15±5 nm, developing at 35°C for 25 seconds in the developing solution comprising the following:

potassium hydroxide	21 g
potassium sulfite	63 g
boric acid	10 g
hydroquinone	25 g
triethylene glycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0.2 g
glacial acetic acid	10 g
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone	1.2 g
5-methylbenztriazole	0.05 g
glutaraldehyde	5 g
potassium bromide	4 g
water to adjust the volume to 1 liter, the pH value being adjusted to 10.02,

removing the photosensitive layer on the side reverse to the exposed side and then measuring the density of the remaining photosensitive layer, wherein not more than 15 % of the light emitted by the intensifying screen placed on the front side thereof reaches the photosensitive layer on the back side thereof as cross-over light, and
which gives an exposure image having the following characteristic curve after stepwise exposing the photographic material to X-rays and developing the material under the conditions described in the above: the characteristic curve having the mean gamma between the point of the density thicker than the minimum density by 0.1 and the point of the density thicker than the minimum density by 0.5 within the range of 0.5-0.9, and the mean gamma between the point of D_min+1.2 and the point of D_min + 1.6 within the range of 3.2-4.0; said characteristic curve being drawn on the rectangular coordinate in which the unit length of the axis of optical density is the same as that of the axis of exposure.

17. The silver halide photographic material as defined in claim 16, wherein a dye layer which comprises hydrophilic colloid and is decolorized by the developing process defined in claim 16 is provided between the support and at least one of the photosensitive layers in the silver halide photographic material.

18. The silver halide photographic material as defined in claim 17, wherein the dye layer of the silver halide photographic material comprises fine crystalline dye particles.

19. The silver halide photographic material as defined in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein not more than 10 % of the light emitted by the intensifying screen placed on the front side of the silver halide photographic material reaches the photosensitive layer on the back of said silver halide photographic material as cross-over light.

Ansprüche

1. Kombination zur Erzeugung eines radiographischen Abbilds, die ein photographisches Silberhalogenid-Material und zwei radiographische Verstärkerschirme, von denen einer an der Vorderseite des photographischen Materials und der andere an der Rückseite des photographischen Materials angeordnet ist, aufweist,
wobei

1) mindestens einer der Verstärkerschirme Röntgenstrahlen von 80 KV_p in einer Menge von nicht weniger als 25 % absorbiert und Kontrastübertragungsfunktionswerte von mindestens 0,79 und mindestens 0,36 bei räumlichen Häufigkeiten von 1 lp/mm bzw. von 3 lp/mm zeigt, und

2) das photographische Material lichtempfindliche Silberhalogenid-Schichten, von denen eine an der Vorderseite ihres Trägers und eine andere von ihnen an der Rückseite vorgesehen ist, hat, und wobei mindestens eine der lichtempfindlichen Schichten eine solche Empfindlichkeit hat, daß eine Expositionsdosis von 0,010 bis 0,035 Lux·Sekunde erforderlich ist, um darauf ein Abbild mit einer Dichte von 0,5 über der Minimaldichte zu erhalten, wobei die Dichte bestimmt wird durch folgende Schritte: Exponieren der lichtempfindlichen Schicht des photographischen Materials monochromatischem Licht, dessen Wellenlänge dieselbe ist wie die Hauptemissionswellenlänge des vorstehend unter 1) definierten Verstärkerschirms und dessen Halbwertsbreite 15±5 nm ist, Entwickeln bei 35°C für 25 Sekunden in der Entwicklerlösung, welche das folgende enthält:

Kaliumhydroxid	21 g
Kaliumsulfit	63 g
Borsäure	10 g
Hydrochinon	25 g
Triethylenglycol	20 g
5-Nitroindazol	0,2 g
Eisessig	10 g
1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidon	1,2 g
5-Methylbenztriazol	0,05 g
Glutaraldehyd	5 g
Kaliumbromid	4 g
Wasser zur Einstellung des Volumens auf 1 Liter, wobei der pH-Wert auf 10,02 eingestellt wird,

Entfernen der lichtempfindlichen Schicht auf der der exponierten Seite entgegengesetzten Seite, und dann Messen der Dichte der verbleibenden

lichtempfindlichen Schicht.

2. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, bei der der vorstehend unter 1) definierte radiographische Verstärkerschirm eine dem photographischen Silberhalogenid-Material zugewandte Schutzschicht, eine Leuchtstoffschicht und eine Trägerschicht, die in dieser Reihenfolge vorgesehen sind, aufweist, wobei die Schutzschicht eine transparente Kunstharz-Schicht ist, die eine Dicke von nicht mehr als 5 µm hat und durch Auftragen auf der Leuchtstoffschicht ausgebildet wurde.

3. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, bei der nicht mehr als 15 % des von dem an der Vorderseite des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials angeordneten Verstärkerschirm emittierten Lichts die lichtempfindliche Schicht an der Rückseite des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials als Durchquerungslicht erreicht.

4. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, bei der eine Farbstoffschicht, die ein hydrophiles Kolloid aufweist und durch das vorstehend unter 2) definierte Entwicklungsverfahren verfärbt wird, zwischen dem Träger und mindestens einer der lichtempfindlichen Schichten in dem photographischen Silberhalogenid-Material vorgesehen ist.

5. Kombination nach Anspruch 4, bei der die Farbstoffschicht des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials feinkristalline Farbstoffteilchen aufweist.

6. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, bei der jeder der an der Vorderseite und an der Rückseite angeordneten radiographischen Verstärkerschirme die vorstehend unter 1) definierten charakteristischen Merkmale hat.

7. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, bei der jede der an der Vorderseite und der Rückseite vorgesehenen lichtempfindlichen Schichten die vorstehend unter 2) definierten charakteristischen Merkmale hat.

8. Kombination zur Erzeugung eines radiographischen Abbilds, die ein photographisches Silberhalogenid-Material und zwei radiographische Verstärkerschirme, von denen einer an der Vorderseite und der andere an der Rückseite des photographischen Materials angeordnet ist, aufweist,
wobei

1) mindestens einer der Verstärkerschirme Röntgenstrahlen von 80 KV_p in einer Menge von nicht weniger als 25 % absorbiert,

2) das photographische Material lichtempfindliche Silberhalogenid-Schichten, von denen eine an der Vorderseite ihres Trägers und eine andere von ihnen an der Rückseite vorgesehen ist, hat, und wobei mindestens eine der lichtempfindlichen Schichten eine solche Empfindlichkeit hat, daß eine Expositionsdosis von 0,010 bis 0,035 Lux·Sekunde erforderlich ist, um darauf ein Abbild mit einer Dichte von 0,5 über der Minimaldichte zu erhalten, wobei die Dichte bestimmt wird durch die folgenden Schritte: Exponieren der lichtempfindlichen Schicht des photographischen Materials monochromatischem Licht, dessen Wellenlänge dieselbe ist wie die Hauptemissionswellenlänge des vorstehend unter 1) definierten Verstärkerschirms und dessen Halbwertsbreite 15±5 nm ist, Entwickeln bei 35°C für 25 Sekunden in der Entwicklerlösung, welche das folgende enthält:

Kaliumhydroxid	21 g
Kaliumsulfit	63 g
Borsäure	10 g
Hydrochinon	25 g
Triethylenglycol	20 g
5-Nitroindazol	0,2 g
Eisessig	10 g
1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidon	1,2 g
5-Methylbenztriazol	0,05 g
Glutaraldehyd	5 g
Kaliumbromid	4 g
Wasser zur Einstellung des Volumens auf 1 Liter, wobei der pH-Wert auf 10,02 eingestellt wird,

Ablösen der an der Rückseite der exponierten Seite vorgesehenen lichtempfindlichen Schicht, und dann Messen der Dichte der verbleibenden lichtempfindlichen Schicht, und

3) nicht mehr als 10% des von dem an der Vorderseite des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials angeordneten Verstärkerschirm emittierten Lichts die lichtempfindliche Schicht an der Rückseite des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials als Durchquerungslicht erreicht.

9. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, bei der der vorstehend unter 1) definierte radiographische Verstärkerschirm Kontrastübertragungfunktionswerte von mindestens 0,79 und mindestens 0,36 bei einer räumlichen Häufigkeit von 1 lp/mm bzw. von 3 lp/mm zeigt.

10. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, bei der der vorstehend unter 1) definierte radiographische Verstärkerschirm eine dem photographischen Silberhalogenid-Material zugewandte Schutzschicht, eine Leuchtstoffschicht und eine Trägerschicht, die in dieser Reihenfolge vorgesehen sind, aufweist, wobei die Schutzschicht eine transparente Kunstharzschicht ist, die eine Dicke von nicht mehr als 5 µm hat und durch Auftragen auf die Leuchtstoffschicht ausgebildet wird.

11. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, bei der eine Farbstoffschicht, die hydrophiles Kolloid aufweist und durch das vorstehend unter 2) definierte Entwicklungsverfahren verfärbt wird, zwischen dem Träger und mindestens einer der lichtempfindlichen Schichten in dem photographischen Silberhalogenid-Material vorgesehen ist.

12. Kombination nach Anspruch 11, bei der die Farbstoffschicht des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials feinkristalline Farbstoffteilchen aufweist.

13. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, bei der das photographische Silberhalogenid-Material ein Expositions-Abbild mit der folgenden Kennlinie nach schrittweiser Röntgenstrahl-Exposition des photographischen Materials und Entwicklung des photographischen Materials unter den vorstehend beschriebenen Bedingungen ergibt: die Kennlinie hat einen Gamma-Mittelwert zwischen dem Punkt der Dichte, der um 0,1 dichter ist als die Minimaldichte, und dem Punkt der Dichte, der um 0,5 dichter ist als die Minimaldichte, in dem Bereich von 0,5 bis 0,9, und einen Gamma-Mittelwert zwischen dem Punkt D_min + 1,2 und dem Punkt D_min + 1,6 in dem Bereich von 3,2 bis 4,0, wobei die Kennlinie in dem rechtwinkligen Koordinatensystem, in dem die Längeneinheit der Achse der optischen Dichte dieselbe ist wie die der Achse der Exposition, aufgetragen ist.

14. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, bei der jeder der an der Vorderseite und an der Rückseite angeordneten Verstärkerschirme die vorstehend unter 1) definierten charakteristischen Merkmale hat.

15. Kombination nach Anspruch 8, bei der jede der an der Vorderseite und der Rückseite vorgesehenen lichtempfindlichen Schichten die vorstehend unter 2) definierten charakteristischen Merkmale hat.

16. Photographisches Silberhalogenid-Material zur Verwendung in Kombination mit einem radiographischen Verstärkerschirm, das lichtempfindliche Silberhalogenid-Schichten hat, von denen eine an der Vorderseite ihres Trägers und eine andere an der Rückseite vorgesehen ist, und mindestens eine der lichtempfindlichen Schichten hat eine solche Empfindlichkeit, daß eine Expositionsdosis von 0,010 bis 0,035 Lux·Sekunde erforderlich ist, um darauf ein Abbild mit einer Dichte von 0,5 über der Minimaldichte zu erhalten, wobei die Dichte bestimmt wird durch die folgenden Schritte: Exponieren der lichtempfindlichen Schicht des photographischen Materials monochromatischem Licht, dessen Wellenlänge dieselbe ist wie die Hauptemissionswellenlänge des in Kombination zu verwendenden Verstärkerschirms und dessen Halbwertsbreite 15±5 nm beträgt, Entwickeln bei 35°C für 25 Sekunden in der Entwicklerlösung, die das folgende enthält:

Kaliumhydroxid	21 g
Kaliumsulfit	63 g
Borsäure	10 g
Hydrochinon	25 g
Triethylenglycol	20 g
5-Nitroindazol	0,2 g
Eisessig	10 g
1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidon	1,2 g
5-Methylbenztriazol	0,05 g
Glutaraldehyd	5 g
Kaliumbromid	4 g
Wasser zur Einstellung des Volumens auf 1 Liter, wobei der pH-Wert auf 10,02 eingestellt wird,

Entfernen der lichtempfindlichen Schicht an der der exponierten Seite entgegengesetzten Seite und dann Messen der Dichte der verbleibenden lichtempfindlichen Schicht, wobei nicht mehr als 15 % des von dem an seiner Vorderseite angeordneten Verstärkerschirm emittierten Lichts als Durchquerungslicht die lichtempfindliche Schicht an seiner Rückseite erreicht, und
das nach schrittweiser Röntgenstrahl-Exposition des photographischen Materials und Entwicklung des Materials unter den vorstehend beschriebenen Bedingungen ein Expositions-Abbild mit der folgenden Kennlinie ergibt: die Kennlinie hat den Gamma-Mittelwert zwischen dem Punkt, der um 0,1 dichter ist als die Minimaldichte, und dem Punkt, der um 0,5 dichter ist als die Minimaldichte, in dem Bereich von 0,5 bis 0,9, und den Gamma-Mittelwert zwischen dem Punkt D_min + 1,2 und dem Punkt D_min + 1,6 in dem Bereich von 3,2-4,0, wobei die Kennlinie in dem rechtwinkligen Koordinatensystem, in dem die Längeneinheit der Achse der optischen Dichte dieselbe ist wie die der Expositions-Achse, aufgetragen ist.

17. Photographisches Silberhalogenid-Material nach Anspruch 16, bei dem eine Farbstoffschicht, die hydrophiles Kolloid aufweist und durch das in Anspruch 16 angegebene Entwicklungsverfahren verfärbt wird, zwischen dem Träger und mindestens einer der lichtempfindlichen Schichten in dem photographischen Silberhalogenid-Material vorgesehen ist.

18. Photographisches Silberhalogenid-Material nach Anspruch 17, bei dem die Farbstoffschicht des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials feinkristalline Farbstoffteilchen aufweist.

19. Photographisches Silberhalogenid-Material nach einem der Ansprüche 16 bis 18, bei dem nicht mehr als 10% des von dem an der Vorderseite des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials angeordneten Verstärkerschirm emittierten Lichts die lichtempfindliche Schicht an der Rückseite des photographischen Silberhalogenid-Materials als Durchquerungslicht erreicht.

Revendications

1. Combinaison pour former une image radiographique comprenant un matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent et deux écrans renforçateurs radiographiques, dont l'un est placé sur l'avant dudit matériau photographique et dont l'autre est placé sur l'arrière ; caractérisée en ce que

1) au moins un desdits écrans renforçateurs absorbe les rayons X de 80 kV_p selon une quantité qui n'est pas inférieure à 25% et présente des valeurs de fonction de transfert de contraste d'au moins 0,79 et au moins 0,36 à des fréquences spatiales de 1 ligne/mm et de 3 lignes/mm, respectivement ; et

2) ledit matériau photographique a des couches photosensibles à l'halogénure d'argent dont l'une est prévue sur l'avant de son support et dont l'autre est sur l'arrière ; et au moins une desdites couches photosensibles a une sensibilité telle qu'une dose d'exposition de 0,010 à 0,035 lux · seconde est nécessaire pour obtenir une image ayant une densité de 0,5 supérieure à la densité minimale sur celle-ci, ladite densité étant déterminée par les étapes consistant à : exposer la couche photosensible du matériau photographique à une lumière monochromatique dont la longueur d'onde est la même que la longueur d'onde d'émission principale de l'écran renforçateur défini dans le paragraphe 1) ci-dessus et dont la moitié de la largeur est 15 ± 5 nm, développer à 35°C pendant 25 secondes dans la solution de développement comprenant les composés suivants :

Hydroxyde de potassium	21 g
Sulfite de potassium	63 g
Acide borique	10 g
Hydroquinone	25 g
Triéthylèneglycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0,2 g
Acide acétique glacial	10 g
1-phényl-3-pyrazolidone	1,2 g
5-méthylbenzotriazole	0,05 g
Glutaraldéhyde	5 g
Bromure de potassium	4 g
Eau pour ajuster le volume à 1 litre, la valeur de pH étant ajustée à 10,02,

éliminer la couche photosensible sur le côté opposé au côté exposé et ensuite mesurer la densité de la couche photosensible restante.

2. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'écran renforçateur radiographique défini dans le paragraphe 1) ci-dessus comprend une couche protectrice pour faire face au matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent, une couche luminescente et une couche support prévues dans cet ordre, ladite couche protectrice étant une couche de résine synthétique transparente qui a une épaisseur non supérieure à 5 µm et qui est formée par revêtement sur la couche luminescente.

3. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que pas plus de 15% de la lumière émise par l'écran renforçateur placé sur le côté avant du matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent atteignent la couche photosensible sur l'arrière dudit matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent comme lumière traversante.

4. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'une couche de colorant qui comprend un colloïde hydrophile et qui est décolorée par le procédé de développement défini dans le paragraphe 2) ci-dessus est prévue entre le support et au moins une des couches photosensibles dans le matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent.

5. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que la couche de colorant du matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent comprend des fines particules cristallines de colorant.

6. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chacun des écrans renforçateurs radiographiques placés sur l'avant et sur l'arrière a les caractéristiques définies dans le paragraphe 1) ci-dessus.

7. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chacune des couches photosensibles prévues sur l'avant et l'arrière a les caractéristiques définies dans le paragraphe 2) ci-dessus.

8. Combinaison pour former une image radiographique comprenant un matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent et deux écrans renforçateurs radiographiques, dont l'un est placé sur l'avant dudit matériau photographique et dont l'autre est placé sur l'arrière ; caractérisée en ce que

1) au moins un desdits écrans renforçateurs absorbe les rayons X de 80 kV_p selon une quantité qui n'est pas inférieure à 25% ;

2) ledit matériau photographique a des couches photosensibles à l'halogénure d'argent dont l'une est prévue sur l'avant de son support et dont l'autre est sur l'arrière ; et au moins une desdites couches photosensibles a une sensibilité telle qu'une dose d'exposition de 0,010 à 0,035 lux · seconde est nécessaire pour obtenir une image ayant une densité de 0,5 supérieure à la densité minimale sur celle-ci, ladite densité étant déterminée par les étapes consistant à : exposer la couche photosensible du matériau photographique à une lumière monochromatique dont la longueur d'onde est la même que la longueur d'onde d'émission principale de l'écran renforçateur défini dans le paragraphe 1) ci-dessus et dont la moitié de la largeur est 15 ± 5 nm, développer à 35°C pendant 25 secondes dans la solution de développement comprenant les composés suivants :

Hydroxyde de potassium	21 g
Sulfite de potassium	63 g
Acide borique	10 g
Hydroquinone	25 g
Triéthylèneglycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0,2 g
Acide acétique glacial	10 g
1-phényl-3-pyrazolidone	1,2 g
5-méthylbenzotriazole	0,05 g
Glutaraldéhyde	5 g
Bromure de potassium	4 g
Eau pour ajuster le volume à 1 litre, la valeur de pH étant ajustée à 10,02,

peler la couche photosensible sur le côté opposé de la face exposée et ensuite mesurer la densité de la couche photosensible restante ; et

3) pas plus de 10% de la lumière émise par l'écran renforçateur placé sur le côté avant du matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent atteignent la couche photosensible sur l'arrière dudit matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent comme lumière traversante.

9. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que ledit écran renforçateur radiographique défini dans le paragraphe 1) ci-dessus présente des valeurs de fonction de transfert de contraste d'au moins 0,79 et d'au moins 0,36 à des fréquences spatiales de 1 ligne/mm et de 3 lignes/mm, respectivement.

10. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que l'écran renforçateur radiographique défini dans le paragraphe 1) ci-dessus comprend une couche protectrice pour faire face au matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent, une couche luminescente et une couche support prévues dans cet ordre, ladite couche protectrice étant une couche de résine synthétique transparente qui a une épaisseur non supérieure à 5 µm et qui est formée par revêtement sur la couche luminescente.

11. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce qu'une couche de colorant qui comprend un colloïde hydrophile et qui est décolorée par le procédé de développement défini dans le paragraphe 2) ci-dessus est prévue entre le support et au moins une des couches photosensibles dans le matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent.

12. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que la couche de colorant du matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent comprend des fines particules cristallines de colorant.

13. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que le matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent donne une image d'exposition ayant la courbe caractéristique suivante après l'exposition par étape du matériau photographique aux rayons X et le développement du matériau photographique dans les conditions décrites ci-dessus : la courbe caractéristique ayant un gamma moyen entre le point de la densité plus épaisse que la densité minimale de 0,1 et le point de la densité plus épaisse que la densité minimale de 0,5 dans la plage de 0,5 à 0,9, et un gamma moyen entre le point de D_min+1,2 et le point de D_min+1,6 dans la plage de 3,2 à 4,0 ; ladite courbe caractéristique étant tracée sur des coordonnées rectangulaires dans lesquelles la longueur unitaire de l'axe de la densité optique est la même que celle de l'axe de l'exposition.

14. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que chacun des écrans renforçateurs radiographiques placés sur l'avant et sur l'arrière a les caractéristiques définies dans le paragraphe 1) ci-dessus.

15. Combinaison telle que définie dans la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que chacune des couches photosensibles prévues sur l'avant et l'arrière a les caractéristiques définies dans le paragraphe 2) ci-dessus.

16. Matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent pour l'utilisation en combinaison avec un écran renforçateur radiographique, qui a des couches photosensibles à l'halogénure d'argent dont l'une est prévue sur l'avant de son support et dont l'autre est sur l'arrière ; et au moins une desdites couches photosensibles a une sensibilité telle qu'une dose d'exposition de 0,010 à 0,035 lux · seconde est nécessaire pour obtenir une image ayant une densité de 0,5 supérieure à la densité minimale sur celle-ci, ladite densité étant déterminée par les étapes consistant à : exposer la couche photosensible du matériau photographique à une lumière monochromatique dont la longueur d'onde est la même que la longueur d'onde d'émission principale de l'écran renforçateur à utiliser en combinaison et dont la moitié de la largeur est 15 ± 5 nm, développer à 35°C pendant 25 secondes dans la solution de développement comprenant les composés suivants :

Hydroxyde de potassium	21 g
Sulfite de potassium	63 g
Acide borique	10 g
Hydroquinone	25 g
Triéthylèneglycol	20 g
5-nitroindazole	0,2 g
Acide acétique glacial	10 g
1-phényl-3-pyrazolidone	1,2 g
5-méthylbenzotriazole	0,05 g
Glutaraldéhyde	5 g
Bromure de potassium	4 g
Eau pour ajuster le volume à 1 litre, la valeur de pH étant ajustée à 10,02,

éliminer la couche photosensible sur le côté opposé au côté exposé et ensuite mesurer la densité de la couche photosensible restante ; où pas plus de 15% de la lumière émise par l'écran renforçateur placé sur le côté avant de celui-ci atteignent la couche photosensible sur le côté arrière de celui-ci comme lumière traversante, et qui donne une image d'exposition ayant les caractéristiques de courbe suivantes après l'exposition par étapes du matériau photographique à des rayons X et le développement du matériau dans les conditions décrites ci-dessus : la courbe caractéristique ayant le gamma moyen entre le point de la densité plus épaisse que la densité minimale de 0,1 et le point de la densité plus épaisse que la densité minimale de 0,5 dans la plage de 0,5 à 0,9, et le gamma moyen entre le point de D_min + 1,2 et le point de D_min + 1,6 dans la plage de 3,2 à 4,0 ; ladite courbe caractéristique étant tracée dans des coordonnées rectangulaires dans lesquelles la longueur unitaire de l'axe de la densité optique est la même que celle de l'axe de l'exposition.

17. Matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent tel que défini dans la revendication 16, dans lequel la couche de colorant qui comprend le colloïde hydrophile et qui est décolorée par le procédé de développement défini dans la revendication 16 est prévue entre le support et au moins une des couches photosensibles dans le matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent.

18. Matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent tel que défini dans la revendication 17, dans lequel la couche de colorant du matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent comprend de fines particules cristallines de colorant.

19. Matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent tel que défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 16 à 18, dans lequel plus de 10% de la lumière émise par l'écran renforçateur placé sur le côté avant du matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent atteignent la couche photosensible sur l'arrière dudit matériau photographique à l'halogénure d'argent comme lumière traversante.

Drawing