Photosensitive element containing a photoreducible palladium compound and the use thereof in physical development

Claim 2

imagewise exposing to actinic light a photosensitive element comprising a support and a light-sensitive palladium compound, wherein the light-sensitive palladium compound has the formula (Pd(L)x)y Mz, wherein L is a ligand, selected from the group consisting of halogen ligands, carboxylic acid ligands, aromatic ligands, nitrogen ligands, phosphorous ligands, arsenic ligands, and antimony ligands; M is selected from the group consisting of ions selected from the group consisting of hydrogen ions, inorganic acid ions, organic acid ions, metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, strontium ions, and aluminum ions, and (Pd(L)x) groups; x is an integer from 0 through 4; y is an integer from 1 through 4; z is an integer from 0 through 2; and x and z are not 0 at the same time, and

Claim 3

A photosensitive element comprising a support and a light-sensitive compound which on exposure to actinic light forms catalytic centers for the deposition of metal from a physical developer, said compound having the formula (Pd(L)x)y Mz, wherein L is a ligand, selected from the group consisting of halogen ligands, carboxylic acid ligands, aromatic ligands, nitrogen ligands, phosphorous ligands, arsenic ligands, and antimony ligands; M is selected from the group consisting of ions selected from the group consisting of hydrogen ions, inorganic acid ions, organic acid ions, metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, strontium ions, and aluminum ions, and onium ions, and (Pd(L)x) groups; x is an integer from 0 through 4; y is an integer from 1 through 4; z is an integer from 0 through 2; and x and z are not 0 at the same time.

Claim 4

A photosensitive element comprising a support and a light-sensitive compound which on exposure to actinic light forms catalytic centers for the deposition of metal from a physical developer, said compound having the formula (Pd(L)x)y Mz, wherein L is a ligand, selected from the group consisting of halogen ligands, carboxylic acid ligands, aromatic ligands, nitrogen ligands, phosphorous ligands, arsenic ligands, and antimony ligands; M is selected from the group consisting of ions selected from the group consisting of hydrogen ions, inorganic acid ions, organic acid ions, metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, strontium ions, and aluminum ions, and onium ions, and (Pd(L)x) groups; x is an integer from 0 through 4; y is an integer from 1 through 4; z is an integer from 0 through 2; and x and z are not 0 at the same time.

Claim 5

A photosensitive element as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the support is porous and the light-sensitive palladium compound is imbibed therein.

Claim 6

developing the latent image thus formed with a physical developer comprising a reducible heavy metal salt selected from the group consisting of nicket salts, cobalt salts, iron salts, chromium salts, copper salts, and mixtures thereof, a complexing agent for heavy metal ions from said salt and a reducing agent for heavy metaL ions from said salt.

Claim 7

developing the latent image thus formed with a physical developer comprising a reducible heavy metal salt selected from the group consisting of nicket salts, cobalt salts, iron salts, chromium salts, copper salts, and mixtures thereof, a complexing agent for heavy metal ions from said salt and a reducing agent for heavy metaL ions from said salt.

Claim 8

A photosensitive element as defined in claim 1, wherein the light-sensitive palladium compound is coated on the support in a hydrophilic binder.

Claim 9

A photosensitive element as defined in claim 1, wherein the light-sensitive palladium compound is selected from the group consisting of potassium palladium oxalate, palladium oxalate, palladium tetrammine chloride, palladium tetrammine bromide, and potassium palladous chloride.

Claim 10

A photosensitive element comprising a support and a light-sensitive composition comprising potassium palladium oxalate.

Claim 11

A photosensitive element comprising a support and a light-sensitive composition comprising potassium palladium oxalate.

Claim 14

A method of producing photographic images as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of washing the element between exposure and development to remove unexposed palladium compound.

Claim 15

A method of producing photographic images as defined in claim 6, wherein development is accomplished by immersing the exposed element in a bath of the physical developer.

Claim 16

A method of producing photographic images as defined in claim 6, wherein development is accomplished by contacting the exposed element with a receiving sheet containing the physical developer and heating the element to cause migration of unexposed light-sensitive palladium compound from the element to the receiving sheet, where it is reduced and developed.