REDUCTION OF THE EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR GAMMA RADIATION ON PHOTOGRAPHIC SILVER HALIDE EMULSIONS. Final Report for January 1, 1956-June 30, 1958
D.A. Nepela, Heinz F. Nitka · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1958
An investigation was undertaken to evolve a photographic material or procedures whereby acceptable ground or low altitude aerial reconnaissance photographs could be taken despite the existence of a high ambient level of gamma radiation. Three approaches were selected as holding the greatest promise for eliminating or reducing the adverse fogging effect of a uniform gamma-ray exposure on the quality of photographs taken in close support operations, including variation of the hasic composition of photographic emulsions, chemical and/or optical treatment of the exposed film to erase the effect of undesired gamma radiation, and utilization of special processing and printing techniques. The third approach was the most successful and the most practical. This method employs reversal development, followed by image intensification techniques and/or printing on direct-positive film or paper of extremely high contrast. In this way, acceptable photographs without sacrifice in speed, contrast, or definition can be obtained, in the presence of gamma-ray dosages up to 400 roentgens, on a panchromatic photographic film of an effective exposure index 25. (auth)