Apparatus and method for producing gradated exposures on radiation sensitive material
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsHoward P. Jehan, Gary A. Granath, Mark R. O'Donnell, James E. Bird
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus (10) referred to as a step and repeat sensitometer directs radiant energy (18) from a radiant energy source (16) into a diffuse integrating chamber (2) which uniformly mixes and directs the radiant energy (18) onto an exposure plane (14) where a radiation sensitive sample (1) is positioned so that individual areas of the sample (1) are exposed to readily adjustable levels of illuminance producing gradated exposures.
Claims39
Apparatus for producing gradated exposures on radiation sensitive material, the apparatus comprising:
- a) means for movably supporting a sample of radiation sensitive material on an exposure plane so as to precisely position said radiation sensitive material to receive gradated exposures;
- b) a source of radiant energy for producing a beam of radiant energy along a path;
- c) a spherically-shaped integrating chamber for uniformly distributing the radiant energy at the exposure plane, said integrating chamber comprising an interior wall, a radiant energy entrance port and an exit port for receiving and then passing said radiant energy therethrough;
- d) means for attenuating said radiant energy entering said integrating chamber thereby defining attenuated radiant energy;
- whereby said sample of radiation sensitive material when moved in said exposure plane is repeatedly subjected to different but precisely known exposures of said attenuated radiant energy thereby producing first and second gradated exposures arranged in a predetermined pattern.
Method for producing gradated exposures on a radiation sensitive web, comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning a sample of such web at an exposure plane;
- (b) providing a source of radiant energy;
- (c) providing an integrating sphere for shaping the path of the radiant energy delivered to said exposure plane, said integrating sphere having a entrance port and an exit port for receiving and then passing said radiant energy therethrough;
- and
- (d) exposing such sample of radiation sensitive web producing a first gradated exposure;
- and,
- (e) precisely repositioning said sample in said exposure plane and then exposing said sample producing a second gradated exposure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.