5 
Silver Film Original 
First Generation Diazo Copy 
Second Generation Diazo Copy 
Third Generation Diazo Copy 
* 400 lines/nm Low Contrast 
= 317 lines/mm Low Contrast 
= 283 lines/mm low Contrast 
» 224 lines/mm low Contrast 
SUMMATION 
The future use of continuous tone diazo films for fast simplified 
reproduction of aerial negatives appears to be very promising* It is 
possible to foresee a single coating of a black image diazo film which 
can be made to produce variable contrast response, to act as either a 
positive or negative working film, and which will not require any wet 
chemical sensitization or processing stabilization treatments# Future 
improvements on high energy continuous spectrum ultraviolet and visual 
blue light sources such as the Argon plasma jet light source may some 
day make it possible to contact print gelatin-silver-halide aerial 
negatives onto diazo films at a continuous rate of 60 feet per minute 
or more. Processing for highly stable azo dye images can be accom 
plished at the same rate as the printing. 
Future improvements are needed in the formulation of diazo films 
for use for duplicating low altitude photographic aerial negatives where 
recorded high brightness range scenes are represented on the negative as 
high density scale images. Lower contrast diazo films with higher useful 
density scale response will be required. The coating uniformity, coating 
cleanliness, and image stability of diazo films need to be improved. The 
sensitivity of diazo films needs to be increased to permit faster 
printing speeds. 
Experimental diazo contact and projection systems are already being 
fabricated under Air Force sponsored research contracts. These systems 
are designed to print high acuity aerial gelatin-silver-halide negatives 
onto continuous tone diazo films. Before the ultimate tone reproduction 
quality is realized from these new reproduction systems, improvements 
must be made in diazo film formulations. The ultimate solution of 
research goals for high acuity, continuous tone, positive and negative 
working diazo films will eventually lead to rapid, relatively simple 
reproduction systems capable of producing high acuity, high tonal 
quality photographic reproductions. This will produce subsequent 
savings in reproduction materials and equipment costs and greatly reduce 
the processing complexity presently entailed with conventional gelatin- 
silver-halide reproductions of aerial photography. 
JACK C. LEWIS 
Photographic Branch 
Reconnaissance Division 
AF Avionics Laboratory