Grating formation in diazo salt (sensitized) gelatin

Diazo (sensitized) gelatins are photosensitive recording materials that, unlike dichromated gelatin, have a long shelf life. Because of their stability, the diazo emulsions have replaced the dichromated colloids used in the photolithographic field and enabled commercialization of presensitized printing plates. We have produced plane wave gratings with peak efficiencies near 67% at an exposure of 625 mJ/cm(2) and a recording wavelength of 488.0 nm in one diazo recording material. Called diazo salt (sensitized) gelatin, the photosensitive material produces gratings in gelatin by a complex process that we found not to be a function of exposure. The methods used are described.