Abstract: The relations between structures and properties of the hollow microcrystal emulsions were studied by means of surface development, Dember effect, chemical sensitization, spectral sensitization and so on. The results showed that: (1) The latent image is always formed preferentially around the holes of the hollow silver halide microcrystals; (2) There are more microcrystal defects and dislocations, more interstitial silver ions and more electron traps in hollow grains than in solid cubic grains; (3) Compared with cubic AgBr emulsions, the hollow grain emulsions have higher surface reaction activity and higher chemical and spectral sensitivity; (4) It is found that the contrast and maximum density of the hollow silver halide emulsions prepared by the methods of halogen displacement and epitaxial growth are very high; and (5) All above mentioned advantages can be ascribed to the unique hole structure of hollow silver halide microcrystals.

Key words: hollow-grain, silver halide emulsions, photographic properties