Abstract: The layer of physical development nuclei as a image receiving layer distributed in polymer medium, is one of the important components of CTP plates. In this paper, the influences of three polymers on physical development process and plate quality were studied with array of one dimensional CCD(Charge Coupled Device) and silver titration. The results showed that PVA-Ⅰ、PVA-Ⅱ could retard the diffusion process and reduce the plate contrast, while PVP could accelerate the development slightly. Furthermore, SEM(Scan Electron Microscope) was applied to observe the aggregation of physically developed silver. It was shown that the aggregation of silver was relevant with the polymer types and the coating amount.

Key words: polymer, silver halide diffusion, physical development