The Kalvar Photographic Process.

Kalvar is a photographic process in which the formation of the image is brought about primarily by the scattering of light. A photolytic compound sensitive to ultraviolet is dispersed in a polymeric vehicle which can be relaxed by heat. After exposure in the near U.V. the volatile products of decomposition produce internal pressures within the vehicle resulting in a latent image of internal stresses. Upon subsequent heating (120 degrees centigrade for 1 sec.), the reorientation and recrystallization of the polymer in the exposed portions cause it to scatter light strongly to produce the developed photographic image. The density of the resulting image may be enhanced by a combination of absorption effects and multiple internal scattering.