Nitrogen Sensitizing of Photographic Plates

Several methods are available for sensitizing photographic plates, each with its own disadvantage. Pre-flashing greatly increases the plate background and is useful only for enhancing the plate’s response to light levels near the plate’s threshold. Baking and (or) evacuating enhance the plate’s response at all light levels and leave a slightly higher background. Unfortunately all of these methods produce plates with a short shelf life after sensitization.