Hypersensitization of Kodak IN Emulsions at the Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory

Abstract

In recent years the region 7000–9000 Å has been one of those studied spectrally on both the Coudé spectrograph on the 2m RCC telescope, and by a 3.5° objective prism on the 50/70cm Schmidt telescope of the Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. For our purposes we used Kodak I-IVN photoemulsions. To increase their sensitivity we applied mainly the preflashing method, described by Georgiev (1984). In view of selecting a method suiting best our observations at the Observatory, we decided to make a comparative laboratory study of several methods of high speed gain of I-IVN infrared emulsions, namely those of: Babcock (1976), Scott et al.(1977), Hoessel (1978), Hartly and Tritton (1978) Pinto (1979), Young and Crisp (1979), Schoening (1982,1978,1978a). With all these methods predominates silver nitrate or ammonia treatment.