emulsion

Definition: (1) Layer of light-sensitive chemicals. * Dispersion of silver halide crystals plus other components - e.g. sensitizers, colour couplers if colour film - in gelatin, laid in one or more layers onto a film base or backing material. (2) A colloid in which both the dispersed phase and dispersion medium are both liquids. Dispersing misnomers A photographic emulsion is not, strictly speaking, an emulsion because the thing that is dispersed or spread out in the medium, namely silver halide crystals is not in liquid form. However, the term 'photographic dispersion' never caught on, of obvious reasons, so 'emulsion' is what we are stuck with.

Related Terms: gelatin

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