EN METALLBILD

Radiation sensitive elements comprising a thin radiation sensitive layer of an amorphous chalcogenide of arsenic adhering to a substrate are utilized in the production of latent images when exposed to a suitable form of radiation, the latent images being developed by utilizing the inability of radiation exposed arsenic chalcogenide to cause reduction of noble metal salts. Noble metal salts are thus decomposed by arsenic chalcogenide which has not been exposed to radiation to form a direct positive image which can subsequently be intensified by physical development and/or electroless deposition of metal possibly followed by electrolytic deposition of metal. The form of radiation employed is generally visible light and diverse procedures for producing direct positive images are disclosed.