The latent image of ordinary photographic emulsions has not been resolved. However, the slightly enlarged latent image as obtained by physical gold development can be demonstrated by means of the electron microscope. For the case of a fast negative emulsion it is shown that different types of exposures result in latent image centers of significantly different size distribution characteristics. High-intensity alpha-particle and x-ray exposures produce a very large number of finely dispersed centers; irradiation with light of optimum intensity and 1/100 sec duration forms a small number of centers; only very few specks result from exposures to light of very low intensity. The patterns observed are in line with expectations based on current photographic theory.
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