IMAGING FILM WITH IMPROVED PASSIVATING LAYER CONTAINING A GROUP IV METAL OXIDE AND A METAL OXIDE OR FLUORIDE STABILIZING AGENT

摘要

IMAGING FILM WITH IMPROVEDPASSIVATING LAYERSAbstract of DisclosureIn an imaging film having a substrate over which isdeposited a thin, opaque layer of an imaging material there islocated on at least the outer side of said opaque imaging layerand, better still, on the opposite sides of said opaque layer ofimaging material, thin, preferably vapor deposited, passivatinglayers forming a barrier against passage of oxygen and moisture.The passivating layer, or layers, is a flexible continuous amor-phous film having a thickness generally no greater than about 50Angstroms (A°1) and preferably less than 200A° and comprising analloy or mixture of a Group IV oxide, most advantageously germaniumoxide, and a stabilizing agent or agents, more particularly one ormore different oxides of a metal or a semiconductor or a metalfluoride which stabilizes the amorphous character and chemicalinertness of the Group IV oxide even when subjected to the elementof the surrounding atmosphere.