Theoretical Relationship between Spectral and Diffuse Density of Photographic Film and Its Effect on Using Photographic Film as a Diffraction Grating

A statistical analysis is presented, which gives the relationship between the spectral and diffuse transmissivity of photographic film. The validity of this theory was checked by experimental measurements and the agreement was excellent for all cases where the basic assumptions are valid. The theory still gives an insight into the experimental result obtained when these assumptions are not valid. This theory is also used to gain an understanding of the modulation process and dynamic range of photographic data film used in an optical correlator or any other device which uses the film as a psuedo diffraction grating.