What do acutance dyes do?

[Michael R 1974]

How do acutance dyes work - in laymen's terms?

I think normally "acutance" is defined as the average gradient across a knife edge exposure (measured with a microdensitometer).

So, do these dyes help to increase the gradient by reducing irradiation/light scatter during exposure? Or do they act "chemically" during development either on the grains themselves or by reducing infectious development effects, diffusion etc?

Thanks

[AgX]

Acutance dyes are embedded in the emulsion. They are intended to built up opacity to stray-light originating from reflections within the emulsion.

[Michael R 1974]

Thanks.