Abstract: The specification discloses apparatus for intensifying and minifying X-ray images which includes a rectangular housing having opposed front and rear ends. A phosphorous screen is disposed in the front end of the housing for receiving X-ray images of an object irradiated by X-rays and in response thereto generating light images corresponding to the X-ray images. A mirror system is mounted within the housing adjacent the rear end for reflecting the light images back toward the front end of the housing. An image intensifying assembly is provided along one side of the housing for amplifying and minifying the reflected light images. A camera is located in the front end of the housing for recording the amplified and minified light images. Circuitry is provided for interrogating the operation of the camera and of various electronic circuits of the system in order to provide a visual indication of malfunction of the system.

Abstract: A radiation detecting system for direct viewing and imaging comprises a quantum mechanical substance that is arranged both to receive target radiation and to fluoresce for a predetermined lifetime. A source of pulsed pump radiation is coupled to the quantum mechanical substance, and the pump radiation is selected to possess a predetermined pulse duration less than the fluorescent lifetime of the quantum mechanical substance. A detector unit is optically coupled to the output of the quantum mechanical substance for readout purposes, and means are provided for selectively decoupling the detector and the quantum mechanical substance for the duration of a pulse of the pump radiation whereby to eliminate "noise" signals associated with the pump radiation.