Abstract: A method and device for reading out X-ray image information stored in a storage phosphor layer with a stimulating light beam includes deflecting the stimulating light beam to alternately move it in a first direction and in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, across the storage phosphor layer. During the movements of the stimulating light beam in the first direction and the second direction, detection emission light emitted by the storage phosphor layer and converting them into corresponding first and second detector signals, respectively. The first and second detector signals are compared with each other. The first and/or second detector signals, which were obtained during the movements of the stimulating light beam across the storage phosphor layer in the first direction and second direction, respectively, are corrected dependent on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A method and device for reading out X-ray image information stored in a storage phosphor layer with a stimulating light beam includes deflecting the stimulating light beam to alternately move it in a first direction and in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, across the storage phosphor layer. During movements of the stimulating light beam in the first and second directions emission light emitted by the storage phosphor layer is detected and converted into corresponding first and second detector signals, respectively. The first and/or second detector signals are corrected with regard to influences from the stimulating light beam being alternately moved in the first direction and in the second direction across the storage phosphor layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a drive (5) for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (2) and the radiation source (8), the storage phosphor layer (2) lying or being moved in a holding plane (7), and a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation. The reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2). A width (14) of the reflector (11) in the direction (6) of the relative movement is at least ten times as great as a smallest distance (15) between the reflector (11) and the holding plane (7).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) with a holding plane (7) in which the storage phosphor layer (2) lies or can be moved, a radiation source (8, 9, 10) for irradiating the storage phosphor layer (2) with erasing radiation which is suitable for erasing the storage phosphor layer (2), and a reflector (11; 29, 30) for reflecting erasing radiation in the direction of the holding plane (7). In order to increase the erasing efficiency, provision is made such that the reflector (11; 29, 30) is arranged and/or designed such that it reflects erasing radiation, which is reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2), in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2), and the radiation source (8, 9, 10) is disposed on a base (33; 48, 49), the base (33; 48, 49) being disposed closer to the holding plane (7) than at least part of the reflector (11; 29, 30).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a radiation source (8) for producing and emitting erasing radiation, a drive (5) for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (2) and the radiation source (8), the storage phosphor layer (2) lying or being moved in a holding plane (7), and a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation. The reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2). A further reflecting surface (31) is provided for reflecting erasing radiation which is positioned opposite the reflector (11), as considered in a direction at right angles to the direction (6) of the relative movement.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) with a holding plane (7) in which the storage phosphor layer (2) lies or can be moved, a radiation source (8, 9, 10) for irradiating the storage phosphor layer (2) with erasing radiation which is suitable for erasing the storage phosphor layer (2), and a reflector (11; 29, 30) for reflecting erasing radiation in the direction of the holding plane (7). In order to increase the erasing efficiency, provision is made such that the reflector (11; 29, 30) is arranged and/or designed such that it reflects erasing radiation, which is reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2), in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2), and the radiation source (8, 9, 10) is disposed on a base (33; 48, 49), the base (33; 48, 49) being disposed closer to the holding plane (7) than at least part of the reflector (11; 29, 30).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a drive (5) for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (2) and the radiation source (8), the storage phosphor layer (2) lying or being moved in a holding plane (7), and a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation. The reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2). A width (14) of the reflector (11) in the direction (6) of the relative movement is at least ten times as great as a smallest distance (15) between the reflector (11) and the holding plane (7).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a radiation source (8) for producing and emitting erasing radiation, a drive (5) for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (2) and the radiation source (8), the storage phosphor layer (2) lying or being moved in a holding plane (7), and a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation. The reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2). A further reflecting surface (31) is provided for reflecting erasing radiation which is positioned opposite the reflector (11), as considered in a direction at right angles to the direction (6) of the relative movement.

Abstract: A device for acquiring information contained in a phosphor layer comprises a light source (2) for irradiating the phosphor layer (1) with excitation light (3) that is suitable for exciting emission light (4) in the phosphor layer (1), a detector (6) for detecting the emission light (4) that has been excited in the phosphor layer (1), and a filter device (8), arranged between the phosphor layer (1) and the detector (6), that is substantially transparent in a first wavelength range (W1) of the emission light (4) and substantially non-transparent in a second wavelength range (W2) of the excitation light (3). To increase the reliability during the acquisition of the emission light, the filter device (8) is made substantially non-transparent in at least a third wavelength range (W3) having longer wavelengths than the second wavelength range (W2) of the excitation light (3).

Abstract: The present invention reduces the influences of electromagnetic fields during reading out of image signals from memory phosphor films. This is done by pre-amplifying the detection signals obtained from a detection device, in particular a CCD array, before further processing, for example by an analog-to-digital converter. An amplification register for electron multiplying can be used for the amplification. In this way individual photon sensitivity can be achieved when reading out X-ray images.

Abstract: A device for acquiring information that is contained in a phosphor layer which includes a light source (2) for irradiating and exciting the phosphor layer (1) to produce emission light (4) containing the information, a detector (6) for acquiring the emission light (4) produced in the phosphor layer (1) and a filter device (8), which is arranged between the phosphor layer (1) and the detector (6) and/or between the phosphor layer (1) and the light source (2). To increase the reliability in the acquisition of the emission light (4), the filter device (8) includes at least two filter elements structured as absorption filters and joined to each other.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes an illumination source, a diffractive modulator, imaging optics, and a coherence reduction system. The illumination source is for producing an illumination field. The diffractive modulator is for receiving the at least partially coherent illumination field and producing a modulated illumination field. The imaging optics are for directing the modulated illumination field toward an imaging surface. The coherence of one of the illumination field and the modulated illumination field is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention reduces the influences of electromagnetic fields during reading out of image signals from memory phosphor films. This is done by pre-amplifying the detection signals obtained from a detection device, in particular a CCD array, before further processing, for example by an analog-to-digital converter. An amplification register for electron multiplying can be used for the amplification. In this way individual photon sensitivity can be achieved when reading out X-ray images.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed that includes a modulator and a collection unit. The modulator modulates a first electromagnetic signal having a first frequency when the modulator has a first grating period and produces a first modulated electromagnetic signal. The modulator modulates a second electromagnetic signal having a second frequency when the modulator has a second grating period that is different than the first grating period and produces a second modulated electromagnetic signal. The modulator modulates a electromagnetic signal having a frequency when the modulator has a first grating period and produces a first modulated electromagnetic signal which is directed in first direction. The modulator modulates a electromagnetic signal having the same frequency when the modulator has a second grating period and produces a second modulated electromagnetic signal which is directed in second direction.

Abstract: A device for acquiring information that is contained in a phosphor layer which includes a light source (2) for irradiating and exciting the phosphor layer (1) to produce emission light (4) containing the information, a detector (6) for acquiring the emission light (4) produced in the phosphor layer (1) and a filter device (8), which is arranged between the phosphor layer (1) and the detector (6) and/or between the phosphor layer (1) and the light source (2). To increase the reliability in the acquisition of the emission light (4), the filter device (8) includes at least two filter elements structured as absorption filters and joined to each other.

Abstract: A device for acquiring information contained in a phosphor layer comprises a light source (2) for irradiating the phosphor layer (1) with excitation light (3) that is suitable for exciting emission light (4) in the phosphor layer (1), a detector (6) for detecting the emission light (4) that has been excited in the phosphor layer (1), and a filter device (8), arranged between the phosphor layer (1) and the detector (6), that is substantially transparent in a first wavelength range (W1) of the emission light (4) and substantially non-transparent in a second wavelength range (W2) of the excitation light (3). To increase the reliability during the acquisition of the emission light, the filter device (8) is made substantially non-transparent in at least a third wavelength range (W3) having longer wavelengths than the second wavelength range (W2) of the excitation light (3).

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes an illumination source, a modulator and a variable Fourier diaphragm. The illumination source produces a first illumination field having a first frequency and a second illumination field having a second frequency. The modulator receives the first illumination field and the second illumination field, and produces a first modulated illumination field and a second modulated illumination fields. The variable Fourier diaphragm selectively passes one of the first modulated illumination field and the second modulated illumination field.

Abstract: An illumination modulation system for producing modulated illumination for an imaging system is disclosed. The illumination modulation system includes a first modulator and a second modulator. The first modulator receives illumination from an illumination source and produces modulated illumination. The second modulator receives modulated illumination and produces corrected modulated illumination for imaging. In various embodiments the second modulator may be passive or active.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes an illumination source, a modulator and a variable Fourier diaphragm. The illumination source produces a first illumination field having a first frequency and a second illumination field having a second frequency. The modulator receives the first illumination field and the second illumination field, and produces a first modulated illumination field and a second modulated illumination fields. The variable Fourier diaphragm selectively passes one of the first modulated illumination field and the second modulated illumination field.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes an illumination source, a diffractive modulator, imaging optics, and a coherence reduction system. The illumination source is for producing an illumination field. The diffractive modulator is for receiving the at least partially coherent illumination field and producing a modulated illumination field. The imaging optics are for directing the modulated illumination field toward an imaging surface. The coherence of one of the illumination field and the modulated illumination field is reduced.