Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam, a stage on which an image carrier can be placed, a scanning mechanism for scanning the image carrier with the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source, thereby stimulating the image carrier with the laser beam, a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the image carrier, and an optical head for leading the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source to the image carrier, irradiating the image carrier with the laser beam and leading light emitted from the image carrier to the light detector, the optical head being constituted so as to lead light emitted from a point of the image carrier located upstream of a point of the image carrier onto which the laser beam impinges with respect to a direction of scanning with the laser beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reading a radiation image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen including a divalent europium activated cesium halide phosphor wherein the halide is at least one of chloride and bromide. The screen is scanned by a laser spot having a diameter which is less than 100 micrometer.

Abstract: A radiation image readout apparatus scans an excitation light in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction over a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation energy has been stored, and detects the stimulated emission emitted thereupon; wherein, various types of phosphor sheets can be read out at a high resolution and high sensitivity. The excitation light energy level for obtaining an adequate sensitivity for each type of phosphor sheet is obtained. A controller controls the intensity of the excitation light emitted from the light source and the speed of the scanning mechanism, that is, the readout speed, whereby the excitation light projected onto a phosphor sheet of which the diffusion rate has been controlled by the inclusion therein of an navy blue colorant is of a greater energy level than the excitation light projected onto the white stimulable phosphor sheet not containing the navy blue colorant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of obtaining an image signal, comprising the steps of preparing an image recording sheet having a stimulable phosphor layer which emits photostimulated luminescent light in a quantity corresponding to stored energy when irradiated with stimulating light, scanning the image recording sheet in horizontal and vertical scanning directions with the stimulating light, and obtaining the image signal by detecting the photostimulated luminescent light emitted by the scanning, with a solid-state image detector having a photoconductor. The signal, output from the solid-state image detector when scanning a non-image region other than an image recording region on the image recording sheet with the stimulating light, is detected as a correction signal. A non-image component, contained in a signal output from the solid-state image detector when scanning the image recording region with the stimulating light, is suppressed with the correction signal.

Abstract: A process for recording a radiation image on a radiation image storage panel containing stimulable phosphor particles and then reproducing the radiation image by the double side reading system is favorably performed employing a radiation image storage panel containing stimulable phosphor particles in which the stimulable phosphor particles vary in their mean particle sizes in the depth direction of the storage panel in such manner that the mean particle size on one surface side is smaller than the mean particle size on the other surface side, preferably under the condition that stimulating rays are applied onto the storage panel on the surface side having the phosphor particles of the smaller mean particle size to excite the phosphor particles in the storage panel.

Abstract: A device built-in in a housing and capable to determine a pressure force in a quantitative way has been provided, the device including a storage phosphor panel or plate having storage phosphors essentially having tribostimulable properties, thereby providing energy conversion of the phosphors by means of pressure force or pressure energy to be determined. The method of measuring the pressure energy has also been described.

Abstract: A device for reading flexible storage foils. The devices includes a foil support, a reading light source which provides a reading light beam which has a wave length suitable to excite metastable storage centers of the storage foil. Drive mechanisms are employed to provide relative movement between the reading light beam and the storage foil. A light detector is responsive to fluorescence light of the storage foil generated by the reading light beam.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite image from first and second digital images formed by recording first and second contiguous segments of a larger radiographic image in first and second overlapping storage phosphor members, exposed to a source of X-rays wherein the image content in the overlapped region is the same in both images and the end edge of the first member is present both on the first image and as a shadow edge in the second image, the method comprising: correcting for geometric distortion in the first and second digital images; determining any rotational displacement and any vertical displacement between the first and second images by matching the first member end edge in the first image to its shadow in the second image; correcting for image orientation based on any said rotational displacement; determining any horizontal displacement between the first and second images by correlating the image content in the overlapped region of the first and second images; and stitching said first and second images

Abstract: An image signal representing radiation image information on an object stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet is read out by scanning the stimulable phosphor sheet with a stimulating light beam and photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof by a photodetector having a photoelectric surface. A variable transmittance medium whose transmittance to the light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof is variable continuously or stepwise is inserted into the optical path of the light between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the photoelectric surface of the photodetector The transmittance of the variable transmittance medium is changed according to the amount of light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof so that the photoelectric surface is not saturated by an excessive amount of light impinging thereupon.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet stored thereon a radiation image is two-dimensionally scanned by a stimulating light beam by projecting the light beam along a main scanning line extending in a main scanning direction and moving one of the stimulable phosphor sheet and the stimulating light beam in a sub-scanning direction relatively to the other so that the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the stimulating light beam along a plurality of main scanning lines arranged in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined pitch and stimulated emission emitted from the part of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the stimulating light beam is photoelectrically converted to an electric image signal by a photoelectric convertor. The power of the stimulating light beam is controlled depending on the pitch at which the main scanning lines are arranged in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computed radiography includes an optical pump source which may be a plurality of light emitting diodes or a movable laser. Pumping light from the optical pump source is carried through each of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a linear array to a previously-exposed computed radiography plate having a latent X-ray image formed thereon. The plate is moved with respect to the fibers. One of a second plurality of optical fibers arranged in a linear array or a light pipe receives light emitted from the radiographic medium due to excitation by the pumping light. The second plurality of optical fibers or light pipe supplies the emitted light to an optical source, which may be a photodiode or a photomultiplier tube, where an image signal responsive to the light intensity of the emitted light is generated. The image signal is digitized and sent to a processor which generates an image representative of the latent X-ray image on the computed radiography plate.

Abstract: Image storage assemblies comprise thin metal screens adjacent storage phosphor screens. The thin metal screen is from about 0.01 to about 0.75 mm in thickness when composed of copper and from about 0.05 to about 0.4 mm when composed of lead. These image storage assemblies can be used in portal imaging whereby both imaging and stimulating radiation are directed through the thin metal screens before the radiation reaches the storage phosphor screens.

Abstract: A method has been provided of image formation, dosimetry or personal monitoring wherein said method comprises the steps of (a) storing energy in stimulable phosphors coated in one or more layers of said screen or panel; (b) converting said energy to emission energy and (c) detecting said energy, characterized in that said converting step proceeds by means of a source of pressure energy.

Abstract: A method for recording and reproducing a radiation image including the steps of (1) causing a radiation image storage panel containing a photostimulable phosphor to absorb penetrating radiation having passed through an object or having been radiated from an object, (2) exposing the image storage panel to stimulating rays to release the radiation energy stored therein as light emission and (3) detecting the emitted light, wherein the stimulating rays are emitted by an electroliuminescent element.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided to obtain automated, rapid and sensitive scanning of substrate fluorescence, optical density or phosphorescence. The scanner uses a constant path length optical train, which enables the combination of a moving beam for high speed scanning with phase-sensitive detection for noise reduction, comprising a light source, a scanning mirror to receive light from the light source and sweep it across a steering mirror, a steering mirror to receive light from the scanning mirror and reflect it to the substrate, whereby it is swept across the substrate along a scan arc, and a photodetector to receive emitted or scattered light from the substrate, wherein the optical path length from the light source to the photodetector is substantially constant throughout the sweep across the substrate. The optical train can further include a waveguide or mirror to collect emitted or scattered light from the substrate and direct it to the photodetector.

Abstract: Method for reading a radiation image recorded two-dimensionally in an imaging plate using stimulable phospor as a radiation detecting medium. The image in the imaging plate is read rapidly and continuously as the plate is illuminated with radiation, and therefore is useful in understanding dynamic events based on rapid processing and real-time radiation image detection. Also, apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam, a stage on which an image carrier can be placed, a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from the image carrier, and an optical head for condensing the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source onto the image carrier placed on the stage and condensing light released from the image carrier to lead it to the light detector, the optical head being constituted to be two-dimensionally movable in a plane parallel to the stage and provided with a perforated mirror fixed in a path of the laser beam and formed with a hole at a center portion thereof, the perforated mirror being disposed so that the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source can pass through the hole and light released from the image carrier and condensed by the optical head can be reflected in such a manner that a path of the light is branched off from the path of the laser beam emitted from the laser stimu

Abstract: A radiation image data reading apparatus that receives a cassette that houses a substantially inflexible stimulable phosphor sheet with high rigidity therein with an opening at an end portion thereof for inserting and removing said sheet having radiation image data recorded thereon and reads out radiation image data from said stimulable phosphor sheet which has been removed from said cassette conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet from said opening of a received cassette at a constant speed by sheet conveyance means. As the stimulable phosphor sheet is being removed from the cassette, an excitation light main scan means performs a main scan in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of said conveyance, at a position close to said opening. The phosphorescent light emitted from the area of the sheet irradiated by the excitation light is detected by photoelectric detection means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10,60) for reading out information stored in a phosphor carrier (15) and to an X-ray cassette (70) which contains the phosphor carrier (15) and such a device. The inventive device (10,60) has a radiation source (11;20, . . . ,29,30 . . . 39; 50,53;61) that can emit a first radiation source (16) with which the phosphor carrier (15) can be exited such that the carrier emits a second radiation (17). This second radiation (17) comprises an image of the information stored in the phosphor carrier (15). The device (10,60) additionally has a receiving means (12,62) which contains a number of point elements (PD1, . . . PDn) in order to receive the second radiation (17) emitted from the phosphor carrier (15) in a point-by-point manner. The second radiation of a point of the phosphor carrier (15) can thus be received by each one of the point elements (PD1, . . . ,PDn).

Abstract: A device (1) and a method for reading information stored in a phosphor layer (10) is disclosed. The device (1) includes a transparent carrier material (9) on which the phosphor layer (10) to be read is disposed. A radiation source (2) emits an excitation radiation (20) to excite the phosphor layer (10), which in turn emits an emission radiation (26). The emission radiation (26) can be received by a receiver (3). The radiation source (2) is arranged on one side of the transparent carrier material (9), whereas the receiver (3) is arranged on the other side of the transparent carrier material (9), thereby defining an optical path between the radiation source (2) and the receiver (3). According to the invention, a reflective layer (21, 22; 30, 31, 32) for reflecting at least a portion of the excitation radiation (20) is arranged in the optical path.

Abstract: A system for scanning an imaging plate, comprising: a continuous belt drive; a first scanning head mounted to the belt drive; a second scanning head mounted to the belt drive; and a laser positioned to direct a laser beam in a beam path across the imaging plate, wherein the continuous belt drive is positioned to sequentially move each of the first and second scanning heads in a path collinear with the laser beam path when moving across the imaging plate.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided, which includes a medium attached to a surface of a fixed, hollow cylindrical segment, the fixed, hollow cylindrical segment having a first longitudinal axis, a rotational radial laser beam rotating around the first longitudinal axis and arranged to scan said medium, and a light sensitive detector having a light acceptance direction along a second axis coinciding with the first longitudinal axis of the cylindrical segment.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus including a lens array and a line sensor for reading an image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet provides a read-out image of high quality which is free from a spurious pattern due to non-aperture regions of the lens array. A first memory stores an image signal representing the image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet. Spurious pattern signal calculating means calculates a spurious pattern signal based on positions of the non-aperture regions on the lens array. The spurious pattern signal is stored in a second memory. Image modification means reads the image signal and the spurious pattern signal from the first and second memories to calculate a processed image signal free from any spurious pattern signal on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The spurious pattern signal may instead be obtained by causing the apparatus to read a uniform radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: An image information read-out apparatus includes an image read-out system which is provided with a line reading light source for scanning a recording medium with a line reading light beam and reads out image information from the recording medium in response to the line reading light source scanning the recording medium, and an image read-out system moving mechanism which moves the image read-out system inclusive of the recording medium and the line reading light source. A scanning detecting system detects that the line reading light source is scanning the recording medium with the line reading light beam, and an alarm informs the operator that the line reading light source is scanning the recording medium with the line reading light beam when the scanning detecting system detects the fact.

Abstract: Stimulating rays produced by a line light source are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the sheet to emit light in proportion to an amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. Light emitted from the exposed linear area of the sheet is received with a line sensor comprising photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along each of a length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet and a direction normal to the length direction. The sheet is moved with respect to the line light source and the line sensor and in a direction different from the length direction of the linear area of the sheet. Operation processing is performed on outputs of the photoelectric conversion devices, which outputs have been obtained at respective positions of movement and correspond to an identical site on the sheet.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises at least one laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam and a light detector for photoelectrically detecting fluorescent light released from an image carrier upon an excitation by the laser beam. The light detector can detect light having wavelength shorter than 700 nm with high sensitivity. The apparatus further comprises a filter provided in front of the light detector that is made of a material to able cut light having wavelength of the laser stimulating ray and emits a fluorescent light having a peak wavelength equal to or longer than 700 nm upon excitation by the laser stimulating ray. According to the thus-constituted image reading apparatus, it is possible to read fluorescent images with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a device for irradiating stimulating rays to a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation image information has been stored, the stimulating rays causing the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The apparatus also comprises a light guiding system, which is provided with a light guide member and a mirror and which guides the emitted light, and a device for detecting the guided light and thereby reading out the radiation image information. A mirror body provided with the mirror is constituted for rotation. The mirror body has a light guide member dust removing brush, which rotates due to rotation of the mirror body, comes into contact with the light guide member, and removes dust clinging to the light guide member. A mirror dust removing brush comes into contact with the mirror due to rotation of the mirror body and removes dust clinging to the mirror.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for reading a radiation image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen comprises an array of transducer elements, e.g. avalanche photodiodes, and electronic circuitry for integrating the signal of each of the transducer elements that are illuminated by the light emitted by a pixel of the screen upon stimulation of that pixel.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents an apparatus for radiation detection comprising a generally uniform dielectric layer, a conductive layer interfacing a first surface of the generally uniform dielectric layer; an ionizing radiation detection multi-layer structure including a photoelectric conversion layer interfacing a second surface of the generally uniform dielectric layer; said ionizing radiation detection multi-layer structure, said generally uniform dielectric layer, and said conductive layer being configured with respect to each other and being operative such that an imagewise ionizing radiation pattern impinging on said ionizing radiation detection multi-layer substrate causes a corresponding charge pattern representing said imagewise ionizing radiation to be generated at the interface between the generally uniform dielectric layer and the photoelectric conversion layer and causes a readable imagewise replica of said charge pattern to be formed in said conductive layer.

Abstract: The frequency of light source malfunctions is reduced and inconsistencies in exposure are controlled in a readout exposure apparatus for reading out radiation image data recorded as an electrostatic image on an image detecting device. The readout exposure device includes a light source having a plurality of LED chips, a first optical element for improving the quality of the light output, and a second optical element for focusing the light passing through the first optical element on the face of the image detecting device through two cylindrical lenses. The light output from each LED chip is focused in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the light source. By irradiation of the image detecting device by the light not focused along the lengthwise direction of the light source, a plurality of pixels are simultaneously exposed by the light emitted from each light emitting point.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided, which includes a fixed, hollow cylindrical segment having a central, longitudinal axis, the interior of which forms a concave surface for intimate contact with a medium for recording and/or readout, a support structure forming a transport for translational movement along the axis, a light source mounted on the transport for movement therewith and for providing a beam capable of being directed along the axis, and a slanted mirror, angled 45 degrees with respect to the axis and mounted on the transport for translational movement therewith and for rotational spinning around the axis. The beam from the light source is reflected 90 degrees from along the axis along a radial to the medium and the rotation and translation cause the beam to scan the medium such that the rotating light beam is at all times perpendicular to the medium at the point of contact of the beam with the medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of inspecting influence of stray light which occurs in a radiation image reader. The inspection method comprises the steps of: preparing a storable fluorescent inspection sheet that has stored and recorded a radiation inspection image which has a density pattern in which one or more low-density and high-density regions having a contrast difference of at least 1:20 are arrayed in a horizontal scanning direction; obtaining an image inspection signal representing the radiation inspection image, by photelectrically reading the radiation inspection image from the storable fluorescent inspection sheet; and inspecting the influence of stray light, based on an image reproduced from the image inspection signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for and method of reading out a storage phosphor screen (or a storage phosphor sheet or an imaging plate) sensitive to radiation in which, in performing a radiography by using the storage phosphor screen, the storage phosphor screen is stimulated optically to induce luminescence according to a response to radiation to acquire a digital image of a subject from the storage phosphor screen by using a semiconductor light source array as a stimulating light source to which an optical fiber array consisting of a bundle of optical fibers having a diverse forms is connected; a starting of the semiconductor light source array is controlled with an electric pulse; and a semiconductor light source array starting pulse for generating a stimulating light is interlocked with a photomultiplier tube for collecting a luminescence light signal induced from the storage phosphor screen by the stimulating light to represent the collected luminescence light as distribution of a two-dimensional position to acq

Abstract: A multiple-head scanning device (20) for reading an image stored on a photostimulable phosphor storage screen (10), comprising, a rotatable frame having a center (13) and an outer perimeter (15); a photomultiplier tube (40) mounted to the rotatable frame at a location proximal the center (13) of the rotatable frame; a plurality of radially extending optical trains (12) mounted to the rotatable frame at 120 degrees to one another, each optical train (12) configured to direct incident laser light towards phosphor storage screen (10) and to direct response radiation emitted by phosphor storage (10) screen in response to the incident laser light towards the photomultiplier tube (40).

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet giving a high sensitivity and a high sharpness in a radiation image recording and reproducing method is composed of a stimulable phosphor-containing partition which divides the phosphor sheet along its plane into small sections, and stimulable phosphor-incorporated area which is divided with the partition and which has a reflectivity with respect to stimulating rays differing from a reflectivity with respect to the stimulating rays of the partition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for the read-out of a latent image recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet (1) by, for example, X-ray radiation. The apparatus comprises: a drum member (8) having a cylindrical circumferential surface; rotation means (22) for rotating (R) the drum member around the axis (3); means for maintaining the phosphor sheet (1) of a flexible material in the shape of the circumferential surface; a light source (4) for aiming stimulating light (6) at the phosphor surface (2); a photodetector (7) for detecting the light emitted from the phosphor surface under the effect of stimulation; and members (21) for moving (M), relative to the phosphor sheet, the stimulating light beam and the photodetector in a direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A image recording and reading system is constituted by the combination of a stimulable phosphor sheet formed with, on one side thereof, a first stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor which can store radiation energy and electron beam energy and release the stored radiation energy and the stored electron beam energy in the form of light upon being excited with an electromagnetic wave and formed with, on the other side, a second stimulable phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor which can store the energy of visible light and release the stored energy of the visible light in the form of light upon being excited with an electromagnetic wave, and an image reading apparatus including a first stimulating ray source capable of exciting the stimulable phosphor contained in the first stimulable phosphor layer, a second stimulating ray source capable of exciting the stimulable phosphor contained in the second stimulable phosphor layer, a light detector for photoelectrically receiving stimula

Abstract: For use with an optical scanning device, a reading head comprising a housing having at least one bore for accommodating therein a respective photo-multiplier tube and a non-intersecting lateral bore for accommodating therein a stimulating light source for producing a stimulating beam having a first wavelength. A focusing lens is mounted in association with the stimulating light source for focusing the stimulating beam on a film of the scanning device so as to produce stimulated fluorescent light having a second wavelength in the film at a point of contact by the stimulating beam. A window is provided within the housing for mounting therein a filter for transmitting therethrough the stimulated fluorescent light whilst substantially blocking reflections of the stimulating beam.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided to obtain automated, rapid and sensitive scanning of substrate fluorescence, optical density or phosphorescence. The scanner uses a constant path length optical train, which enables the combination of a moving beam for high speed scanning with phase-sensitive detection for noise reduction, comprising a light source, a scanning mirror to receive light from the light source and sweep it across a steering mirror, a steering mirror to receive light from the scanning mirror and reflect it to the substrate, whereby it is swept across the substrate along a scan arc, and a photodetector to receive emitted or scattered light from the substrate, wherein the optical path length from the light source to the photodetector is substantially constant throughout the sweep across the substrate. The optical train can further include a waveguide or mirror to collect emitted or scattered light from the substrate and direct it to the photodetector.

Abstract: An integrating optical collector with a diffusely reflective interior surface and with at least one wavelength selective absorptive filter located therein in a position that nearly bisects the interior of the collector. The filters are highly transmissive in a first wavelength band corresponding to an emission band of a storage phosphor, but highly absorptive in a second wavelength band corresponding to a stimulation band of the phosphor. The filter's wavelength selective properties and nearly bisecting position in the collector minimizes re-illumination of a phosphor at the stimulation wavelength, while permitting efficient radiation collection and detection at the emission wavelengths. A cylindrical collector with two parallel lengthwise slits permitting passage of the scan beam to the phosphor surface is preferred. Two filter plates on opposite sides of the slit may be used, which can either be parallel to each other and to the slits or oriented at an angle with respect to each other.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes three laser stimulating ray sources for emitting a laser beam, a laser beam scanner for scanning the laser beam, a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from an image carrier carrying an image, a scan starting point detector for detecting the laser beam and detecting a scan starting point in a main scanning direction, a laser power adjuster for adjusting power of the laser beam to be projected onto the image carrier in accordance with the kind of the image carrier and a gain switch for switching gain of the scan starting point detector in accordance with the kind of the laser beam and the kind of the image carrier.

Abstract: Labeled targets on a support synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations according to the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854 and PCT WO 92/10092 or others, can be detected by exposing selected regions of sample 1500 to radiation from a source 1100 and detecting the emission therefrom, and repeating the steps of exposition and detection until the sample is completely examined.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 633 nm or 635 nm, a second laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam having a wavelength of 470 to 480 nm, a laser beam scanning device for scanning the laser beam, at least one light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from an image carrier carrying an image, and at least one filter member disposed in front of the light detector and having a plurality of filters for transmitting light of different wavelengths. The thus constituted image reading apparatus can be used for a radiation diagnosis system, an autoradiographic system, an electron microscope detecting system and a radiation diffraction image detecting system using a stimulable phosphor and a fluorescence detecting system and an image can be read with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an electrical representation of a radiation image by means of at least one CCD sensor. A stimulable phosphor plate, the area of which is divided into at least two different portions, is exposed to a radiation image. Each of the portions is stimulated by light guided from a light source, the light having a wavelength within the stimulating wavelength range of the phosphor on the plate and causing the phosphor plate to emit stimulated light. The stimulated light from each phosphor plate portion is guided to at least one two-dimensional CCD sensor kept in a static position relative to the phosphor plate portion, such that the CCD detects the stimulated light. The detected stimulated light is converted into an electrical representation of the plate portion, and the electrical representation of each of the different plate portions is combined to form an electrical representation of the radiation image.

Abstract: A radiation imaging device including a photostimulable phosphor which is a glass including active cations that release light having a wavelength in the blue colour or ultra-violet region when those parts of the glass which have been stimulated by radiation, and a radiation source to irradiate the phosphor and an excitation light source to photostimulate the phosphor. The radiation source may be X-rays, .gamma.-rays, .alpha.-rays, .beta.-rays, electron beams, neutron beams, ion beams, ultra-violet rays having an energy equal to or greater than the band gap of the glass are excited by visible or infra-red light. Ce.sup.3+, Eu.sup.2+ can be used as the active cation, and are preferably included in an amount of 10 mole % or less of all the cations, and particularly preferably in an amount in the range of 0.001 to 2 mole %.

Abstract: A high resolution x-ray imaging device based on a storage phosphor layer. The storage phosphor layer is sandwiched between two arrays of electrodes. In one embodiment of the device, the arrays are orthogonal arrays of linear electrodes, one of the arrays being transparent to the phosphorescence emitted by the storage phosphor. To read a pixel of a latent image stored in the storage phosphor layer, a voltage difference is established between two crossed electrodes that exceeds the threshold voltage of the storage phosphor material. The emitted light is detected by a device such as a CCD array that has coarser resolution than the crossed electrode array: the resolution of the imaging device of the present invention is the electrode width. Preferably, the electrodes are addressed for activation by optical scanning of photoconductive strips adjacent and perpendicular to the electrodes.

Abstract: A method for reading an electron beam image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen wherein the photostimulable phosphor screen is scanned with stimulating radiation and wherein light emitted upon stimulation is converted in to a digital image signal. Enhanced sensitivity is obtained by heating the screen in between exposure to the electron beam image and stimulation of the screen.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes at least two laser stimulating ray sources for emitting laser beams having different wavelengths, a laser beam scanner for scanning an image carrier carrying an image with the laser beam emitted from a selected one of the laser stimulating ray sources and a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from the image carrier, the laser beam scanner being provided with a laser beam transmission portion for transmitting the laser beam therethrough. The image reading apparatus further includes a mirror for reflecting light released from the image carrier to lead it to the light detector. According to the thus constituted image reading apparatus, it is possible to be used for a radiation diagnosis system, an autoradiographic system, an electron microscope detecting system and a radiation diffraction image detecting system using a stimulable phosphor and a fluorescence detecting system and accurately reading an image with a simple structure.

Abstract: In a radiation image information read apparatus, a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which radiation image information has been stored, is scanned with stimulating rays, and light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof is photoelectrically detected by a photodetector and converted into an electric image signal bearing thereon the radiation image information. A solid laser crystal which emits a laser beam having a wavelength of .lambda.2 pumped by a laser beam at a wavelength of .lambda.1 from a laser diode is combined with a nonlinear optical crystal which converts the laser beam at .lambda.2 to a laser beam at .lambda.3 within the stimulating wavelength range of the stimulable phosphor sheet, is employed as a source of the stimulating light. A filter which cuts the laser beam at .lambda.3 and transmits light emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet, is disposed between the stimulable phosphor sheet and the photodetector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining several laser systems, forming a ganged laser assembly and measuring and correcting vertical and horizontal displacements, and reducing spot size variations. The combined laser beams are scanned in a bow-tie path on a continuously moving medium.