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: A photomultiplier which detects feeble light emitted by the irradiation of excitation light on an image carrier carrying an image related to a living organism has an integration circuit is DC-coupled with a photomultiplier to convert a current signal output from the photomultiplier, to a voltage signal. The voltage signal converted by the integration circuit is logarithmically compressed with a logarithmic conversion circuit. An offset compensation circuit is provided for reducing an offset voltage that could occur because of charge injection in the integral action of the integration circuit.

Abstract: X-ray image degradation due to scattered radiation is reduced in a system using a planar sensor sheet by providing an X-ray absorbing sheet in front of the sensor sheet, or in back of the sensor sheet, or both. The thickness and material of construction of each X-ray absorbing sheet depends on the X-ray absorptivity of the material used, and whether the absorbing sheet is in front or in back of the sensor sheet. The front absorbing sheet is preferably as close as possible to the sensor sheet. The back absorbing sheet, if used, can be at essentially any distance from the sensor sheet, beyond a certain minimum, consistent with practical space limitations in the overall physical shape and design of the unit.

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: In a radiation image acquisition apparatus that obtains a radiation image recorded on a stimulable phosphor layer having a plurality of arranged cells, the quantity of stimulated emissions from the stimulable phosphor within each cell is obtained precisely for each cell as a digital image signal. A radiation image conversion panel comprising a phosphor layer formed of multiple cells filled with stimulable phosphor having recorded on the surface thereof a radiation image is scanned with a stimulating light beam by a scanning unit, and the stimulated emissions caused thereby are photoelectrically detected as an analog image signal by a photoelectrical amplifier. The signal component representing the partition walls is recognized, and the component of the analog image signal obtained between the recognized signal components representing the cell partition walls is digitized and a digital image signal is obtained.

Abstract: A double-sided stimulable phosphor sheet, which emits light from both sides thereof when exciting light is applied to a recording surface thereof, is fed in an auxiliary scanning direction indicated by the arrow A by first and second roller pairs. First and second guide members are disposed on the side of the reverse surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, for guiding the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a glass guide is disposed on the side of the reverse surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet in a position where a laser beam is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet. The first and second guide members and the glass guide are integrally mounted on a guide mount. Radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet can efficiently be read highly accurately without damage being caused to the stimulable phosphor sheet.

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. Light, which is emitted from the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is received and photoelectrically converted by a line sensor. Outputs of the line sensor are corrected in accordance with variation in sensitivity among a plurality of pixel regions of the line sensor, which pixel regions are arrayed along the length direction of the linear area of the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: An X-Ray cassette (1) and a device (10) for reading information stored in a memory layer (15) are disclosed. This device (10) contains a radiation source (11) to excite a row (34) of the memory layer (15). The row (34) emits an emission radiation (17) because of this excitation. The device (10) based on the invention contains a receptor (12) to receive the emission radiation (17). The receptor (12) includes a number of light-sensitive surfaces (18) that are arranged in adjacent rows. According to the invention, the dimension of the light-sensitive surfaces (18) of the receptor (12) arranged perpendicular to the orientation (A) of the rows (34) is greater than that oriented along the row direction (B). Alternatively or additionally, the device can include an optical projector (14) by means of which the emission radiation (17) is projected onto the receptor (12).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing radiation to and from a sample to be scanned. In one example, first radiation propagating along a first axis is reflected off of the first axis so as to impinge on the sample. In response to the first radiation, the sample emits second radiation, which is directed to a detector. In one aspect, the second radiation is received directly from the sample by a reflector, which reflects the second radiation such that it travels substantially through air to impinge on the detector. In another aspect, the second radiation is directed such that it travels toward the detector in a direction having a significant vector component parallel to the first axis. In yet another aspect, a detection surface of the detector is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first axis and adapted to detect at least some of the second radiation traveling in a direction non-parallel to the first axis.

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: At least two stimulable phosphor sheets are superposed with an energy separation filter, which absorbs low energy components of radiation, intervening therebetween and are exposed to radiation carrying image information of an object, and radiation images of the object are stored on the sheets. A first image signal is detected from a first sheet located on the side close to the object. A stimulable phosphor sheet, which allows detection of two image signals from its opposite surfaces, is utilized as a second sheet located on the side remote from the object. An addition process is performed on a front surface side image signal, which has been detected from a front surface of the second sheet, and a back surface side image signal, which has been detected from a back surface of the second sheet, in order to obtain a second image signal. A subtraction process is performed on the first image signal and the thus obtained second image signal, and an energy subtraction image signal is thereby obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a radiation image information reader for reading radiation image information from a stimulable phosphor sheet and obtaining an image signal which represents the radiation image information. The radiation image information reader comprises a horizontal scan section and a read section. The horizontal scan section is used for horizontally scanning a plurality of spot-sized excitation light beams simultaneously onto the phosphor sheet at predetermined intervals on a horizontal scanning line. The read section is used to obtain the image signal which represents the radiation image information by photoelectrically detecting photostimulated luminescent light beams, emitted from portions of the sheet irradiated with the excitation light beams and/or from portions on a bottom surface of the sheet which correspond to the irradiated portions, by horizontal scanning of the excitation light beams.

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: 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. Light, which is emitted from the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays, is received and photoelectrically converted by a line sensor. The line sensor comprises a pair of one-dimensional CCD image sensors. Light receiving regions of the one-dimensional CCD image sensors are located close to each other with respect to a direction normal to the length direction of the linear area of the sheet and with a fine gap intervening between the light receiving regions.

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: A method and apparatus for factoring large numbers which utilizes an optoelectronic device that has a wafer at one end that contains a plurality of LEDs. Each LED is associated with at least one period pj and at least one delay dj. A clock drives the plurality of LEDs responsive to clock cycles to flash for one clock cycle at times described by the processing pj•r+dl for r≧0. The light intensity flashed by the LEDs is controlled by a filter to be proportional to log2 (pj), and a photodetector positioned at the other end of the cylinder collects the light flashed by the LEDs.

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 reading a radiation image converting panel whereby pillar-shaped stimulatable fluorescent substances formed on a supporting member by deposition are excited by irradiating excitation light to a surface of the radiation image converting panel on which radiation energy has been stored and recorded by irradiation of the radiation; emitting the radiation energy as photostimulated fluorescent light; and reading out the photostimulated fluorescent light photoelectrically from both surfaces of the radiation image converting panel.

Abstract: A method of compensating for differences in detective gain between a plurality of different scanning heads in a multiple scanning head imaging plate scanner, comprising: (a) scanning each of the scanning heads across an imaging plate thereby determining the detected signal at successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads; (b) calculating an inverse relationship to the detected signal at successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads; (c) scanning each of the scanning heads across an imaging plate containing an image thereon, thereby determining an image value at the successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads; and (d) applying the inverse relationship to the determined image values at the successive locations across the imaging plate for each of the scanning heads.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading information stored in a memory phosphor has a detecting device with an array of radiation-sensitive surface segments which during a pre-settable integration time interval receive a secondary radiation emitted by the memory phosphor. The apparatus includes a controller device that sets the integration time interval dependent on an amount of secondary radiation that was received at a preceding time. The controller device can also connect the radiation-sensitive surface segments into groups whose size depends on the amount of secondary radiation that was received at a preceding time.

Abstract: A digital image signal is read out at a predetermined picture element density by causing a light beam to repeatedly scan a recording medium bearing thereon an image in a main scanning direction at a predetermined main scanning speed while moving the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction at a predetermined sub-scanning speed, thereby two-dimensionally scanning the recording medium with the light beam, photoelectrically detecting signal light emitted from the recording medium upon exposure to the light beam to obtain an analog image signal, sampling the analog image signal at a predetermined intervals, and quantizing the sampled values.

Abstract: A radiation image data readout apparatus in which read out is performed so that a detected light quantity for each CCD element of each CCD sensor is set at a quantity below the saturation charge quantity of each CCD element, and the level of noise is reduced. The radiation energy stored on a readout-line of a stimulable phosphor sheet is estimated, and based on the estimated quantity of radiation energy, a controller sets the readout conditions, which are formed of the charge accumulation time of the readout line and the binning conditions, and readout is performed by a line sensor according to these conditions.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel has a stimulable phosphor layer which is parted into a plurality of cells regularly arranged at least in a main scanning direction by a partition wall and has been exposed to a radiation bearing a radiation image of an object. The radiation image conversion panel is scanned by a stimulating light beam in the main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction and stimulated emission emitted from the radiation image conversion panel upon stimulation by the stimulating light beam is photoelectrically detected to make up an analog image signal and a digital image signal representing a radiation image of the object is obtained by digitizing the analog image signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for radiographic image includes a plurality of light emitting diodes two of which produce light in the optical or visible wavelengths, another one of which produces light in an infrared wavelength so that pumping light can be supplied to a variety of radiographic substrate media. The pumping light is supplied to the medium by a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a linear array as the medium is scanned beneath the fibers. A second plurality of linear optical fibers picks up phosphorescent emissions from the radiographic medium due to the pumping light excitation and supplies the emissions to a photodiode or other optical receiver where the light intensity is translated into an electrical signal. The signal is sent to a processor which generates an image signal. The image signal may then be converted into an image representative of the latent x-ray image on the radiographic medium.

Abstract: An image signal is read out by use of a stimulable phosphor sheet having a layer of stimulable phosphor which emits stimulated emission in proportion to the stored energy of radiation upon exposure to stimulating light and a solid image sensor having a photoconductive material layer which exhibits electric conductivity upon exposure to the stimulated emission from the stimulable phosphor sheet. Stimulating light is caused to scan a stimulable phosphor sheet which has been exposed to radiation and has stored an image, the photoconductive material layer is caused to be exposed to stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light. Then electric charges generated in the photoconductive material layer upon exposure to the stimulated emission is detected by applying an electric field to the photoconductive material layer.

Abstract: Stimulating rays are irradiated linearly along a main scanning direction onto a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, and light emitted from the linear area of the sheet exposed to the linear stimulating rays is received with a line sensor via a light collecting optical system. The line sensor comprises photoelectric conversion devices arrayed along the main scanning direction. An optical guide member is located between the light collecting optical system and the line sensor. The optical guide member has a reflection surface for reflecting the emitted light, which has been radiated out from the light collecting optical system and has spread over a range wider than a width of each of the photoelectric conversion devices, the width being taken in a sub-scanning direction, such that the photoelectric conversion devices can receive the emitted light.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus provided with a reader for reading a radiation image irradiated onto a radiation image converting medium and for obtaining image information; a first inputting device for inputting a first instruction to inhibit the image information from being outputted to an external apparatus; and a second inputting device for inputting a second instruction to output the image information to the external apparatus; when the first inputting device inputs the first instruction to inhibit, even if the second inputting device inputs the second instruction to output, the image information is not outputted to the external apparatus.

Abstract: A waiting time between when a radiation image of an object was stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet and when readout of the radiation image from the stimulable phosphor sheet is begun is set in accordance with an intensity of radiation after-glow, which continues to occur with the stimulable phosphor sheet after the radiation image was stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet. The step of reading out the radiation image and a step of moving the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to an image read-out section is controlled such that the readout of the radiation image from the stimulable phosphor sheet is begun after the waiting time, which has been set, has elapsed. Adverse effects of the radiation after-glow are thus reduced with a simple constitution.

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: Stimulating light is projected onto a stimulable phosphor sheet while the image read-out mechanism is being moved in a sub-scanning direction relatively to the stimulable phosphor sheet and stimulated emission emitted from the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating light is detected by the photoelectric converter. The image read-out mechanism is moved back and forth in the sub-scanning direction. First and second image signals are obtained on the basis of the stimulated emission detected during the forward and backward movements of the image read-out mechanism, and an image signal representing the radiation image on the stimulable phosphor sheet is obtained on the basis of the first and second image signals.

Abstract: In a radiation image read-out apparatus, the line sensor has a light receiving face whose width in the transverse direction of the line portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet exposed to the line stimulating beam is such that 30% to 90% of the amount of stimulated emission corresponding to a part of the stimulated emission spreading beyond the width of the line stimulating light beam as measured on the plane of the light receiving face of the stimulated emission detecting means can be received by the light receiving face in addition to the amount of stimulated emission corresponding to the width of the line stimulating light beam.

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, and light emitted from the linear area of the sheet upon stimulation is photoelectrically converted by a line sensor. Outputs of several pixel regions of the line sensor, which are adjacent to one another along the length direction of the linear area of the sheet and have widths taken in the length direction of the linear area of the sheet such that a sum of the widths is equal to the width of one pixel in a final image, are added together in order to constitute an image signal component representing one pixel in the final image.

Abstract: A method for reading a radiation image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen. The phosphor screen includes a divalent europium activated cesium halide phosphor wherein the halide is at least one of chloride and bromide. Light emitted by the phosphor screen upon stimulation is separated from stimulation light using a filter including a dye.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam, a base made of transparent material and bearing thereon an image carrier which carries a fluorescence image formed by a fluorescent substance which can be excited and can release fluorescent light in response to irradiation by the laser beam, a laser beam scaner for upwardly scanning a bottom surface of the image carrier borne on the base with the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source through the base, a light detector provided below the base for photoelectrically detecting fluorescent light released from the image carrier, and an image carrier receiving portion provided on the base and containing a substance having a refractive index larger than that of air and closer to that of the image carrier than that of air, the substance filling gaps between the image carrier and the base.

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 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: 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: In the obtainment of image signals by receiving emitted light, generated by a stimulable phosphor sheet due to irradiation thereof by an excitation light, at the light receiving surfaces of photoelectric conversion elements, then obtaining an electrical image signal based on the charges stored in the photoelectric conversion elements by an image signal obtainment means comprising a charge transfer path and an output circuit, the area surrounding the light receiving surfaces of the photoelectric conversion elements have been covered by a filter that absorbs only blue light, and the emitted light is received.

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: A radiation-image data readout apparatus in which the charge transferring time occurring during a readout operation utilizing a line sensor having a broad-width light-receiving portion is shortened is provided. A line sensor having two photodiode portions, each having a width of 100 um, disposed adjacently with a microscopic gap therebetween, and a charge transferring device corresponding to each photodiode portion provided on the exterior side in the width direction of each corresponding photodiode portion, are provided.

Abstract: The charge read out efficiency of a line sensor utilizing a large photodiode is improved. A line sensor formed of a photoelectric converting portion utilizing a photodiode divided into a plurality of regions and having a potential inclination configuration wherein the potential wells thereof become deeper the closer the position thereof is to a readout gate is provided.

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: A radiation image read-out apparatus includes a stimulating light projecting system which projects a line stimulating light beam onto a stimulable phosphor sheet, a line sensor consisting of a plurality of photoelectric convertor elements which detect stimulated emission emitted from the portion exposed to the line stimulating beam and are arranged in a row, a condenser lens which is disposed along the line sensor to collect the stimulated emission on the light receiving face of the line sensor and a sub-scanning mechanism which moves one of the line sensor and the stimulable phosphor sheet relatively to each other in a sub-scanning direction. The condenser lens has a chromatic aberration of magnification in the sub-scanning direction such that most of the stimulated emission is collected on the light receiving and most of the stimulating light is collected outside the light receiving face.

Abstract: The invention concerns a network system for radiographing radiation images. The network system includes a plurality of radiation-image reading apparatus to read the radiation images stored in radiation-image storing sheets, so as to generate image data sets each of which corresponds to each of the radiation images, and a plurality of controllers to register discrimination information sets each of which corresponds to each of the radiation-image storing sheets. Each of the controllers can display a radiation image for confirmation, when it receives an image data set corresponding to the radiation image. A radiation-image reading apparatus reads a discrimination information set recorded on a radiation-image storing sheet loaded into the radiation-image reading apparatus.

Abstract: A radiation image readout apparatus for reading out, by use of a line sensor formed of a plurality of photoelectric converting elements arranged in a straight line, a radiation image stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet etc., wherein the occurrence of a Moiré effect in the final image is controlled by preventing feedback distortion, is provided. A focusing optical system formed of a first lens array for causing a stimulated emission to become a parallel luminous flux and a second lens array for focusing the parallel luminous flux onto a dichroic mirror and line sensor for transmitting the parallel flux is provided. The refraction ratio of the second lens array and the positional relation of the second Selfoc lens array and the dichroic mirror are adjusted so that the MTF is 50% or less of the Nyquist frequency determined by the width of the direction X of the photoelectric converting elements.

Abstract: An image read-out apparatus includes a reading light projecting system which projects a line reading light beam onto a image-bearing medium, and an image-bearing light detecting system having a line sensor which receives image-bearing light emitted from the portion exposed to the line reading beam and converts the amount of image-bearing light to an electric signal. The image-bearing light detecting system includes an erecting unit optical system which focuses the image-bearing light on the line sensor and an optical element array formed by a plurality of first and second optical elements which are alternately arranged along the erecting unit optical system and lead the image-bearing light passing through the erecting unit optical system in different directions. The line sensor has a first sensor which receives light led by the first optical elements and a second sensor which receives light led by the second optical elements.

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: 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: An integration circuit is DC-coupled with a photomultiplier to convert a current signal output from the photomultiplier, to a voltage signal. The voltage signal converted by the integration circuit is logarithmically compressed with a logarithmic conversion circuit. An offset compensation circuit is provided for reducing an offset voltage that could occur because of charge injection in the integral action of the integration circuit.

Abstract: Stimulating rays are linearly irradiated onto an area of a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored by use of a stationary grid. Light emitted by the sheet is detected with a line sensor constituted such that a reciprocal of an array pitch of photoelectric conversion devices is larger than a value two times as large as a spatial frequency of stripe-like grid patterns recorded due to the stationary grid, which spatial frequency is taken with respect to an array direction of the photoelectric conversion devices. Filtering processing for removing the grid patterns is performed on an image signal having been outputted from the line sensor.