Abstract: An erasure assembly for imaging plates comprised of a cover member and a base member, the cover member in the form of an inverted rectangular tray having a plurality of light sources and reflective sources mounted therein behind a diffuser glass member, the base member, complimentary with the cover member having a support area for the placement of imaging plates on their non-reactive surface, their photo-stimulable surface facing upwardly, the cover member closed upon the base member and there being a control means to activate the light sources for a time sufficient to erase the retained images on the photo-stimulable surface of the image plates.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus includes a plurality of radiation image convertor panels superposed one on another in a direction in which radiation passing through an object propagates. A separator separates the superposed radiation image convertor panels exposed to the radiation passing through the object from one another by moving in a parallel displacement and/or rotating about an axis on a plane parallel to the surfaces of the radiation image convertor panels one or more of the superposed radiation image convertor panels relatively to the others. A single detecting head detects stimulated emission emitted from each of the radiation image convertor panels separated by the separator.

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: One surface of a stimulable phosphor sheet supported at a position for image recording is exposed to radiation. A radiation image having thus been stored on the sheet is read out. Energy remaining on the sheet is released by irradiating erasing light to an entire area of the sheet with an erasing light source located on a side of the other surface of the sheet supported at the position for image recording, which other surface is opposite to the one surface of the sheet exposed to the radiation. A filter having transmitting properties with respect to the erasing light and good absorbing properties with respect to the radiation is located on a side of the erasing light source, which side stands facing the sheet.

Abstract: A radiographic image reading apparatus for reading image information stored in a storage phosphor sheet from a cassette in which the storage phosphor sheet is incorporated and on which code information is recorded at a predetermined position, includes: an insertion opening into which the cassette is inserted; a code information read mechanism for reading the code information of the cassette shifted to an end side of a width direction of the inserting opening; a width shifting mechanism for shifting the cassette in which the code information is read by the code information read mechanism, to a center of a width direction of a conveyance mechanism for conveying the cassette; a separation mechanism for separating the cassette shifted by the width shifting mechanism in order to read the image information stored in the storage phosphor sheet; and an image information read mechanism for reading the image information stored in the storage phosphor sheet of the back panel separated by the separation mechanism so as t

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. Light emitted from the radiographic medium due to excitation by the pumping light supplies the emitted light to an optical receiver where an image signal responsive to the light intensity of the emitted light is generated. The image signal is sent to a processor to generate an image representative of the latent X-ray. An erasing of the latent x-ray image may be accomplished in the same machine apparatus that generates the representative image. Preferably, multiple erasure operations are performed with a relaxation period, e.g., three to ten seconds between successive erasing operations.

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 device and a method for reading out information stored in a storage layer (15), and an X-ray cassette are proposed which make use for the purpose of erasing information stored in the storage layer (15) of an erasing means (11, 12, 14) which generates an erasure radiation (17). This erasure radiation (17) can have both a first and a second intensity, the first intensity being larger than the second intensity.

Abstract: A radiation image that has been stored in photostimulable phosphor screen comprising a divalent europium activated cesium halide is read out by stimulating the phosphor screen by means of stimulating radiation, detecting light emitted by the phosphor screen upon stimulation and converting the detected light into a signal representation of said radiation image. After read out the phosphor screen is erased by exposing it to erasing light emitted by at least one electroluminescent lamp or by an array of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A radiation image readout apparatus which provides the option of selecting whether or not radiation energy is to be erased after readout thereof has been performed, which is provided with a readout portion for reading out the image data of a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet, and an erasing means for erasing the radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after readout therefrom has been performed. The apparatus also has a mode input switch for selecting and inputting the desired readout mode from among the three choices of readout-and-erase mode, readout only mode, and erase only mode, and a control means for controlling the readout means and the erasing means according to the mode that has been selected and input.

Abstract: A radiation image read out method and apparatus including stimulating a divalent europium activated cesium halide phosphor screen wherein the halide is at least one of chloride and bromide, that has been exposed to a radiation image, detecting light emitted by the phosphor screen upon stimulation, and erasing the phosphor screen by exposing it to erasing light emitted by at least one laser source.

Abstract: A radiation image read out method and apparatus including stimulating a divalent europium activated cesium halide phosphor screen wherein the halide is at least one of chloride and bromide, that has been exposed to a radiation image, detecting light emitted by the phosphor screen upon stimulation, and erasing the phosphor screen by exposing it to erasing light emitted by an erasing light source assembly having an electrical erasing energy not greater than Smax×1 Joule wherein Smax is the maximum surface area of the stimulable phosphor screen read out in a read out apparatus.

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 stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The stimulating rays are irradiated to a surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, which surface is opposite to a radiation irradiation side surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet. The light, which is emitted from the two surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet, is photoelectrically detected to read out the radiation image. Residual energy, which remains on the stimulable phosphor sheet after the radiation image has been read out therefrom, is released. An image read-out section, in which the step of reading out the radiation image is performed, and an erasing section, in which the step of releasing the residual energy is performed, are reciprocally moved together with each other with respect to the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel having rigidity, which is provided with a stimulable phosphor layer and on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause the radiation image storage panel to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The light emitted from a front surface of the radiation image storage panel and the light emitted from a back surface of the radiation image storage panel are photoelectrically converted into image signals respectively. The radiation image storage panel may comprise a transparent substrate having rigidity and the stimulable phosphor layer overlaid on the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A computed radiography (CR) reader comprising: an image plate loading and unloading station for receiving in a vertical orientation a CR cassette including a light tight cassette shell and an image plate supported by an extrusion closing off said shell, said image plate storing a latent radiographic image, a scanning station located below said loading and unloading station at which said image plate is scanned, and an image plate transport assembly for removing said image plate from said cassette shell and for vertically transporting said image plate past said scanning station while said image plate is being removed from said cassette.

Abstract: A device for read-out and erasing information from storage sheets which are located in a cassette. The device includes a cassette holder, means for opening the cassette, a scanner for read-out the stored information, an erasing device for erasing the stored information and a transport device which transports the storage sheet past the scanner and the erasing device. According to the invention, the erasing device is provided between the cassette holder and the scanner.

Abstract: A cassette is provided having an emitter for emitting an erasing light to release residual radiation energy from a stimulable phosphor sheet stored therein does not need to be conveyed to a power supply unit, and in which an emission time of the emitter can be controlled appropriately. The cassette storing the sheet for recording a radiation image therein and comprising a stimulable phosphor layer formed on a substrate thereof has the emitter for irradiating the erasing light on the sheet and a power supply for causing the emitter to emit the erasing light, and a control circuit for controlling the emission time.

Abstract: One surface of a stimulable phosphor sheet supported at a position for image recording is exposed to radiation. A radiation image having thus been stored on the sheet is read out. Energy remaining on the sheet is released by irradiating erasing light to an entire area of the sheet with an erasing light source located on a side of the other surface of the sheet supported at the position for image recording, which other surface is opposite to the one surface of the sheet exposed to the radiation. A filter having transmitting properties with respect to the erasing light and good absorbing properties with respect to the radiation is located on a side of the erasing light source, which side stands facing the sheet.

Abstract: One surface of a stimulable phosphor sheet supported at a position for image recording is exposed to radiation, and a radiation image is stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet. Image readout is performed from the side of the other surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet supported at the position for image recording. Energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet is then released by irradiating erasing light to an entire area of the stimulable phosphor sheet with a sheet-shaped erasing light source, which has uniform transmissivity to radiation and is located close to the one surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet supported at the position for image recording.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet to be employed in a radiation image double-side reading system is preferably has the following condition: radiation energy image erasability on a front side surface onto which stimulating rays are to be applied being lower than that on a back side surface in such manner that a ratio of a difference of an erasing value to a lower erasing value determined on the front side surface or on the back side surface is less than 10%.

Abstract: A method for erasing a radiation image remaining in a stimulable phosphor sheet in which a radiation image was recorded and then read by applying stimulating rays onto the phosphor sheet and collecting stimulated emission from the phosphor sheet is performed by applying onto the stimulable phosphor sheet an erasing light containing essentially no light of a wavelength of shorter than 370 nm.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which energy having been stored thereon during its exposure to radiation remains, is moved with respect to a plurality of fluorescent lamps, which produce erasing light. The erasing light is irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet while the stimulable phosphor sheet is being moved, and energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet is thereby released. The plurality of the fluorescent lamps are located such that they may stand side by side with one another in a direction that intersects perpendicularly to the direction along which each of the fluorescent lamps extends. The direction, along which the stimulable phosphor sheet is moved with respect to the plurality of the fluorescent lamps, coincides with the direction along which each of the fluorescent lamps extends. Impartation of excessively high erasing energy to the stimulable phosphor sheet is thus restricted, and erasing energy efficiency is thereby enhanced.

Abstract: A radiation image readout apparatus which provides the option of selecting whether or not radiation energy is to be erased after readout thereof has been performed, which is provided with a readout portion for reading out the image data of a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet, and an erasing means for erasing the radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after readout therefrom has been performed. The apparatus also has a mode input switch for selecting and inputting the desired readout mode from among the three choices of readout-and-erase mode, readout only mode, and erase only mode, and a control means for controlling the readout means and the erasing means according to the mode that has been selected and input.

Abstract: An apparatus housing and a controller are separate from each other, and opposite sides of a second casing of the apparatus housing have respective first and second cable ports defined therein for extending a cable connected to the controller. With the cable extended through the first cable port or the second cable port, the layout of the apparatus housing and the controller can easily be changed. Therefore, the apparatus housing and the controller can be installed in any of various layout patterns.

Abstract: A process for erasing a radiation image remaining in a stimulable phosphor sheet in which a radiation image was recorded and then read by applying stimulating rays and collecting stimulated emission produced from the phosphor sheet is performed by applying erasing light onto the phosphor sheet under the condition that both front and back surfaces of the phosphor sheet are irradiated with the erasing light so that the ratio of amount of erasing light applied onto the front surface to that applied onto the back surface would be in the range of 51/49 to 75/25.

Abstract: A cassette in which a radiographic image converting plate is accommodated, comprises a case having an opening; a tray on which the radiographic image converting plate is loaded; and a cap capable of being fitted with the opening, the cap connected with the tray so that the tray is moved together with the cap so as to be inserted into or drawn out from the case through the opening, the position of the cap capable of being displaced relative to the tray.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapidly removing stored energy from (i.e., erasing) a reusable photostimulable storage phosphor screen use a first source of electromagnetic radiation which primarily outputs a wavelength or wavelengths of about 577 nanometers to about 597 nanometers, and a second source of electromagnetic radiation which primarily outputs a wavelength or wavelengths in the infrared region. Exposure to the second source of radiation may occur either after, or simultaneously with, exposure to the first source of radiation. During exposure to the first source of electromagnetic energy, ultraviolet radiation is filtered out so that none reaches the phosphor screen, or a first source is selected which does not output substantially any ultraviolet radiation. The first source of electromagnetic radiation erases the phosphor screen to a homogenized quasi-erased state.

Abstract: A stimulable phosphor sheet, on which energy having been stored thereon during its exposure to radiation remains, is moved with respect to a plurality of fluorescent lamps, which produce erasing light. The erasing light is irradiated to the stimulable phosphor sheet while the stimulable phosphor sheet is being moved, and energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet is thereby released. The plurality of the fluorescent lamps are located such that they may stand side by side with one another in a direction that intersects perpendicularly to the direction along which each of the fluorescent lamps extends. The direction, along which the stimulable phosphor sheet is moved with respect to the plurality of the fluorescent lamps, coincides with the direction along which each of the fluorescent lamps extends. Impartation of excessively high erasing energy to the stimulable phosphor sheet is thus restricted, and erasing energy efficiency is thereby enhanced.

Abstract: A method for checking whether an article has been inspected by penetrating radiation is described, wherein the article is provided with a heat stimulable storage phosphor whereby penetrating radiation leaves a human- or machine-readable semi-permanent or permanent mark. The article is irradiated in order that both the article and the stimulable storage phosphor are irradiated. The article is checked by heating the storage phosphor, releasing flourescent light and detecting the flourescent light by human eye.

Abstract: Radiation having a high energy level is irradiated to an object, and high energy image information corresponding to the radiation having a high energy level, which radiation carries image information of the object, is thereby stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet, which allows light detection from its front surface that stands facing the object, and from its back surface. Primarily the image information, which has been stored at a portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet on the front surface side, is erased. Thereafter, radiation having a low energy level is irradiated to the object, and low energy image information corresponding to the radiation having a low energy level, which radiation carries image information of the object, is thereby stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet.

Abstract: A radiation image recording and reproducing system includes a conveyor which conveys a stimulable phosphor sheet along a predetermined circulation passage in an image recording section which is disposed on the circulation passage and records a radiation image of an object on the stimulable phosphor sheet by exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet to radiation through the object. At least one grid is provided in the image recording section and the position of the stimulable phosphor sheet in the image recording section relative to the grid with respect to the projecting direction in which the radiation is projected onto the stimulable phosphor sheet upon recording of the radiation image of the object is changed according to the amount of radiation to be scattered by the object.

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: A radiation image storage panel composed of a support sheet and a stimulable phosphor layer, in which the support sheet shows a light transmittance of not less than 70% in the wavelength region between 400 nm and 800 nm and a haze of 10 to 30 is favorably employed in a radiation image reading system employing a double-side reading system in which a stimulating step and an erasing step are simultaneously performed in parallel on the same storage panel.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel comprises a substrate and a stimulable phosphor layer, which is overlaid on the substrate and emits light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation when it is exposed to stimulating rays. The substrate is constituted of a material, which transmits the light emitted by the stimulable phosphor layer and absorbs and/or scatters light having wavelengths falling within a stimulation wavelength range for the stimulable phosphor layer. The light having wavelengths falling within the stimulation wavelength range is thus prevented from passing or propagating through the substrate, and the signal-to-noise ratio of an image signal detected from the radiation image storage panel is thereby prevented from becoming low.

Abstract: A radiation image read out method and apparatus wherein a photostimulable phosphor screen that has been exposed to radiation is read and erased and wherein a signal representative of the residual image still left in the screen after erasure is obtained and thresholded. In this way screens that have not been erased to an acceptable extent can be identified.

Abstract: A radiation image stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet is read-out by exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet to stimulating rays, photoelectrically detecting light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet by a photomultiplier and converting it into an electric image signal in a read-out section while feeding the stimulable phosphor sheet through a read-out section toward an erasing section. Residual radiation image information on the stimulable phosphor sheet is erased by exposing the portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet which is fed to the erasing section after passing through the read-out section to first erasing light, and exposing the stimulable phosphor sheet to second erasing light while feeding the stimulable phosphor sheet through the erasing section toward the read-out section.

Abstract: A radiation image reading and erasing apparatus for deriving image signals in such a manner that an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object, onto which radiation images are accumulated and stored, is scanned with an excitation light, and an accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent light, which is emitted from the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object, is received. The apparatus is designed to obtain image data free of unwanted noises, and to occupy less space. The accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object is irradiated with a laser beam passing through a slit member to photomultipliers through reflection between sheets. The slit member may move with up-and-down motions. The sheets are taken-up or sent out by or from the associated take-up rollers, respectively, in accordance with the movement of slit member. The apparatus also has an erasing unit with a movable reflector to erase image information from the accelerated phosphorescence fluorescent material object.

Abstract: A storage phosphor imaging system includes a scanner for scanning a storage phosphor storing an x-ray image to produce an x-ray light image, a converter for converting the x-ray light image into a digital x-ray image signal having a range of code values, and a storage phosphor erase light assembly for erasing the storage phosphor of substantially all residual image. Apparatus for controlling the erase light assembly includes a digital image processor for determining the maximum code value of a digital x-ray image signal which is produced from an x-ray image stored in a storage phosphor to be erased; and a controller for controlling the time of actuation of the erase light assembly as a function of the determined maximum code value.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of a method for erasing a radiation image remaining in a stimulable phosphor sheet which has stored a radiation image and has been irradiated with stimulating rays to read the radiation image. The improvement comprises a first erasing step of irradiating the phosphor sheet with a first erasing light containing a light portion of wavelength in ultraviolet region; and a second erasing step of irradiating the phosphor sheet with a second erasing light containing no light portion of wavelength in ultraviolet region, said second erasing light and said first erasing light being employed in a ratio of amount of light in the range of 15/85 to 45/55. Devices for erasing radiation image appropriately employable in the above-mentioned method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for reading an image from a stimulable phosphor sheet (1) carrying a radiation image thereon. The apparatus comprises exposing means (2) for exposing the sheet (1) to scanning stimulating radiation which causes the sheet (1) to emit light in the pattern of the stored image, the stimulating radiation being deflected into the trace direction by means of galvanometric deflection. Detecting means (13) photo-electrically detect the emitted light. Erasing means (22) progressively exposes the sheet (1) to erasing radiation during the retrace steps of the galvanometric deflection to erase any residual image on the sheet (1) to enable subsequent re-use thereof by exposure of the sheet (1) to erasing radiation.

Abstract: A radiation image storage panel comprising a stimulable phosphor layer and an erasing light-diffusion preventive layer capable of allowing transmission of stimulated emission while preventing an erasing light from diffusing within the preventive layer along its plane is favorably employed in a radiation image reading system employing a double-side reading system in which a stimulating step and an erasing step are simultaneously performed in parallel on the same storage panel.

Abstract: In a radiation image reading apparatus, a photostimulated phosphor member absorbs a portion of radiation energy transmitted through an object and stores the absorbed radiation energy as a latent image. An excitation light source irradiates excitation light on the photostimulated phosphor member which then emits photostimulated luminescence light which is received and converged by an image reading device, and the latter outputting, as image information, an electrical signal which is dependent on a light intensity of the photostimulated luminescence light. A source of erasing light, having a spectral distribution band positioned substantially in a visible light region and which is normally ON, includes a shutter which is selectively opened to irradiate the erasing light on the photostimulated phosphor during an erasure time and otherwise is closed.

Abstract: In a method for detecting an energy level of residual noise on a stimulable phosphor sheet, a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which a radiation image has been stored, is exposed to stimulating rays, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to radiation. The emitted light is detected, and the radiation image is thereby read out. A predetermined amount of erasing energy is given to the stimulable phosphor sheet, from which the radiation image has been read out, and noise having an energy level not higher than a predetermined energy level, which noise is among noise due to radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet, is thereby erased. Residual noise is then read out from the stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the noise having the energy level not higher than the predetermined energy level has been erased. An energy level of the residual noise, which has thus been read out, is then detected.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus includes cassette support devices for releasably supporting at least two cassettes, each of which can house a single stimulable phosphor sheet therein. A read-out unit moves between at least two read-out positions, each of which corresponds to one of the cassettes supported by the cassette support devices, and at each of which a radiation image is read out from a stimulable phosphor sheet taken out of each cassette. An erasing device is located so as to correspond to each read-out position. A sheet conveyance system takes a stimulable phosphor sheet out of each cassette, conveys the stimulable phosphor sheet into the read-out unit and the erasing device, and then returns the stimulable phosphor sheet into the cassette. The waiting period of the read-out unit and the waiting period of the erasing device are kept short, and the cycle time for the image read-out and erasing operations is thereby kept short as a whole.

Abstract: A vertical autoloader capable of handling a variety of different size cassettes without the use of pallets, which includes a separator mechanism and an indexer mechanism. The separator mechanism has a plurality of partitions that define a plurality of slots, and the indexer mechanism has a plurality of partitions that define a plurality of slots corresponding to the slots defined by the partitions of the separator mechanism. An indexer drive mechanism moves the indexer mechanism with respect to a home position of the separator mechanism, wherein the slots defined by the partitions of the indexer mechanism are moved by one position with respect to the slots defined by the partitions of the separator mechanism.

Abstract: In a known method for radiographic imaging, a phosphor sheet capable of stimulation with radiation and carrying stored thereon an image pattern obtained e.g. by an X-ray exposure through a patient's body, is exposed to stimulating radiation, such as a laser beam, which causes the sheet to emit light in the pattern of the stored image and the emitted light is read-out photoelectrically. The stimulating radiation is applied to the sheet as a beam which is caused to scan the sheet linewise as the sheet undergoes relative movement in one direction with respect to the beam by means of galvanometric deflection which deflects the beam in one direction in a scanning step and then in the opposite direction in a retracing step to return the beam for the next scanning step.In the invention, the sheet is exposed to the beam at a significantly lower intensity level to cause the sheet to emit low level light corresponding to the image pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of a method for erasing a radiation image remaining in a stimulable phosphor sheet which has stored a radiation image and has been irradiated with stimulating rays to read the radiation image. The improvement comprises a first erasing step of irradiating the phosphor sheet with a first erasing light containing a light portion of wavelength in ultraviolet region; and a second erasing step of irradiating the phosphor sheet with a second erasing light containing no light portion of wavelength in ultraviolet region, said second erasing light and said first erasing light being employed in a ratio of amount of light in the range of 15/85 to 45/55. Devices for erasing radiation image appropriately employable in the above-mentioned method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage phosphor imaging system has at least two pairs of erase lights and an erase light failure detection circuit. When none of the erase lights are failed, the storage phosphor is erased for a predetermined time. When failure of one of the pairs of erase lights is detected, the storage phosphor is erased for an additional time. When more than one pair fails, the storage phosphor is erased for no more than the predetermined time and the additional time, then the storage phosphor is moved to the loading station, and the user is prompted that the storage phospor may not be fully erased.

Abstract: A method of erasing energy stored in a photostimulable Eu.sup.2+ doped alkaline earth halide phosphor medium, wherein in said method after imagewise exposure of said medium to penetrating radiation and read out of stored energy by photostimulation with light in the wavelength range of 430 to 550 nm, said phosphor medium is exposed in a single erasure step with light mainly within the 370 to 530 nm range containing two distinct or separate emission bands, one of which is peaking at or near 400 nm and the other at or near 500 nm.