Abstract: In an apparatus for recording image information in an image recording medium including a photoconductor, a preliminary electric field is applied to the photoconductor before application of a recording electric field, which is applied to the photoconductor for recording the image information, and the preliminary electric field is stronger than the recording electric field. In addition, in an apparatus for reading image information carried by an electromagnetic wave by using a photoconductor, a preliminary electric field is applied to the photoconductor before application of a reading electric field, which is applied to the photoconductor for reading the image information, and the preliminary electric field is stronger than the reading electric field.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image detector including a first stripe electrode, a photoconductive layer which exhibits photoconductivity when irradiated with recording light, a rectifying layer 14 having a large number of diodes, and a second stripe electrode, which are stacked in the recited order. The elements of the first stripe electrode and the elements of the second stripe electrode are disposed so that they cross approximately perpendicularly. Voltage is applied from a power source between both elements to store uniform electric charge in a charge storage portion. Then, recording light is irradiated through the side of the first stripe electrode so that the latent image charge stored in the charge storage portion disappears according to the dose of the recording light. During reading, a predetermined voltage is applied between each of the elements of the first stripe electrode and all the elements of the second stripe electrode.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning an object, the system comprising: a drive shaft having a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis; a motor including a motor shaft having a rotational axis, the motor serving to rotate the motor shaft about the rotational axis; a flexible joint coupling the drive shaft to the motor shaft by the proximal portion of the drive shaft, the flexible joint having a range of motion which allows the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to move relative to the rotational axis of the motor shaft; and an object attached to the drive shaft which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the motor. This system may be used in a drum scanner system and may be used to read storage layer radiation screens.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a switch for switching voltage application from a power source to a detector; a voltage generator for supplying high voltage to a radiation source; and a control means for controlling a light source control means. When a control signal input to the switch is set to low voltage and an electrode of a first conductive layer and a stripe electrode are set at same potential, the control means sets control signal input to the light source control means to low voltage, making a planar light source emit preexposure light to perform empty reading, wherein preexposure light is irradiated onto a reading photoconductive layer. After irradiation of preexposure light and empty reading is stopped, radiation is irradiated onto the first conductive layer while recording voltage causing avalanche amplification is applied between the first conductive layer and the stripe electrode, thereby recording an electrostatic latent image in the detector.

Abstract: In an energetic-beam detection apparatus having a selenium detector which includes a substrate and an energetic-beam absorber being formed on the substrate and containing selenium, a temperature detecting unit detects a temperature of the selenium detector, and a temperature control unit controls the temperature of the selenium detector so that the temperature is maintained in a predetermined range when the selenium detector is in operation. Alternatively, when the temperature of the selenium detector is outside a predetermined range, an operation suppressing unit suppresses the operation of the selenium detector, or a notification unit notifies a user of the deviation of the temperature of the selenium detector from the predetermined range.

Abstract: In a process for producing an alternate striped electrode array in which transparent electrodes alternate with opaque electrodes: the opaque electrodes are formed on a transparent base; a continuous, transparent conductive film is formed on the opaque electrodes and the transparent base; a continuous, negative resist film is formed on the transparent conductive film; a resist pattern corresponding to the opaque electrodes is formed by using the opaque electrodes as a mask and applying a predetermined type of electromagnetic radiation from the back surface of the transparent base to the negative resist film; and the transparent conductive film is etched by using the resist pattern as a mask so that a portion of the transparent conductive film which remains after the etching is separated from the opaque electrodes and forms the transparent electrodes.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the x- and y-positions, as well as the depth of interaction, of an interaction between a gamma ray and a scintillation crystal. In one embodiment, a first and a second sensor array are disposed on opposite sides of a scintillation crystal which is subjected in incident gamma radiation resulting in the release of photons. The first sensor array provides a measurement of the x- and y-positions of the interaction while the second sensor array provides a measurement of the depth-of-interaction. In one embodiment, the first sensor array is a photomultiplier array and the second sensor array is an array of wavelength-shifting fibers.

Abstract: A radiation image detecting system includes a solid radiation detector formed of a first conductive layer which is transparent to recording radiations, a recording photoconductive layer which exhibits photoconductivity upon exposure to the recording radiations passing through the first conductive layer, a charge transfer layer which acts substantially as an insulator to electric charges of the same polarity as that in which the first conductive layer is charged and as a conductor to electric charges reverse to that in which the first conductive layer is charged, a read-out photoconductive layer which exhibits photoconductivity upon exposure to read-out electromagnetic waves, and a second conductive layer which is transparent to the read-out electromagnetic waves. These layers are superposed one on another in this order. A radiation absorbing member which is formed of material absorbent of the recording radiations is provided on the second conductive layer side of the solid radiation detector.

Abstract: An image detector includes a recording-side photoconductive layer, a reading-side photoconductive layer, a charge storage region, and a pair of electrode layers. One of the pair of electrode layers located near to the reading-side photoconductive layer comprises a plurality of first linear electrodes transparent to reading light, and a plurality of second linear electrodes each of which corresponds to at least one first linear electrode, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of latent-image charges when the at least one first linear electrode is scanned with the reading light. The image detector further includes means for making the strength of irradiation of each second linear electrode with the reading light smaller than the strength of irradiation of at least one first linear electrode corresponding to the second linear electrode with the reading light.

Abstract: A flat panel x-ray imager includes a gain layer (charge multiplication layer) that facilitates imaging at low x-ray exposure levels. The gain layer can be a gas chamber or a solid state material operating in an avalanche mode.

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 read-out apparatus for an image detector scans the image detector, on which image information has been recorded as an electrostatic latent image, with a reading electromagnetic wave and detects electric currents caused by the scanning to flow out of the image detector in accordance with the electrostatic latent image. The read-out apparatus comprises a surface-shaped wave source constituted of a plurality of small wave sources, which are arrayed in a surface form and each of which produces the reading electromagnetic wave, and a wave source controller for performing the scanning by driving the small wave sources one after another. The read-out apparatus reads out the electrostatic latent image without mechanical scanning being required.

Abstract: A planar electrostatic recording material records image information as an electrostatic latent image and generates electric currents in accordance with the latent image when a read-out surface of the electrostatic recording material is scanned with a reading electromagnetic wave. A flat plate-shaped substrate, which has permeability with respect to the reading electromagnetic wave, supports the electrostatic recording material from a side of the read-out surface. A flat plate-shaped base plate supports the substrate from a side opposite to a surface of the substrate, on which surface the electrostatic recording material is formed. The base plate has a rigidity higher than the rigidity of the substrate and has permeability with respect to the reading electromagnetic wave.

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: A planar image detector records image information as an electrostatic latent image and generates electric currents in accordance with the latent image when the image detector is scanned with a reading electromagnetic wave. A pre-exposure light source section irradiates an electromagnetic wave to an entire area of the image detector before the recording of the latent image. A reading exposure light source section located between the image detector and the pre-exposure light source section produces the reading electromagnetic wave and scans the image detector with the reading electromagnetic wave. Current detector detects the currents flowing out of the image detector in accordance with the latent image when the image detector is scanned with the reading electromagnetic wave. All of the elements described above are accommodated within a single same case housing.

Abstract: An electrostatic recording medium having a support body on which line-shaped electrodes are formed, and on which a blocking layer formed of a thin film is provided, and the deterioration of the blocking performance of the blocking layer is prevented. After an electrode layer, composed of a layer of film, is formed on the support body, etching is performed and stripe electrodes are formed. The member on which the line-shaped electrodes have been formed is dipped along its lengthwise direction into and pulled up and out of a vessel filled with blocking layer forming liquid to form the film of the blocking layer. In this way, a continuous blocking layer is formed so as to cover the top and side surfaces continuously of each electrode, whereby dark current flow from the stripe electrodes can be prevented with certainty.

Abstract: An image recording medium includes a support body which allows reading electromagnetic waves to pass through it, a first electrode layer which allows the reading electromagnetic waves to pass through it, a photoconductive reading layer which exhibits conductivity when irradiated with the reading electromagnetic waves, a charge storage portion for storing a latent-image polarity charge, a photoconductive recording layer for generating the latent-image polarity charge when irradiated with recording electromagnetic waves, and a second electrode layer which allows the recording electromagnetic waves to pass through it. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the support body and the photoconductive reading layer is small so that no structural destruction occurs between the support body and the photoconductive reading layer because of thermal stress generated by a temperature change in environment.

Abstract: A method of transferring a sample to and from a treating chamber kept in a vacuum atmosphere through a pressure regulatively preparatory chamber. The sample is contained in the sample transfer container, which is kept air-permeable by a dust filtering filter, in a cleaned atmosphere before the sample is transferred to the treating chamber. The sample transfer container is transferred into the preparatory chamber, and the inside of the preparatory chamber is evacuated to a vacuum atmosphere. The sample is then extracted from the sample transfer container in the vacuum atmosphere and is transferred into the treating chamber. Also disclosed is an apparatus for supporting the sample transferring method.

Abstract: An electrostatic recording member on which radiation image information is recorded as an electrostatic latent image includes the following layers superposed one on another in this order: a first conductive layer which transmits recording radiations such as X-rays, a recording photoconductive layer which exhibits conductivity upon exposure to the recording radiations passing through the first photoconductive layer, a charge transport layer which substantially acts as an insulator to a charge in the same polarity as a charge placed on the first conductive layer and substantially acts as a conductive body to a charge in the polarity reverse to a charge placed on the first conductive layer, a read-out photoconductive layer which exhibits conductivity upon exposure to a read-out electromagnetic wave, and a second conductive layer which transmits the read-out electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining imaging quality in a computed radiography (CR) system includes providing a substrate having fluorescent test pattern disposed thereon. The substrate is disposed in place of the standard storage-phosphor screen and scanned as if reading out a storage screen. The detected signals form a read-out image which is then compared against the test pattern to judge image quality.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning an object, the system comprising: a drive shaft having a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis; a motor including a motor shaft having a rotational axis, the motor serving to rotate the motor shaft about the rotational axis; a flexible joint coupling the drive shaft to the motor shaft by the proximal portion of the drive shaft, the flexible joint having a range of motion which allows the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft to move relative to the rotational axis of the motor shaft; and an object attached to the drive shaft which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the motor. This system may be used in a drum scanner system and may be used to read storage layer radiation screens.

Abstract: Filmless photon imaging sensor plates and apparatus which are particularly effective in medical radiology and industrial applications including, but not limited to high resolution mammography. In combination, the sensor plates and apparatus provide rapid production of high resolution images which exhibit higher sensitivity and wider dynamic range than contemporary X-ray systems. Novel sensor plate structures provide images having attributes of increased sensitivity; dual plate design providing increased pixel read-out speed and differential dual energy image production; and electrically isolated segments by which a plurality of pixels are read concurrently to reduce overall image processing time. Generally, the plates employ a homogeneous photoconductive material such as amorphous selenium and are read by exposing each pixel sized area to a small diameter scanning light beam. Using light beam scanning, resulting plate design promises low cost manufacture of both sensor plates and associated apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording X-ray images having a panel-like X-ray recording device removably enclosed within a cassette housing. The X-ray recording device includes a first electrode transparent to X-ray radiation, a first photoconductive layer sensitive to X-ray radiation disposed beneath the first electrode, a second photoconductive layer sensitive to visible light disposed beneath the first photoconductive layer, and a second electrode transparent to visible light disposed beneath the second photoconductive layer. The cassette includes a first wall transparent to X-ray radiation facing the first electrode, a second wall transparent to visible light disposed parallel and opposite the first wall and facing the second electrode, and suitable connectors for providing an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes. Preferably, the X-ray recording device further includes isolating layers disposed between the electrodes and their respective photoconductive layers.

Abstract: An image capture panel particularly useful in radiographic application is disclosed, in which the active image capture area of individual sensors having top and bottom charge collecting microplates arrayed in rows and columns is extended by providing an additional charge capture conductive strip over sensor areas which are not normally covered by a charge collecting microplate. The strip may be made integral with the top microplate or may be separate and electrically connected thereto at a single point.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus comprising a material having photoconductivity, an energy bandgap, and trap levels. The material is typified by a thin film of polycrystalline diamond. The material is illuminated with first light having photon energies smaller than the energy bandgap of the material. Then, the material is illuminated with second light having photon energies greater than the energy bandgap of the material to thereby induce a photocurrent. The amount of the first light can be known by measuring the induced photocurrent.

Abstract: Megavoltage imaging method and apparatus are provided to monitor a target volume of a patient in real time. Structure and steps are provided for generating an image on a detector (having a layer of photoreceptor material deposited on a layer of a high density substrate) by passing a photon beam first through the target volume of the patient and subsequently through the detector. The layer of the high density substrate is on the side of incidence of the photon beam for intensifying photon quanta and filter-scattered radiation from the patient induced by the photon beam. Thus, the photons impinging on the high density substrate are converted to electrons, and the images generated by the electrons subsequently traversing the photoreceptor material to cause the target volume of the patient to be monitored in real time.

Abstract: A detector plate for use in a radiation imaging system includes a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, a photoconductive layer and a second conductive layer, arranged as a stack in that order. The first conductive layer and the dielectric layer are substantially transparent to radiation energy so as to allow the energy to pass therethrough to be received by the photoconductive layer. The first conductive layer has a periphery defined by a first edge and the dielectric layer has a periphery defined by a second edge, wherein the first edge is offset inward of the second edge defining a margin between the first and second edges. In use, this margin helps inhibit electrical arcing from the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer when a high voltage is applied between these two layers.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus comprising a material having photoconductivity, an energy bandgap, and trap levels. The material is typified by a thin film of polycrystalline diamond. The material is illuminated with a first electromagnetic emission, (which may include visible light, ultraviolet light, gamma rays, or x-rays) having photon energies smaller than the energy bandgap of the material. Then, the material is illuminated with a second electromagnetic emission having photon energies greater than the energy bandgap of the material to thereby induce a photocurrent. The amount of the first emission can be known by measuring the induced photocurrent.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning a photoconductive radiation detector achieve charge redistribution within a photoconductive layer without the need for charge removal or charge injection techniques. A first conditioning voltage is applied across the detector to establish a first electric field. The first electric field is reversed relative to fields applied to the detector during image exposure and image read-out operations. While the first conditioning voltage is maintained, the photoconductive layer is exposed for a period of time to first conditioning radiation having one or more wavelengths selected to penetrate at least a portion of the photoconductive layer. A second conditioning voltage, less than the first conditioning voltage, then can be optionally applied across the detector to establish a forward bias electric field. While the second conditioning voltage is maintained, the photoconductive layer is exposed for a period of time to second, broad spectrum conditioning radiation.

Abstract: An imaging system employs a photoconductive material capable of bearing a latent photostatic image, a plurality of elongated parallel electrodes adjacent the photoconductive material, selective scanning of the individual electrodes to produce charge carriers within the photoconductive material, and time-ordered detection of the current created by the charge carriers in the plurality of elongated parallel electrodes. Dynamic rearrangement of the detection pattern for individual electrodes allows for detection from effective electrodes wider than the individual electrodes. Appropriate addressing of the effective electrodes during the scan produces a pixellated representation of the latent image having selectable resolution and reduction of edge-effect artifacts of known systems.

Abstract: A radiographic image reader acquires electronic signals corresponding to a latent image of an object produced by radiation exposure of a photoreceptive medium within a cassette. The radiographic image reader comprises a light-tight enclosure with at least one access port for inserting and removing the cassette. A scanner subsystem is mounted within the light-tight enclosure for scanning the photoreceptive medium within the cassette to initiate the acquisition of the electronic signals representative of the latent image. A cassette registration and interface subsystem within the light-tight enclosure comprises an electronic interface structure for electronically connecting the photoreceptive medium within the cassette to an electronic component external of the cassette to obtain the electronic signals corresponding to the latent image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray image capturing element comprising a panel having a layered structure, including a conductive layer comprising a plurality of discrete microplates having dimensions coextensive with an image pixel and a plurality of access electrodes and electronic components built on the panel, which allow access to the microplates for capturing and reading out a latent radiographic image captured in the panel in the form of stored electrical charges.

Abstract: A layered imaging stack for minimizing interference fringes in an imaging device. A polymer layer has one flat surface and a second opposed surface that has a surface roughness, R.sub.A, within the range of 0.5 .mu.m to 2.5 .mu.m. An adhesive layer provided on the roughened surface of the polymer layer has an index of refraction, n.sub.2, which differs from the refractive index, n.sub.1, of the polymer layer by at least 0.02. The multiplicative product of R.sub.A in .mu.m and the absolute value of n.sub.2 -n.sub.1, .DELTA.n, is within the range of from about 0.01 to 0.05.

Abstract: A selenium alloy electrophotographic imaging member having an optically transparent NESA coated substrate. An x-ray image is formed from the side of the photoreceptor opposite the transparent substrate and then is scanned from the back side through the transparent substrate with a fine beam of light, the position of which is precisely monitored. The ensuing discharge from the light beam is detected by a non-contacting x-ray transparent electrode located on the outer side of the photoreceptor, away from the substrate, which reads the discharge signal through capacitive coupling, pixel by pixel, according to the position of the light beam, to form a high resolution raster pattern digital readout of the image.

Abstract: There is disclosed a class of fluoroalkoxyphenylsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocycles which are useful as herbicides, plant fungicides, and plant growth regulators. Internodal elongation of plants is inhibited by treatment with compounds of this invention.