Inventors:
Michael D. Neary - Phoenixville PA
Peter K. Soltani - West Chester PA
Nicholas C. Ipri - Marietta GA
Mark F. McAnally - Philadelphia PA
Assignee:
Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. - Mortsel
International Classification:
G03B 4202
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. The second source of electromagnetic radiation erases the phosphor screen from the homogenized quasi-erased state to a fully or nearly fully erased state.