Residual image erasing apparatus for stimulable phosphor sheet

An apparatus for erasing a residual image on a stimulable phosphor sheet in which a stimulable phosphor sheet capable of being repatedly used for radiation image recording and read-out is exposed to erasing light after radiation image read-out, and the residual image caused by residual radiation energy on the stimulable phosphor sheet is erased, the apparatus comprising:

• (i) an energy distribution detecting means for detecting the distribution of residual radiation energy, which is distributed in a predetermined direction, in said predetermined direction,
• (ii) a linear light source extending in a sheet width direction normal to said predetermined direction for emitting residual image erasing light over the entire width of said stimulable phosphor sheet,
• (iii) a movement means for moving said stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to said linear light source in said predetermined direction so that said stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to the residual image erasing light over the entire length of said stimulable phosphor sheet, and
• (iv) a control mans for receiving an output of said energy distribution detecting means and controlling said linear light source and/or said movement means to adjust the light exposure amount at each portion of said stimulable phosphor sheet in accordance with the level of the distribution of residual radiation energy at each portion of said stimulable phosphor sheet in said predetermined direction.