Apparatuses and methods for laser reading of phosphors

A method for rapidly reading a phosphor to determine the amount of ionizing radiation to which the phosphor has been exposed, comprising:

• emitting a laser beam from a laser beam source means which is capable of modulation to control a power level of the emitted laser beam;
• measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the phosphor is exposed to the laser beam for heating;
• controlling the laser beam source means to obtain desired laser beam power variable as a function of time;
• controlling exposure of the phosphor to the laser beam so that the phosphor is exposed to the laser for desired amounts of time;
• and
• measuring emission occurring as a result of exposure of the phosphor to the laser beam.

A phosphor reading apparatus for reading the level of ionization existing in a phosphor as a result of exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation, comprising:

• laser beam source means for generating and emitting a laser beam;
• said laser beam source means being capable of modulation control power of the laser beam;
• laser beam power detection means for measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the laser beam is directed upon the phosphor;
• laser power control means for rapidly and adjustably modulating power output of the laser beam source means to achieve desired laser beam power;
• and
• emission measuring means for measuring emission occurring from the phosphor as a result of directing the laser beam upon the phosphor.

A method for rapidly reading a phosphor to determine the amount of ionizing radiation to which the phosphor has been exposed, comprising:

• emitting a laser beam from a laser beam source means;
• measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the phosphor is exposed to the laser beam;
• controlling the laser beam source means to achieve desired laser beam power;
• controlling exposure of the phosphor to the laser beam so that the phosphor is exposed for a desired amount of time;
• and
• measuring any emission occurring as a result of exposure of the phosphor to the laser beam.

A phosphor reading apparatus for reading the level of ionization existing in a phosphor as a result of exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation, comprising:

• laser beam source means for generating and emitting a radio frequency laser beam, said laser beam source means being capable of modulation to control power of an emitted laser beam;
• means for dividing said laser beam to produce a detector laser beam therefrom;
• laser beam power detection means for measuring the power of the detector laser beam repeatedly during an exposure period during which the laser beam is directed upon the phosphor;
• phosphor positioning means for holding the phosphor in position to be exposed to the laser beam;
• laser power control means for rapidly and adjustably modulating the power of the emitted laser beam to a desired level which varies over time during the exposure period;
• shutter means positioned to control exposure of the phosphor held by the phosphor positioning means without preventing receipt of the detector laser beam by the laser power detection means;
• laser beam optical equalizing means for equalizing the cross-sectional power density of the laser beam prior to impingement of the laser beam upon the phosphor;
• and
• emission measuring means for measuring emission occurring as a result of exposure of the phosphor to the laser beam.

A phosphor reading apparatus for reading the level of ionization existing in a phosphor as a result of exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation, comprising:

• laser beam source means for generating and emitting a laser beam;
• said laser beam source means being capable of modulation to control power of an emitted laser beam;
• laser beam power detection means for measuring the power of the laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the laser beam is directed upon the phosphor;
• laser power control means for rapidly and adjustably modulating the power of the emitted laser beam as desired over time;
• and
• emission measuring means for measuring emission occurring as a result of exposure of the phosphor to the laser beam.

A phosphor reading apparatus for reading the level of ionization existing in a phosphor as a result of exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation, comprising:

• at least one laser beam source for generating and emitting a laser beam;
• at least one laser beam power detector for measuring the power of the laser beam to provide an indication of the power of the laser beam during an exposure period during which the laser beam is directed upon the phosphor;
• at least one laser power control means for controlling power output of the at least one laser beam source to achieve desired laser beam power;
• and
• emission measuring means for measuring emission occurring from the phosphor as a result of directing the laser beam upon the phosphor.

A method for stimulating a phosphor to cause emission from the phosphor to release stored energy caused by ionizing radiation to which the phosphor has been exposed, comprising:

• emitting at least one laser beam from at least one laser beam source;
• measuring the power of at least one laser beam at least once during an exposure period during which the phosphor is exposed to the at least one laser beam;
• controlling the at least one laser beam source to achieve desired laser beam power;
• controlling exposure of the phosphor to the at least one laser beam so that the phosphor is exposed in a desired manner.