X-ray image intensifier and method of manufacturing the same

An X-ray image intensifier provided with an output screen which comprises:

• (a) a face plate which is transparent to specific light;
• (b) an output phosphor film formed on the face plate and comprising densely packed columnar crystals of a phosphor including at least one host material selected from the group consisting of ZnS and (Zn, Cd)S, and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, and Cl, the columnar crystals being at least one of hexagonal (wurtzite-type) crystal and cubic (sphalerite-type) crystal structures, and (002) planes of the hexagonal crystals and (111) planes of cubic crystals are substantially parallel to the face plate, respectively;
• and
• (c) a metal back layer formed on the output phosphor film.