Reproduction of X-ray images with photostimulable phosphor

Abstract

A method for recording and reproducing an X-ray image comprising the steps of: (1) causing a photostimulable phosphor in a binder layer to absorb image-wise or pattern-wise modulated X-rays, (2) photostimulating said phosphor with stimulating electromagnetic radiation selected from visible light and infrared light to relase from the phosphor in accordance with the absorbed X-rays electromagnetic radiation different in wavelength characteristic from the radiation used in the photo-stimulation, and (3) detecting said light emitted by photostimulation, wherein said phosphor is an alkali earth metal(s) halogermanate or an alkali earth metal(s) halo(silicate-germanate) doped with Eu.sup.2+ and/or Ce.sup.3+ and/or thallium, and optionally co-doped with a rare earth metal ion other than Eu.sup.2+ or Ce.sup.3+ or with Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ or Li.sup.+ or a mixture of at least two of these co-dopants.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.