Photostimulable phosphor and radiation image recording and reproducing method

A radiation image recording and reproducing method comprising the steps of:

• (i) causing a visible radiation stimulable phosphor to absorb penetrating radiation having passed through an object or emitted by an object and to store energy of said penetrating radiation in said phosphor, which is within the scope of the following empirical formula (A):
• Ba.sub.1-x-y-p-z Sr.sub.x M.sub.y.sup.II Cs.sub.2p F.sub.2-a-b Br.sub.a X.sub.b :zEu
• wherein:
• X is at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl and I,
• M.sup.II is at least one alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of Ca and Mg;
• x is in the range 0.10.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.55;
• a is in the range 0.70.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.96;
• y is in the range 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.10;
• b is in the range 0.ltoreq.b<0.15;
• p is in the range 10.sup.-4 .ltoreq.p.ltoreq.10.sup.-1 ;
• and
• z is in the range 10.sup.-6 .ltoreq.z.ltoreq.10.sup.-2,
• (ii) stimulating said phosphor with visible radiation in the wavelength range from 480 nm to 550 nm to release energy stored in said phosphor as fluorescent light differing in wavelength range from the stimulating light, and
• (iii) detecting said fluorescent light.