Agfa Gevaert Nv

Mark F McAnally

Peter K Soltani

Michael D Neary

Nicholas C Ipri

Methods and apparatus for rapidly removing stored energy from (i.e., erasing) a reusable photostimulable storage phosphor screen use a first source of electromagnetic radiation which primarily outputs a wavelength or wavelengths of about 577 nanometers to about 597 nanometers, and a second source of electromagnetic radiation which primarily outputs a wavelength or wavelengths in the infrared region. Exposure to the second source of radiation may occur either after, or simultaneously with, exposure to the first source of radiation. During exposure to the first source of electromagnetic energy, ultraviolet radiation is filtered out so that none reaches the phosphor screen, or a first source is selected which does not output substantially any ultraviolet radiation. The first source of electromagnetic radiation erases the phosphor screen to a homogenized quasi-erased state. The second source of electromagnetic radiation erases the phosphor screen from the homogenized quasi-erased state to a fully or nearly fully erased state. The first source of electromagnetic radiation may be a sodium vapor lamp which also functions to remove residual images. Residual images may also be removed by exposing the phosphor screen to a source of electromagnetic radiation which outputs a wavelength or wavelengths including at least one of infrared and near-infrared, and a reduced amount of charging wavelengths. The process may include filtering any visible light having a wavelength below red light emitted from the second source of radiation.

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Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Mark F McAnally