The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 1990
Filed:
Jun. 12, 1989
Peter F Braunlich, Pullman, WA (US);
Wolfgang Tetzlaff, Pullman, WA (US);
International Sensor Technology, Inc., Pullman, WA (US);
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for rapidly reading phosphors to determine the amount of energy stored therein. The stored energy is interpreted as a measure of the total exposure of the phosphor to ionizing radiation. The phosphor reading apparatus uses a laser to generate a laser beam. The laser beam power level is monitored by a laser power detector and controlled to maintain the power level at a desired value or values which can vary with time. A shutter or other laser beam interruption means is used to control exposure of the phosphor to the laser beam. The laser beam can be equalized using an optical equalizer so that the laser beam has an approximately uniform power density across the beam. The phosphor emits a visible or otherwise detectable emission which is measured as an indication of the radiation exposure of the phosphors. Also disclosed are preferred signal processing and control circuits including one system using a digital computer. Also disclosed are time-profiled laser power cycles for pre-anneal, read and post-anneal treatment of phosphors.