Storage phosphor erase

Abstract

A storage phosphor erase apparatus for selectively erasing storage phosphors having different lateral dimensions transported along a first direction. The apparatus includes an array of point sources of erasing radiation spanning at least the greatest lateral dimension of a storage phosphor to be erased; and a control for actuating all of the array of point sources when a storage phosphor of the greatest lateral dimension is to be erased, and for actuating less than all of the array of point sources when a storage phosphor of a lateral dimension less than the greatest lateral dimension is to be erased.

1 . A storage phosphor erase apparatus for selectively erasing storage phosphors having different lateral dimensions transported along a first direction, comprising: 
 an array of point sources of erasing radiation spanning at least the greatest lateral dimension of a storage phosphor to be erased; and    a control for actuating all of the array of point sources when a storage phosphor of the greatest lateral dimension is to be erased, and for actuating less than all of the array of point sources when a storage phosphor of a lateral dimension less than the greatest lateral dimension is to be erased.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the point sources of erasing radiation are Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein all of the array of point sources of erasing radiation emit radiation of the same wavelength.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the array of point sources of erasing radiation include first and second subsets of point sources that emit radiation of different wavelengths.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the array of point sources of erasing radiation include clusters of three point sources that emit radiation at multiple different wavelengths.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the clusters of three point sources respectively emit red, blue, and green radiation.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the control actuates the array of point sources during the period when a scanning beam of stimulating radiation is off during retrace or between scan lines.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the control pulses to deliver from 0 to 300% of allowable electrical energy to the point sources.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the control actuates the point sources of light after image acquisition is ended if a latent image still exists in a storage phosphor.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a sensor for determining the lateral dimension of a storage phosphor to be erased; and wherein the control actuates the point sources of erase radiation in response to the sensor determination.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a high reflectance reflector associated with the array of point sources of erasing radiation.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the reflector includes baffles to concentrate the erase radiation on a storage phosphor.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the array of point sources are arranged in columns across the lateral dimension of the storage phosphor and wherein the control actuates the columns of point sources as a function of the lateral dimension of a storage phosphor to be erased.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a source of power for the array of point sources and wherein the power delivered to the point sources from the power source varies from the rated power of the power source.