A New Type of Thorn Image Storage Panel.

Paper presented at a Conference on “New Trends in Radiography” organized by the Science Committee of the Royal Photographic Society, 8-9 December 1970 in London.

Abstract

Some years ago a radiation sensitive electroluminescent panel was developed and became known as the Thorn Image Retaining Panel or I.R.P. These were sensitive to a wide range of radiations but it was their response to X-rays which aroused most interest because such a device gave an X-ray picture, without any processing, immediately after irradiation. The image was controlled by the voltage applied to the panel, and was erased merely by switching off the applied voltage: the panels were re-usable almost indefinitely.

However, for X-ray purposes the I.R.P. has certain major disadvantages, thus compared with film it’s sensitivity is low, and the picture quality is poor. Consequently, attention was turned to other systems where electroluminescence could be used to provide the means of viewing an X-ray image and a new device which has an X-ray sensitivity approaching that of film, has been developed. This new image storage panel (or I.S.P.) while retaining certain of the advantages of the original device, gives a much better picture quality and is available in a flexible plastic construction which operates from A.C. mains supplies. The properties of these new Image Storage Panels are described.

Notes

Paper presented at a Conference on “New Trends in Radiography” organized by the Science Committee of the Royal Photographic Society, 8-9 December 1970 in London.