To obtain a readout method in which a signal-to-noise ratio is high and in which various phosphors and stimulating light sources can be used by a method wherein at least one out of periods of the readout time if situated at least partly outside the period of one or a plurality of stimulating times in which a stimulable phosphor sheet is stimulated by stimulating light.
A stimulable phosphor sheet is read out according to a time decomposition system. During the readout time Ti regarding various image pixels, stimulating optical pulses are given by a scanning laser beam with reference to a pixel position during the period tis of a predetermined short time which is related to the response of the attenuation time of a phosphor. While the phosphor is being stimulated, phosphorescence fi is increased according to an image content. Fluorescence is detected by a light-guide and light-detecting system during a period tir. Only the output signal of the fluorescence detected in the period tir outside a stimulating period is retained as an effective readout value. Since stimulated light does not exist in a part of a readout period outside a predetermined stimulating period, a readout signal is not affected badly, and a high signal-to-noise ratio is obtained.
LEBLANS PAUL
WILLEMS PETER
