EP0092241B1

EP0092241B1 - Radiation image conversion panel

Info

Publication number: EP0092241B1
Application number: EP19830103791
Authority: EP
Inventors: Akira Kitada; Terumi Matsuda; Satoshi Arakawa
Original assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1982-04-20
Filing date: 1983-04-19
Publication date: 1989-08-02
Also published as: DE3380318D1; EP0092241A1

Description

The invention relates to a radiographic intensifying screen comprising a support and at least one phosphor layer comprising a binder and a phosphor dispersed therein, in which the support is provided on the surface facing the phosphor layer with a great number of pits, and also to a radiation image storage panel comprising a support and at least one phosphor layer comprising a binder and a stimulable phosphor dispersed therein, in which the support is provided on the surface facing the phosphor layer with a geat number of pits.
The radiographic intensifying screen is generally employed in close contact with one or both surfaces of an X-ray film for enhancing the photographic sensitivity of the film in a variety of radiographic applications such as medical radiography and industrial radiography. The radiographic intensifying screen consists essentially of a support and a phosphor layer provided thereonto. Further, a transparent film is generally provided onto the free surface of the phosphor layer to protect the phosphor layer from chemical and physical deterioration.
The phosphor layer comprises a binder and a phosphor dispersed therein. The phosphor is in the form of small particles and emits light of high luminance when excited by radiation such as X-rays. The light of high luminance emitted by the phosphor is in proportion to the dose of radiation energy transmitted through an object. The X-ray film positioned in close contact with the intensifying screen is exposed to the light emitted by the phosphor layer, as well as being exposed directly to the radiation energy transmitted through the object. Accordingly, the X-ray film receives radiation energy enough for formation of the radiation image of the object, even if the radiation is applied to the object at a relatively small dose.
In view of the above-described characteristics of the radiographic intensifying screen, it is desired that the screen shows a high radiographic speed, as well as provides excellent image characteristics such as sharpness and graininess. For this reason, various proposals have been previously given for the improvement of radiographic speed and image characteristics of the radiographic intensifying screen.
For instance, US-A-4,204,125 describes an X-ray intensifying screen including an anti-reflecting surface at the back side of the luminous layer in which a plurality of randomly positioned leaflets extend from the surface, in which the layer is typically formed of a microstructured layer of boehmite, a hydrated aluminum oxide.
US-A-4,263,061 describes an image intensifying screen comprising an antireflecting surface formed by subjecting a substantially planar aluminum surface on a support layer to a steam treatment to convert the aluminum surface to a microstructured surface of boehmite, a hydrated aluminum oxide, having a plurality of randomly positioned leaflets extending from the surface.
The radiographic intensifying screen should also be mechanically strong enough to prevent separation between the support and the phosphor layer when it is bent in the course of radiographic procedures. The intensifying screen should be chemically and physically resistant to radiographic rays, even if it is used repeatedly for a long period. For this reason, the screen ought to be resistant to mechanical shocks given in the procedure for changing an X-ray film or other procedures so that the phosphor layer does not separate from the support.
The document FR-A-735 923 discloses that the adherence between a phosphor layer and its support may be increased by roughening the surface of the support. This roughening may be established by, for example, sandblasting whereby pits are produced. This document does not contain any reference with respect to the dimensions of these pits and also does not refer to the problems with the sharpness of an image produced by using an intensifying screen having specific surface conditions.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve a radiographic intensifying screen and a radiation image storage panel according to the preambles of claims 1 and 7, respectively in such a way that a good resolution and an enhanced adhesion to the support is obtained.
The solution to this problem with respect to a radiographic intensifying screen is characterized in that said pits have a mean depth of 1-10 pm, a maximum depth of 1-50 pm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 10-50 pm.
The solution to this problem with respect to a radiation image storage panel is characterized in that said pits have a mean depth of 1-10 pm, a maximum depth of 1-50 pm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 10-50 um.
These pits may be produced by applying hard solid particles at high speed onto this surface of the support.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed by the sub-claims.
When radiation such as X-rays having passed through an object impinges upon the phosphor layer of a radiographic intensifying screen, the phosphor particles contained in the phosphor layer are excited upon absorbing the radiation energy and immediately emit light of a wavelength in the visible or near ultra-violet region which is different from the wavelength of the exciting radiation. The so emitted light advances in all directions, and a part of the light enters directly into a photosensitive layer of the film placed in contact with the screen so as to contribute to the formation of a photographic image on the film. Another part of the light advances in the direction towards the interface between the phosphor layer and the support, and is reflected by the support surface to enter into the photosensitive layer through the phosphor layer, also contributing to the formation of the photographic image. In the case of using a radiographic intensifying screen comprising a simply plane interface having no protrusions and depressions between the phosphor layer and the support, the reflection of light is done as the mirror plane reflection, whereby the reflected light enters into the film at an angle different from the angle of the light directly entering into the film. Accordingly, the reflected light causes formation of a ghost image on the film, resulting in marked deterioration of the sharpness of the image.
According to a study of the present inventors, the deterioration of image formed on the radiographic film can be effectively prevented by providing a great number of pits having the above-mentioned specifically determined dimensions.
The pits provided onto the surface of the support, as described above, further serve for enhancing the adhesion between the support and the phosphor layer, so that substantially no separation takes plate in a normal procedure for handling the intensifying screen.
The radiographic intensifying screen of the present invention can be prepared in the manner as described below.
The support for constituting the intensifying screen of the invention can be prepared by the use of material selected from those known or employed in the preparation of various radiographic intensifying screens. Examples of the support material include plastic films such as films of cellulose acetate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyimide, triacetate, and polycarbonate; metal sheets such as aluminum foil and aluminum alloy foil; ordinary papers; baryta paper; resin-coated papers; pigment papers containing titanium dioxide or the like; and papers sized with polyvinyl alcohol or the like. In other words, there is no specific limitation on the material of the support, as far as the material can accept on the surface the formation of pits specified in the description given hereinbefore. In view of easiness in formation of these pits on the surface, as well as characteristics of a radiographic intensifying screen prepared therefrom, a plastic film is preferably employed as the support material. The plastic film may contain a light-absorbing material such as carbon black, or may contain a light-reflecting material such as titanium dioxide. The former is appropriate for preparing a radiographic intensifying screen belonging to the acutance (high sharpness) type, while the latter is appropriate for preparing a radiographic intensifying screen belonging to the high speed type.
In the preparation of a conventional radiographic intensifying screen, one or more of additional layers are optionally provided between the support and the phosphor layer. For instance, a subbing layer or an adhesive layer may be provided by coating a polymer material such as gelatin over the surface of the support on the side to receive the phosphor layer. Otherwise, a light-reflecting layer or a light-absorbing layer may be provided by introducing a polymer material layer containing a light-reflecting material such as titanium dioxide or a light-absorbing material such as carbon black, respectively. Otherwise, a metal foil may be provided onto the surface of the support to receive the phosphor layer so as to remove scattered radiation in the radiographic intensifying screen to be employed in the industrial radiography. Such a metal foil can be chosen from lead foil, lead alloy foil, tin foil, and the like. Any one or more of these additional layers may be provided to the radiographic intensifying screen of the invention.
A great number of the pits specified herein can be provided onto the surface of support in an optionally chosen manner. Preferably, these pits are provided by a process comprising applying hard solid particles such as grits and sands onto the surface of support at high speed. The above-mentioned process is called "grit blasting" or "sand blasting". The hard solid particles can be applied onto the surface of support as such. Otherwise, a surface of an additional layer such as a subbing layer, light-reflecting layer, light-absorbing layer, or metal layer, can be subjected to the high speed blasting of hard solid particles. The materials of the hard solid particles employable for the sand blasting or grit blasting are known in the art. For instance, metal particles, metal oxide particles, or other inorganic material particles can be employed. The size of the hard solid particles and the conditions for carrying out the above-mentioned process for the provision of the pits can be determined according to those known in the art.
In the case using the radiographic intensifying screen of the invention in contact with a radiographic film, a part of the light that is emitted by the phosphor upon receiving radiation having passed through an object and then advances toward the surface of the support layer (the interface between the phosphor layer and the support) is reflected diffusely by the surface provided with a great number of the pits having the specific dimension, whereby most of the reflected light is absorbed by the phosphor layer and does not reach the photosensitive layer of the radiographic film placed in contact therewith. Accordingly, the sharpness of the image produced on the radiographic film is prominently enhanced.
Moreover, as described hereinbefore, the provision of a great number of pits having dimensions in the ranges defined herein onto the surface of the support improves the adhesion between the phosphor layer and the support of the radiographic intensifying screen.
In contrast, if pits provided onto the support surface have dimensions substantially deviating from the ranges defined as hereinbefore for the present invention, the prominent improvement both in the sharpness of a formed image and adhesion between the phosphor layer and the support are hardly attained.
If the pits are smaller than those defined hereinbefore, most of the light reflected by the support surface probably is not diffused and rather straightly advances toward the radiographic film, whereby no substantial improvement in the sharpness of image can be attained. Also unattainable is substantial enhancement of the adhesion between the phosphor layer and the support.
If the pits are larger than those defined hereinbefore, the phosphor layer with plane surface and even phase conditions are hardly prepared on the support, giving unfavorable factors to the intensifying screen.
The pits provided onto the surface of the support of the radiographic intensifying screen according to the present invention have a mean depth of 1-10 pm, inclusive, a maximum depth of 1 um to 50 µm inclusive, and a mean diameter at the opening of 10-50 µm, inclusive. The radiographic intensifying screen provided onto the support surface with a great number of pits as specified above is particularly improved in the sharpness and the adhesion between the phosphor layer and the support.
The surface of the support provided with a great number of the pits is coated with a phosphor layer.
The phosphor layer comprises a binder and a phosphor in the form of particles dispersed therein. There are known a variety of phosphors suitable for a radiographic intensifying screen. Examples of the phosphors preferably suitable in the present invention include:

tungstate type phosphors such as CaW0₄, MgW0₄, and CaWO₄:Pb;
terbium activated rare earth metal oxysulfide type phosphors such as Y₂0₂S:Tb, Gd₂0₂S:Tb, La₂0₂S:Tb, (Y,Gd)₂0₂S:Tb, and (Y,Gd)₂0₂S:Tb,Tm;
terbium activated rare earth phosphate type phosphors such as YPO₄:Tb, GdP0₄:Tb, and LaP0₄:Tb;
terbium activated rare earth oxyhalide type phosphors such as LaOBr:Tb, LaOBr:Tb,Tm, LaOCI:Tb, LaOCI:Tb,Tm, GdOBr:Tb, and GdOCI:Tb;
thulium activated rare earth oxyhalide type phosphors such as LaOBr:Tm and LaOCI:Tm;
barium sulfate type phosphors such as BaS0₄:Pb, BaS0₄:Eu²⁺, and (Ba,Sr)S0₄:Eu²⁺;
divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal phosphate type phosphors such as Ba₂(PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺, and (Ba,Sr)₂(PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺;
divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide type phosphors such as BaFCI:Eu²⁺, BaFBr:Eu²⁺, BaFCI:Eu^l+,Tb, BaFBr:Eu²⁺,Tb, BaF₂·BaCl₂·KCl:Eu²⁺, BaF₂·BaCl₂·xBaSO₄·KCl:Eu²⁺, and (Ba,Mg)F₂·BaCl₂·KCl:Eu²⁺;
iodide type phosphors such as Csl:Na, Csl:Tl, Nal:Tl, and KI:TI;
sulfide type phosphors such as ZnS:Ag, (Zn,Cd)S:Ag, (Zn,Cd)S:Cu, and (Zn,Cd)S:Cu,AI; and
hafnium phosphate type phosphors such as HfP₂0₇:CU.

The above-described phosphors are given by no means to restrict the phosphor suitable in the present invention. Any other phosphor can be used, provided that the phosphor emits light in the visible or near ultra-violet region upon exposure to radiation.
Examples of the binder contained in the phosphor layer include: natural polymers such as proteins (e.g. gelatin), polysaccharides (e.g. dextran) and gum arabic; and synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetate, nitrocellulose, ethylcellulose, vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyurethane, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinyl alcohol, and linear polyester. Particularly preferred binders are nitrocellulose, linear polyester, and a mixture of nitrocellulose and linear polyester.
The phosphor layer can be formed on the support by the following procedure.
The phosphor particles and binder are mixed in the presence of a sufficient amount of a solvent to prepare a coating dispersion containing the phosphor particles dispersed homogeneously in the binder solution. Examples of the solvent employable in the preparation of the coating dispersion include lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and ethylene chloride; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone; esters of lower alcohols with lower aliphatic acids such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate; ethers such as dioxane, ethylene glycol monoethylether, and ethylene glycol monomethylether; and mixtures of the above-mentioned compounds.
The ratio between the binder and the phosphor in the coating dispersion may be determined according to the aimed characteristics of the radiographic intensifying screen and nature of the phosphor empoloyed. Generally, this ratio is in the range of from 1:1 to 1:100 (binder:phosphor, by weight), preferably 1:8 to 1:40.
The coating dispersion may contain a dispersing agent for assisting dispersion of the phosphor particles in the solution, a plasticizer for increasing the adhesion between the binder and the phosphor particles in the phosphor layer, and/or other additives. Examples of the dispersing agent include phthalic acid, stearic acid, decanoic acid, and hydrophobic surface active agents. Examples of the plasticizer include phosphates such as triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, and diphenyl phosphate; phthalates such as diethyl phthalate and dimethoxyethyl phthalate; glycolates such as ethylphthalyl ethyl glycolate and butylphthalyl butyl glycolate; and polyesters of polyethylene glycols with alipatic dicarboxylic acids such as polyester of triethylene glycol with adipic acid and polyester of diethylene glycol with succinic acid.
The coating dispersion containing the phosphor particles and binder prepared as above is coated evenly over the surface of the support provided with a great number of the pits having the specific dimension. The coating procedure can be carried out by a conventional method such as a method using a doctor blade, roll coater, or knife coater.
The so coated layer is then heated slowly to dryness, so as to complete the formation of the phosphor layer on the support. The thickness of the phosphor layer varies depending upon the aimed characteristics of the intensifying screen, nature of the phosphor particles, the ratio between the binder and the phosphor particles, etc. Generally, the thickness of the phosphor layer is in the range of from 20 µm to 1 mm. A thickness in the range of 50-500 µm is preferred.
The phosphor layer can be provided onto the support in a different manner. For instance, the phosphor layer is independently prepared on a sheet such as a glass plate, metal plate, or plastic sheet, by the use of the aforementioned coating dispersion. The so prepared phosphor layer is then transferred onto the support by pressing the phosphor layer thereonto or laminating the phosphor layer on the support by the use of an adhesive agent.
As mentioned hereinbefore, the conventional radiographic intensifying screen generally has a transparent film on the surface of the phosphor layer to protect the phosphor layer from physical and chemical deterioration. Accordingly, the radiographic intensifying screen of the present invention likewise has such a transparent film for the same purpose.
The transparent film can be provided onto the phosphor layer by coating the surface of the phosphor layer with a polymer solution containing a transparent polymer such as a cellulose derivative (e.g. cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose), or a synthetic polymer (e.g. polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetate, or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer). Otherwise, a transparent film prepared independently from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyamide or the like can be placed and fixed on the support by the use of an appropriate adhesive agent to provide the protective film. The transparent protective film preferably has a thickness in the range of approximately 2-20 pm.
The present invention is further described by the following examples.

Example 1

A surface of a polyethylene terephthalate film containing titanium dioxide (support, thickness 250 um) was subjected to sand blasting employing silica sand in which more than approximately 50% by weight of the silica particles had a diameter of 105-150 um (100-150 mesh size). The sand blasting was carried out under centrifugal force by applying to the support surface the silica particles supplied from a drum rotating at a speed of 1900 rpm. Thus, a rough surface was provided onto the support. The so prepared surface of the support was provided with a great number of pits having a mean depth of 2 pm, a maximum depth of 7 µm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 20 pm.
Independently, to a mixture of a particulated terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor (Gd₂0₂S:Tb) and a linear polyester resin were successively added methyl ethyl ketone and nitrocellulose (nitrofication degree 11.5%) to prepare a phosphor dispersion. To the phosphor dispersion were further added tricresyl phosphate, n-butanol and methyl ethyl ketone. The mixture was sufficiently stirred by means of a propeller agitater to obtain a homogeneous coating dispersion having a viscosity of 25-35 PS (at 25°C).
The coating dispersion was applied to the sand-blasted surface of the support placed horizontally on a glass plate. The coating procedure was carried out using a doctor blade. The support coated with the dispersion thereon was then placed in an oven and heated therein at a temperature slowly varying from 25 to 100°C. Thus, a phosphor layer having a thickness of approximately 180 pm was formed on the support.
On the phosphor layer of the support was laminated a transparent polyethylene terephthalate film (thickness: 12 µm; having a polyester adhesive layer).
Thus, a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film was prepared.

Comparative Example 1

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that no sand blasting was applied to the polyethylene terephthalate film containing titanium dioxide, to prepare a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.

Comparative Example 2

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that the sand blasting to the surface of the support was carried out using silica sand in which more than approximately 50% by weight of the silica particles had approximately (300 mesh size) a diameter of 48 µm. The so processed surface of the support was provided with a great number of pits having a mean diameter of 0.2 pm, a maximum depth of 0.8 pm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 0.5 pm.
A radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film was then prepared in the same manner as described in Example 1.
The radiographic intensifying screens prepared in the above-described examples were evaluated on the sharpness of image and the adhesion strength of the phosphor layer to the support. The evaluation methods are given below:

(1) Sharpness of image

The radiographic intensifying screen was combined with an X-ray film in a cassette, and exposed to X-rays of 80 KVp through an MTF chart. The film was then developed to obtain a visible image, and the MTF value was determined. In Table 1, the MTF value is set forth as value (%) at the spacial frequency of 2 cycle/ mm. The relative radiographic speed is also set forth in Table 1.

(2) Adhesion strength of phosphor layer to support

The radiographic intensifying screen was cut to give a test strip (1 cm x 6 cm), and an adhesive polyester tape was stuck on the protective film of the support. The so prepared test strip was then given on the adhesive tape side a U-shaped cut having a depth reaching the interface between the phosphor layer and the support by means of a knife. The U-shaped cut was made along the longitudinal direction of the strip.
In a tensile testing machine (Tensilon UTM-11-20 manufactured by Toyo Baldwin Co., Ltd., Japan), the U-shaped cut portion and the remaining strip portion were forced to separate from each other by pulling up the tab end of the cut portion at a rate of 2 cm/min. The adhesion strength was determined just when a 1-cm long portion of the phosphor layer was separated from the support. The strength is expressed in terms of the force F (g/cm).
The results are set forth in Table 1.

Example 2

The sand blasting procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that the polyethylene terephthalate film containing titanium dioxide was replaced with a polyethylene terephthalate film having the same thickness but containing carbon black. The so processed surface of the support was provided with a great number of pits having a mean depth of 2 pm, a maximum depth of 7 pm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 20 µm.
Subsequently, a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film was prepared in the same manner as described in Example 1.

Comparative Example 3

The procedure of Example 2 was repeated except that no sand blasting was applied to the polyethylene terephthalate film containing carbon black, to prepare a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.
Each of the screens prepared in Example 2 and Comparative Example 3 was evaluated on the sharpness of image and the adhesion strength of the phosphor layer to the support in the same manner described previously. The results are set forth in Table 2.

Example 3

The procedure of Example 2 was repeated except that the particulated terbium activated gadolinium oxysulfide phosphor was replaced with a particulated divalent europium activated barium fluorobromide (BaFBr:Eu²⁺) phosphor, to prepare a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer, and a transparent protective film.

Comparative Example 4

The procedure of Example 3 was repeated exceptthat no sand blasting was applied to the polyethylene terephthalate film containing carbon black, to prepare a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.
Each of the screens prepared in Example 3 and Comparative Example 4 was evaluated on the sharpness of image and the adhesion strength of the phosphor layer to the support in the same manner described previously. The results are set forth in Table 3.

Example 4

The procedure of Example 2 was repeated except that the particulated divalent europium activated barium fluorobromide (BaFBr:Eu²⁺) phosphor was replaced with a calcium tungstate (CaW0₄) phosphor, to prepare a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer, and a transparent protective film.

Comparative Example 5

The procedure of Example 4 was repeated except that no sand blasting was applied to the polyethylene terephthalate film containing carbon black, to prepare a radiographic intensifying screen consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.
Each of the screens prepared in Example 4 and Comparative Example 5 was evaluated on the sharpness of image and the adhesion strength of the phosphor layer to the support in the same manner described previously. The results are set forth in Table 4.
As described previously, the radiation image conversion panel of this invention includes a radiation image storage panel.
As a method of obtaining a radiation image, a radiation image recording and reproducing method described in U.S. Patents No. 3,859,527, No. 4,258,264, No. 4,236,078, and No. 4,239,968 is paid much attention. In this radiation image recording and reproducing method, there is employed a radiation image storage panel comprising a stimulable phosphor which emits light when stimulated by electromagnetic radiation such as visible light and infrared rays (referred to hereinafter as "stimulating rays") after exposure to a radiation. The term "radiation" as used herein means electromagnetic or corpuscular radiation, such as X-rays, a-rays, P-rays, y-rays, high energy neutron rays, cathode rays, vacuum ultraviolet rays, or ultraviolet rays. The above-cited method involves the steps of (1) causing the stimulable phosphor of the panel to absorb a radiation having passed through an object; (2) scanning the panel with stimulating rays to sequentially release the radiation energy stored in the panel as light emission; and (3) electrically processing the emitted light to give an image.
In the radiation image recording and reproducing method, it is desired that a radiation image is recorded and reproduced with high sensitivity, as well as that the quality of image such as sharpness obtained by the method is high.
The radiation image storage panel comprises a support and at least one phosphor layer comprising a binder and a phosphor dispersed therein. However, the phosphor contained in this phosphor layer is a stimulable phosphor.
The favorable effects such as the improvements in the sharpness of image and the adhesion between the phosphor layer and the support as described for the radiographic intensifying screen are also observed on the radiation image storage panel using a support provided on the surface with a great number of pits having the specifically determined size, that is, a mean depth of 1 to 10 µm, a maximum depth of 1 to 50 µm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 10 to 50 pm. The preferred ranges of the dimension of the pits described hereinbefore with respect to the radiographic intensifying screen have been also confirmed in the radiation image storage panel.
As mentioned above, there are no substantial differences in the material and constitution of the panel (screen) between the radiographic intensifying screen and the radiation image storage panel except that a stimulable phosphor is used in the latter. Accordingly, the stimulable phosphor is specifically stated hereinbelow for description of the radiation image storage panel of the invention.
Examples of the stimulable phosphors employable in the present invention include the following phosphors.

i) SrS:Ce,Sm, SrS:Eu,Sm, La₂0₂S:Eu,Sm, and (Zn,Cd)S:MnX wherein X is halogen, as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,859,527;
ii) ZnS:Cu,Pd, BaO·xAl₂O₃:Eu wherein x is a number satisfying the condition of 0.8 ≦ x ≦ 10, and M"O·xSiO₂:A wherein M^II is at least one divalent metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Zn, Cd and Ba, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ce, Tb, Eu, Tm, Pb, TI, Bi and Mn, and x is a number satisfying the condition of 0.5 ≦ x ≦ 2.5, as described in US-A-4,236,078;
iii) LnOX:xA wherein Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Y, Gd and Lu, X is CI and/or Br, A is Ce and/or Tb, and x is a number satisfying the condition of 0 < x ≦ 0.1, as described in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4,236,078;
iv) (Ba_1-x, M^IIx)FX:yA wherein M^II is at least one divalent metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Zn and Cd, X is at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr, Ho, Nd, Yb and Er, and x and y are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0 Z x ≦ 0.6 and 0 < y ≦ 0.1, respectively, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,239,968;
v) (Ba_1-x-y,Mg_x,Ca_y)FX:aEu²⁺ wherein X is at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I, x and y are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0 < x + y Z 0.6 and xy * 0, and a is a number satisfying the condition of 10^-6 ≦ a ≦ 5 x 10^-2, as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 55 (1980)-12143;
vi) BaFX:xCe,yA wherein X is at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of In, Ta, Gd, Sm and Zr, and x and y are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0 < x ≦ 2 x 10^-1 and 0 < y Z 5 x 10-², respectively, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,261,854;
vii) BaF₂·aBaX₂·bMe'F·cMe"F₂·dMe"'F₃·eLn wherein X is at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I, Me' is Li and/or Na, Me" is at least one divalent metal selected from the group consisting of Be, Ca and Sr, Me"' is at least one trivalent metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, Y and La, Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Ce and Tb, and a, b, c, d and e are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0.90 ≦ a ≦ 1.05, 0 ≦ b ≦ 0.9, 0 ≦ c ≦ 1.2, 0 ≦ d ≦ 0.03, 10^-6 ≦ e ≦ 0.03, respectively and b = c = d _N 0, as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 56(1981)-2385;
viii) complex halide phosphor in which MgF₂ is added to the above-mentioned phosphor of Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 56(1981)-2385, as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 56(1981)-2386;
ix) BaFX·aLiX'·bBex"z·cM^IIIX'"₃:dA wherein each of X, X', X" and X"' are at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I, M^III is AI and/or Ga, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr, Ho, Nd, Yb, Er, Gd, Lu, Sm and Y, and a, b, c and d are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0 ≦ a ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ b ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ c ≦ 0.1,10^-6 ≦ d ≦ 0.2, respectively and 0 ≦ a + b + c ≦ 0.1, as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 56(1981)-74175; and the like.

The stimulable phosphor is preferably a divalent europium activated complex halide phosphor, more preferably a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide phosphor, in particular a divalent europium activated barium fluorohalide phosphor. A divalent europium activated barium fluorobromide (BaFBr:Eu²⁺) phosphor is particularly preferred.
From the viewpoint of practical use, the stimulable phosphor is preferably a phosphor which emits light in the wavelength region ranging from 300 nm to 600 nm when stimulated by stimulating rays in the wavelength region ranging from 450 nm to 1100 nm, particularly from 450 nm to 750 nm.
The phosphor layer used in the radiation image storage panel of the present invention consists essentially of a stimulable phosphor dispersed in a binder. The panel according to the invention comprises a support and the phosphor layer provided thereonto. There is no specific limitation on the binder employed in the phosphor layer. The ratio between the amount of the binder and the amount of the phosphor generally ranges from 1:1 to 1:80(binder:phosphor) by weight and preferably ranges from 1:5 to 1:50 by weight, and the thickness of the phosphor layer generally ranges from 20 µm to 1 mm, preferably from 100 µm to 500 pm, depending upon the purpose. There is no specific limitation on the support employed in the invention, but the support preferably employed is a flexible plastic sheet.
In the radiation image storage panel of the present invention, one or more layers can be optionally placed between the support and the phosphor layer, such as a light reflecting layer, a light absorbing layer and an undercoating layer (subbing layer).
Further, a protective layer is generally provided onto the phosphor layer in a thickness ranging from 3 µm to 20 µm, to chemically and physically protect the phosphor layer. Furthermore, the radiation image storage panel of the present invention can be colored with a coloring agent, to enhance the sharpness of the image, as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 56(1981)-163500. For the same purpose, a white powder can be dispersed in the phosphor layer of the panel, as described in US-A-4,350,893.
It is assumed that the improvement of the sharpness of image accomplished in the storage panel is given by the fact that the stimulating rays impinged upon the phosphor layer are substantially free from the mirror reflection by the support surface which causes reduction of the sharpness, because of the provision of the pits having the specified dimension. In this case, most of the reflected light is presumably enclosed in the pit.
The radiation image storage panel of the present invention is further described by the following examples.

Example 5

A surface of a polyethylene terephthalate film containing carbon black (support, thickness 250 pm) was subjected to sand blasting employing silica sand in which more than approximately 50% by weight of the silica particles had a diameter of 105-150 pm (100-150 mesh size). The sand blasting was carried out under centrifugal force by applying to the support surface the silica particles supplied from a drum rotating at a speed of 1900 rpm. Thus, a rough surface was provided onto the support. The so prepared surface of the support was provided with a great number of pits having a mean depth of 2 µm, a maximum depth of 7 µm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 20 pm.
Independently, to a mixture of a particulated divalent europium activated barium fluorobromide (BaFBr:Eu²⁺) stimulable phosphor and a linear polyester resin were successively added methyl ethyl ketone and nitrocellulose (nitrofication degree 11.5%) to prepare a phosphor dispersion. To the phosphor dispersion were further added tricresyl phosphate, n-butanol and methyl ethyl ketone. The mixture was sufficiently stirred by means of a propeller agitator to obtain a homogeneous coating dispersion having a viscosity of 25-35 PS (at 25°C).
The coating dispersion was applied to the sand-blasted surface of the support placed horizontally on a glass plate. The coating procedure was carried out using a doctor blade. The support coated with the dispersion thereon was then placed in an oven and heated therein at a temperature slowly varying from 25 to 100°C. Thus, a phosphor layer having thickness of approximately 180 pm was produced on the support.
On the phosphor layer of the support was placed a transparent polyethylene terephthalate film (thickness: 12 µm) having a polyester adhesive layer to combine the transparent film and the phosphor layer through the adhesive layer.
Thus, a radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film was prepared.

Comparative Example 6

The procedure of Example 5 was repeated except that the sand blasting to the surface of the support was carried out using silica sand in which more than approximately 50% by weight of the silica particles had a diameter of approximately 48 pm (300 mesh size). The so processed surface of the support was provided with a great number of pits having a mean depth of 0.2 pm, a maximum depth of 0.8 pm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 0.5 pm.
A radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film was then prepared in the same manner as described in Example 5.
The radiation image storage panels prepared in Example 5 and Comparative Example 6 were evaluated on the sharpness of image and the adhesion strength of the phosphor layer to the support. The evaluation methods are given below:

(1) Sharpness of image

The panel was exposed to X-rays of 80 KVp through an MTF chart made of lead, and subsequently the panel was scanned with a He-Ne laser beam. The light emitted by the phosphor layer of the panel was detected and converted to the corresponding electric signal by means of the above-mentioned photosensor. The electric signal was converted to the corresponding image signal by means of an analogue-digital converter, and the image signal was recorded on a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape was then analyzed in a computer to produce the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the X-ray image recorded thereon. The MTF value was produced and given as an MTF value (%) at the spacial frequency of 2 cycle/mm.

(2) Adhesion strength of phosphor layer to support.

Same as previously described for the determination of the adhesion strength of the radiographic intensifying screen.
The results are set forth in Table 5. A relative sensitivity is also set forth in Table 5.

Example 6

The procedure of Example 5 was repeated except that the phosphor layer was formed in a thickness of 200 µm, to prepare a radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.

Comparative Example 7

The procedure of Comparative Example 6 was repeated except that the phosphor layer was formed in thickness of 200 pm, to prepare a radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.
Each of the panels prepared in Example 6 and Comparative Example 7 was evaluated on the sharpness of image and the adhesion strength of the phosphor layer to the support in the same manner described previously. The results are set forth in Table 6.

Example 7

The procedure of Example 5 was repeated except that the polyethylene terephthalate film containing carbon black was replaced with a polyethylene terephthalate film having the same thickness but containing titanium dioxide, to prepare a radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.

Comparative Example 8

The procedure of Comparative Example 6 was repeated except that the polyethylene terephthalate film containing carbon black was replaced with a polyethylene terephthalate film having the same thickness but containing titanium dioxide, to prepare a radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.
Each of the panels prepared in Example 7 and Comparative Example 8 was evaluated on the sharpness of image and the adhesion strength of the phosphor layer to the support in the same manner described previously. The results are set forth in Table 7.

Example 8

The procedure of Example 5 was repeated except that the thickness of the phosphor layer was varied in the range of 200-300 um, to prepare a radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent protective film.
The procedure of Example 8 was repeated except that no sand blasting was applied to the surface of the support, to prepare a radiation image storage panel consisting of a support, a phosphor layer and a transparent film.
The sharpness of image was evaluated on a variety of the panels prepared in Example 8 and Comparative Example 9. The results are illustrated graphically in Figure 1.
In Figure 1, the relationship between the sharpness and the relative sensitivity observed in the panels prepared in Example 8 is given under the indication A, while the relationship therebetween observed in the panels prepared in Comparative Example 9 is given under the indication B.
From the results given in Figure 1, the radiation image storage panel of the invnetion shows prominently higher sharpness of image than the radiation image storage panel prepared according to the conventional method, under the conditions that the sensitivity is set at the same value.

Claims

1. A radiographic intensifying screen comprising a support and at least one phosphor layer comprising a binder and a phosphor dispersed therein, in which the support is provided on the surface facing the phosphor layer with a great number of pits characterised in that said pits have a mean depth of 1-10 µm, a maximum depth of 1 to 50 µm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 10-50 pm.

2. The radiographic intensifying screen as claimed in 1 in which the maximum depth of the pits is in the range of 2-20 um.

3. The radiographic intensifying screen as claimed in 1 in which the support is made of a plastic film.

4. The radiographic intensifying screen as claimed in 1 in which the binder comprises a linear polyester as a principal component.

5. The radiographic intensifying screen as claimed in 1 in which the binder comprises nitrocellulose as a principal component.

6. The radiographic intensifying screen as claimed in 1 in which the binder comprises a mixture of a linear polyester and nitrocellulose as a principal component.

7. A radiation image storage panel comprising a support and at least one phosphor layer comprising a binder and a stimulable phosphor dispersed therein, in which the support is provided on the surface facing the phosphor layer with a great number of pits characterised in that said pits have a mean depth of 1-10 um, a maximum depth of 1 to 50 µm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 10-50 pm.

8. The radiation image storage panel as claimed in claim 7 in which the maximum depth of the pits is in the range of 2-20 pm.

9. The radiation image storage panel as claimed in claim 7 in which the support is made of a plastic film.

10. The radiation image storage panel as claimed in claim 7 in which the binder comprises a linear polyester as a principal component.

11. The radiation image storage panel as claimed in claim 7 in which the binder comprises nitrocellulose as a principal component.

12. The radiation image storage panel as claimed in claim 7 in which the binder comprises a mixture of a linear polyester and nitrocellulose as a principal component.

13. The radiation image storage panel as claimed in claim 7 in which the stimulable phosphor is a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide.

14. Use of a radiation image storage panel comprising a support and at least one phosphor layer comprising a binder and a stimulable phosphor dispersed therein, in which the support is provided on the surface facing the phosphor layer with a great number of pits having a mean depth of 1-10 pm, a maximum depth of 1-50 µm, and a mean diameter at the opening of 10-50 pm in a radiation image recording and reproducing method comprising the steps of:

causing the stimulable phosphor of the panel to absorb a radiation having passed through an object;

scanning the panel with stimulating rays to sequentially release the radiation energy stored in the panel as light emission, and electrically processing the emitted light to give an image.

15. The.use of a radiation image storage panel claimed in claim 14 in which the stimulable phosphor is a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide.