Radiation image conversion panel and process for producing the same

Abstract

The radiation image conversion panel includes a stimulable phosphor layer formed by a vapor-phase deposition and solely formed of columnar crystals, a matrix layer formed under the stimulable phosphor layer, is substantially free of an activator of a stimulable phosphor, and has a columnar crystal region and an underlying non-columnar crystal region and a substrate which supports the matrix layer and the stimulable phosphor layer formed on the matrix layer. The process for producing the radiation image conversion panel forms on the substrate the matrix layer and forms the stimulable phosphor layer by the vapor-phase deposition. The formation of the stimulable phosphor layer is started after a crystal structure of an upper region of the matrix layer has changed from a non-columnar to a columnar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the radiation image conversion panel of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the radiation image conversion panel of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing in concept the radiation image conversion panel illustrated in FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A radiation image conversion panel comprising: a stimulable phosphor layer which is formed by a vapor-phase deposition and is solely formed of columnar crystals;a matrix layer which is formed under said stimulable phosphor layer, is substantially free of an activator of a stimulable phosphor, and has a columnar crystal region and an underlying non-columnar crystal region; anda substrate which supports said matrix layer and said stimulable phosphor layer formed on said matrix layer.

2. The radiation image conversion panel according to claim 1, wherein said stimulable phosphor layer has an activator concentration-increasing region in which a concentration of said activator increases progressively from an interface with said matrix layer toward an outer surface of said stimulable phosphor layer.

3. The radiation image conversion panel according to claim 2, wherein said activator concentration-increasing region has a thickness ranging from 0.5 μm to a value corresponding to a thickness of said stimulable phosphor layer.

4. The radiation image conversion panel according to claim 2, wherein a rate at which said concentration of said activator changes in said activator concentration-increasing region is between 1×10−7 μm and 5×10−4 μm.

5. The radiation image conversion panel according to claim 1, wherein said underlying non-columnar crystal region of said matrix layer is a spherical crystal layer having a spherical crystal structure.

6. The radiation image conversion panel according to claim 1, further comprising: a protective layer having sufficient moisture resistance which is formed on said stimulable phosphor layer.

7. A process for producing a radiation image conversion panel having a stimulable phosphor layer, comprising: forming on or above a substrate a matrix layer which is substantially free of an activator of a stimulable phosphor; andforming said stimulable phosphor layer by a vapor-phase deposition,wherein formation of said stimulable phosphor layer is started after a crystal structure of an upper region of said matrix layer has changed from a non-columnar to a columnar.

8. The process for producing a radiation image conversion panel according to claim 7, wherein at a time when said formation of said stimulable phosphor layer has started, said activator of said stimulable phosphor is deposited in a smaller amount than a required value and thereafter said activator is deposited in a progressively increased amount until said required value is reached.