JPH10171046A - Radiograph erasing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To excellently erase accumulated and recorded radiographs from a stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiograph is accumulated and recorded. SOLUTION: The stimulable phosphor sheet 2, from which the radiographs have been read, is carried to the lower part of a UV contained light irradiation part 10 first by a carrying belt 5 and irradiated with UV contained light including the wavelength component of a UV range. The sheet 2 is gradually carried to the lower part of a long-wavelength light irradiation part 20 and irradiated with long-wavelength light consisting of a longer wavelength component than the UV range in turn from an area irradiated with the UV contained light. By a light shielding means 6 positioned at a boundary between the irradiation parts 10 and 20 and extended toward the sheet 2, the area irradiated with the long-wavelength light is shielded from the incident of the UV contained light.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for irradiating a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image with light to erase the radiation image stored and recorded on the sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Radiation (X-ray, α-ray,
(β-rays, γ-rays, ultraviolet rays, electron beams, etc.), a part of the energy of this radiation is accumulated in the phosphor, and then, when the phosphor is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, the energy is accumulated. The phosphor emits stimulated emission according to the energy. A phosphor exhibiting such properties is referred to as a stimulable phosphor.

Using this stimulable phosphor, radiation image information of a human body or the like is temporarily recorded on a sheet of the stimulable phosphor, and the sheet is scanned with excitation light to emit stimulating light. There has been proposed a method of obtaining an image signal by reading out the image signal and processing the image signal to obtain an image having good diagnostic suitability (for example, JP-A-55-12429, JP-A-56-11395, and JP-A-55-163472).
No. 56-104645, No. 55-116340).

In this method, in order to separate the wavelength regions of the excitation light and the stimulated emission light and to efficiently detect the extremely weak stimulated emission light, the excitation light in the wavelength range of 600 to 700 nm is used to emit the excitation light and the stimulated emission light. It is said that a stimulable phosphor that emits a stimulable emission light of 300 to 500 nm when excited by light of 600 to 700 nm is preferably used as the stimulable phosphor (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. -12429).

In such a radiation image recording / reproducing method, various forms such as a stimulable phosphor sheet (strictly speaking, such as a panel-like sheet or a drum-like sheet) can be used. Sheet).)
Is economical to use repeatedly.

[0006] If a sufficient intensity of excitation light is irradiated at the time of reading, the stored radiation energy due to the recorded radiation image information should disappear, but in fact, complete excitation is achieved only by the excitation light irradiated at the time of reading. It cannot be erased. Therefore, when the stimulable phosphor sheet is used repeatedly, there is a problem that the previous photographed image remains as a residual image and becomes noise in the next photographed image.

On the other hand, since a small amount of radioactive isotopes such as ²²⁶ Ra and ⁴⁰ K are mixed in the stimulable phosphor, the stimulable phosphor sheet is left alone by radiation emitted from these radioisotopes. In this case, radiation energy is accumulated, which also causes noise. Energy is also stored by environmental radiation such as cosmic rays and radiation from radioisotopes in the environment. Radiation energy (hereinafter referred to as “fog”) accumulated during these standings also causes noise for the next photographed image, so that the fog must be erased before photographing.
In order to prevent the occurrence of noise due to the previous captured image and noise due to fog in such a system, the applicant has proposed that the excitation light of the phosphor be recorded before recording the radiation image information on the stimulable phosphor sheet. A method has been proposed in which the stimulable phosphor sheet is excited with light having a wavelength including light in the wavelength range to sufficiently emit the stored radiation energy.

As the erasing method, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp,
A device using a relatively long wavelength light source such as an infrared lamp (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-11392), a relatively short light source such as a fluorescent lamp, a laser light source, a Na lamp, a Ne lamp, a metal halide lamp, and a Xe lamp having a wavelength of about 400 to 600 nm. Using a light source of the following wavelength (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-83839): A stimulable phosphor sheet that has been erased once is irradiated with a dose of 1/5 to 3 / 10,000 that of the first erase. A method in which the second erasing is performed immediately before reusing the stimulable phosphor sheet (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-116300) is known. Among these erasing methods, it is said that erasing in the visible light region is particularly efficient.

However, if erasing is performed using an erasing light source that does not include a wavelength in the UV (ultraviolet) region, it is not possible to sufficiently erase a residual image due to relatively deep trapped electrons that are hardly erased by visible light. On the other hand, when erasing is performed with erasing light containing many wavelengths in the UV region, the above-described residual image due to the deep trap electrons can be erased, but new trap electrons are formed by the erasing light itself in the UV region wavelength. It is not possible to erase a residual image.

Therefore, it is very difficult to simultaneously erase the images by the ordinary trap and the deep trap, and to perform efficient and complete erasure. Because
In fact, it is necessary to delicately control the short wavelength component in the erasing light. Therefore, after erasing with erasing light containing a wavelength component in the UV region, erasing is performed with erasing light having a wavelength longer than the UV region, thereby efficiently erasing not only an image using a normal trap but also a residual image using a deep trap. There has been proposed a radiation image erasing method that can perform the method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-1746).

[0011]

When the radiation image erasing method as described above is employed, two types of erasing light sources are installed close to each other or a fluorescent lamp or the like is used in order to reduce the size of the apparatus and improve the processing efficiency. The erasing light emission surface is divided into two regions with a common light source,
On the other hand, it is preferable that a short wavelength cut filter is provided on one side so that the sheet is irradiated with erasing light substantially including the wavelength in the UV region and erasing light not including the wavelength in the UV region. However, if two types of erasing light sources are installed close to each other, or if the erasing light emitting surface is simply divided into two regions, the UV wavelength light is often applied to the region where the erasing light does not include the wavelength in the UV region. There is a risk of incidence. This UV
Since the incidence of light having a wavelength forms new trapped electrons, the overall erasure efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a radiation image erasing apparatus capable of satisfactorily erasing an image stored and recorded on a sheet.

[0013]

A first radiographic image erasing apparatus according to the present invention irradiates a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiographic image with light so that the radiographic image stored and recorded on the sheet is illuminated. A radiation image erasing apparatus for erasing a sheet, wherein a UV-containing light irradiating unit that irradiates the sheet with UV-containing light containing a wavelength component in a UV region, and the sheet emits long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region A long-wavelength light irradiating unit that irradiates the sheet with the UV-containing light, and a light blocking unit that blocks the UV-containing light from being incident on an area of the sheet where the long-wavelength light is irradiated after being irradiated with the UV-containing light. It is characterized by having.

The "light-shielding means" is a means for blocking the incidence of UV-containing light, particularly short-wavelength light of a UV region or less, which can form trapped electrons, into the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light, If the amount of incident light is reduced to some extent as compared with the case where no light-shielding means is provided, it corresponds to the “means for interrupting incident light”.

According to a second radiation image erasing apparatus of the present invention, in the first radiation image erasing apparatus, the UV-containing light irradiating section and the long-wavelength light irradiating section are sequentially arranged in a direction in which the sheet extends. The light-shielding unit is arranged to face the sheet, and the light-shielding unit is formed of a light-shielding member located between the UV-containing light irradiation unit and the long-wavelength light irradiation unit and extending toward the sheet. Is what you do.

A third radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention irradiates a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image with light, thereby erasing the radiation image accumulated and recorded on the sheet. An apparatus for irradiating a UV-containing light containing a wavelength component in a UV region toward the sheet, a UV-containing light irradiation unit including a light source that emits the UV-containing light, and a long wavelength component longer than the UV region. Irradiating a wavelength light toward the sheet, a long wavelength light irradiation comprising a light source and a short wavelength cut filter disposed on the sheet side of the light source and passing only a long wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than a UV region. And the UV-containing light irradiating section and the long-wavelength light irradiating section are sequentially arranged in the direction in which the sheet extends, and are disposed so as to face the sheet. Than light source of the wavelength light irradiation unit and is characterized in that it is located far from the sheet.

That is, by arranging the light source of the UV-containing light irradiator at a greater distance from the sheet than the light source of the long wavelength light irradiator, the expected angle of the sheet from the UV-containing light irradiator to the light source can be reduced. Thus, the amount of UV-containing light directly incident on a region irradiated with long-wavelength light is reduced.

A fourth radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention irradiates a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image with light, thereby erasing the radiation image accumulated and recorded on the sheet. An apparatus for irradiating a UV-containing light including a wavelength component in a UV region toward the sheet, and a UV-irradiating unit configured to irradiate the sheet with long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region. A UV light irradiating unit, the UV-containing light irradiating unit and the long-wavelength light irradiating unit are arranged in order in the direction in which the sheet extends, and arranged to face the sheet, and the UV-containing light irradiating unit and the sheet And a condensing means for condensing the UV-containing light and irradiating the sheet with the UV-containing light.

That is, by spreading the UV-containing light from the UV-containing light irradiating section using a condensing means such as a cylindrical lens and irradiating the sheet with the UV-containing light, the spread of the UV-containing light is suppressed, and the irradiation of the long-wavelength light is performed. Is characterized in that the amount of UV-containing light directly incident on the region where the light emission is performed is reduced.

A fifth radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention irradiates a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image with light, thereby erasing the radiation image stored and recorded on the sheet. An apparatus for irradiating a UV-containing light containing a wavelength component in a UV region toward the sheet, a UV-containing light irradiation unit including a light source that emits the UV-containing light, and a long wavelength component longer than the UV region. A long-wavelength light irradiating a light source for irradiating the sheet with the wavelength light, and a short-wavelength cut filter disposed on the sheet side of the light source and passing only long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than a UV region. Unit, the UV-containing light irradiation unit and the long-wavelength light irradiation unit are arranged side by side in the direction in which the sheet extends, and the light source of the UV-containing light irradiation unit is a light source of the long-wavelength light irradiation unit A light condensing unit that is located at a long distance from the sheet and is provided between the UV-containing light irradiation unit and the sheet, for condensing the UV-containing light and irradiating the sheet with the UV-containing light. It is assumed that.

That is, by arranging the light source of the UV-containing light irradiator at a distance from the sheet than the light source of the long-wavelength light irradiator, the expected angle of the sheet from the UV-containing light irradiator to the light source can be reduced. Thus, while reducing the amount of UV-containing light that is directly incident on the region irradiated with long-wavelength light,
By condensing the UV-containing light from the V-containing light irradiation unit using a condensing means such as a cylindrical lens and irradiating the sheet, the spread of the UV-containing light is suppressed, and irradiation with long-wavelength light is performed. It is characterized in that the amount of UV-containing light directly incident on the region is further reduced.

[0022]

According to the first radiographic image erasing apparatus of the present invention,
Since the sheet is provided with a light-blocking means for blocking the incidence of UV-containing light on the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light after the irradiation with the UV-containing light, a new region is provided in the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light. A good image can be efficiently erased without forming trapped electrons.

The second radiographic image erasing apparatus of the present invention has a U
By arranging a light-shielding member extending toward the sheet between the V-containing light irradiation section and the long-wavelength light irradiation section, good light-shielding can be performed with a simple configuration, and the area where long-wavelength light is irradiated. UV-containing light can be blocked from entering the
Good image erasure can be performed.

A third radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that
Since the light source of the V-containing light irradiating unit is disposed farther from the sheet than the light source of the long-wavelength light irradiating unit, the light source of the UV-containing light irradiating unit has a distance from the light source of the long-wavelength light irradiating unit and the sheet. The amount of UV-containing light emitted from the UV-containing light emitting portion, which is directly incident on the region irradiated with long-wavelength light, can be reduced as compared with the case where the light is emitted at the same position.

A fourth radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention
By providing a condensing unit between the V-containing light irradiation unit and the sheet so as to condense the UV-containing light and irradiate the sheet, the spread of the UV-containing light is suppressed, and the long-wavelength light is irradiated. The amount of UV-containing light that is directly incident on the region in which it is located can be reduced.

A fifth radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention
The light source of the V-containing light irradiating unit is disposed farther from the sheet than the light source of the long wavelength light irradiating unit, and further, the UV-containing light is condensed between the UV-containing light irradiating unit and the sheet to irradiate the sheet. The light source of the UV-containing light irradiating unit is emitted from the UV-containing light emitting unit as compared with the case where the distance from the light source of the long-wavelength light irradiating unit and the sheet is at the same position. Not only can the amount of the UV-containing light directly incident on the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light be reduced, but also the UV-containing light is condensed and irradiated onto the sheet. It is possible to more effectively reduce the incidence of the contained light on the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light.

As described above, the radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention irradiates a UV-containing light irradiating section for irradiating UV-containing light containing a wavelength component in the UV region, and irradiates a long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region. Irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with UV-containing light to emit deep trapped electrons, and irradiating the sheet with the long-wavelength light at least at the final stage of erasing. By doing so, electrons in relatively shallow traps newly trapped by UV wavelength components when previously irradiated with UV-containing light can be emitted, and the image can be erased to a sufficiently low level as a whole. In addition, since the amount of UV-containing light incident on the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light after the irradiation with the UV-containing light is reduced, the trapped electron is newly added to the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light. And good image erasing can be efficiently performed without forming the image.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a radiation image erasing apparatus 1 according to the present invention irradiates an erasing light to a stimulable phosphor sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “sheet”) 2 to convert an image stored and recorded on the sheet 2. For erasing, only a plurality of light sources 3 that emit erasing light and only long-wavelength light having a longer-wavelength component than a UV (ultraviolet) region, which is disposed on a part 21 of an emission surface that emits light from the light source 3, are transmitted. A short-wavelength cut filter 22, and a light-shielding member 6 extending to the sheet 2, which is located at the boundary between the emission surface 21 where the short-wavelength cut filter 22 is arranged and the emission surface 11 where the short-wavelength cut filter 22 is not arranged. Consists of That is, a combination of the light source 3 and the emission surface 21 on which the short wavelength cut filter 22 is arranged, and
The combination of the light source 3 and the emission surface 11 on which the short-wavelength cut filter 22 is not provided corresponds to the long-wavelength irradiation unit 20 and the UV-containing light irradiation unit 10 described in the above claims.

As the light source 3, a lamp that emits light containing a wavelength component in the UV region is used. Examples include various fluorescent lamps, mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, and the like. In order to perform efficient erasing, it is desirable to use not only light in the UV region but also visible light.

There are various types of fluorescent lamps, such as white (W), warm white (WW), daylight (D), incandescent lamp colors,
High color rendering white (W-DL), (W-SDL), (WE
DL) and other cold fluorescent lamps such as green (G), blue (B), and high color rendering white (LCD). All of them have a broad band spectrum from about 300 nm to 750 nm. It has a wide and high emission distribution, especially around 600 nm, and ordinary fluorescent lamps
It has a high-luminance line spectrum in the vicinity and can be used as a light source.

As the filter 22, a sharp cut filter that cuts short wavelengths of about 400 nm or less can be used. For example, H. Co., which transmits only light of about 420 nm or more, can be used.
OYA's sharp cut filter “L-42” or the like can be used as a suitable one. Also, from about 390nm
"L-40" or the like that transmits only light having a longer wavelength than 410 nm can be used.

The light-blocking member 6 is made of UV-containing light, in particular, short-wavelength light below the UV region (hereinafter, light of a short-wavelength component below this UV region among UV-containing light is referred to as “UV light”).
Are provided to prevent the long wavelength light from being irradiated after being irradiated with the UV-containing light. Therefore, it is not always necessary to use a light-shielding material that completely blocks light, but a material that transmits only light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region, that is, a material that does not transmit short wavelengths below the UV region. For example, a short wavelength cut filter may be used.

In general, a radiation image erasing device irradiates a stimulable phosphor sheet 2 on which a radiation image is stored and recorded with excitation light, and receives photostimulated light excited by the excitation light to perform photoelectric conversion. Is used to erase the radiation image remaining on the sheet 2 after the reading of the radiation image is performed.

The stimulable phosphor sheet 2 that has been read is conveyed by the conveyor belt 5 in the direction of arrow A in the figure. First, the sheet 2 is carried in below the UV-containing light irradiation unit 10 and irradiated with UV-containing light, is gradually conveyed in the direction A, is carried in below the long-wavelength light irradiation unit 20, and has the UV-containing light in the sheet 2. Long-wavelength light is applied sequentially from the area where the light is applied. That is, first, by irradiating with UV-containing light, electrons in a deep trap are emitted, and further, by irradiating with long-wavelength light not containing UV light, a new trap is caused by a UV wavelength component at the time of UV-containing light irradiation. An image is erased by emitting electrons from a relatively shallow trap.

At this time, the light blocking member 6 blocks the UV light from entering the area irradiated with the long wavelength light, and the sheet is not irradiated with the UV light in the latter half of the erasing process. Efficient image erasing can be performed without forming electrons.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention. The same parts as those of the radiation image erasing apparatus according to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the radiation image erasing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the light source 3 ′ of the UV-containing light irradiation unit 10 is located farther from the sheet 2 than the light source 3 of the long-wavelength light irradiation unit 20. It is arranged in. With this structure, the light source 3 ′ of the UV-containing light irradiating unit 10 emits light from the UV-containing light emitting unit 11 in comparison with the case where the distance from the light source 3 of the long-wavelength light irradiating unit 20 to the sheet 2 is the same. Of the UV-containing light
It is possible to reduce the amount of light that is directly incident on the region irradiated with long-wavelength light. That is, by moving the light source 3 ′ away from the sheet 2, the expected angle from the light source 3 ′ with respect to the sheet 2 is reduced, and the amount of UV-containing light incident on the long-wavelength light irradiation region is reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention. The radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a cylindrical lens 12 is provided on a UV-containing light emitting surface 11 of a UV-containing light irradiation unit 10. The cylindrical lens 12 focuses UV-containing light and irradiates the sheet 2 with the light. Therefore, the spread of the UV-containing light emitted from the emission surface 11 is suppressed, and the incident amount of the UV-containing light directly incident on the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light can be reduced.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention. In the radiation image erasing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the light source 3 ′ of the UV-containing light irradiation unit 10 is disposed at a position farther from the sheet 2 than the light source 3 of the long-wavelength light irradiation unit 20. The output surface 11 of the unit 10 includes a cylindrical lens 22.
With this structure, the light source 3 ′ of the UV-containing light irradiating unit 10 emits light from the UV-containing light emitting unit 11 in comparison with the case where the distance from the light source 3 of the long-wavelength light irradiating unit 20 to the sheet 2 is the same. Not only can reduce the amount of UV-containing light that is directly incident on the area where long-wavelength light is irradiated,
The UV-containing light is condensed by the cylindrical lens 22 and is irradiated on the sheet 2.
It is possible to more effectively reduce the incidence of the contained light on the region irradiated with the long-wavelength light. As shown in FIG. 4, when the UV light is emitted from the boundary between the UV-containing light irradiating section 10 and the long-wavelength irradiating section 20, the UV to the long-wavelength light irradiating region is
Short-wavelength cut filter at the boundary due to light leakage
24 are arranged.

In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, an embodiment has been described in which a sheet is conveyed only in one direction to perform image erasure. It is also possible to adopt a form in which the image is erased by reciprocating. In this case, as a fifth embodiment of the radiation image erasing apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the UV-containing light irradiation section 10 is sandwiched between two long-wavelength light irradiation sections 20. With this configuration, even in the case of reciprocating erasing in which the sheet 2 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by the conveying belt 5 ′ and then conveyed backward in the direction B to erase, only the long-wavelength light is required in the final stage of erasing. Irradiation can be performed,
Images can be efficiently deleted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mode in which the sheet is conveyed by the conveying means and the image on the sheet is erased has been described, but any mode in which the sheet is moved relative to the irradiation unit is adopted. You can also.
The term "relatively moving" may mean that the irradiation unit is fixed and the sheet is moved as in the above embodiment, or conversely, the sheet is fixed and the irradiation unit is moved. Good. Furthermore, the irradiation unit and the sheet are both movable,
For example, they may be moved in opposite directions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a radiation image erasing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the radiation image erasing device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a radiation image erasing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the radiation image erasing apparatus according to the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 stimulable phosphor sheet 2 radiation image erasing device 3 light source 5 transport belt 6 light shielding means 10 UV-containing light irradiating section 11 UV-containing light emitting surface 12 cylindrical lens 20 long wavelength irradiating section 21 long wavelength emitting surface 22 short wavelength cut filter

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A radiation image erasing apparatus for erasing a radiation image stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image by irradiating light to the stimulable phosphor sheet, comprising a wavelength component in a UV region. A UV-containing light irradiating unit that irradiates the sheet with UV-containing light that includes: a long-wavelength light irradiating unit that irradiates the sheet with long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region; and A radiation image erasing apparatus, comprising: a light shielding means for blocking the UV-containing light from being incident on an area irradiated with the long-wavelength light after the irradiation with the UV-containing light. 2. The UV-containing light irradiating section and the long-wavelength light irradiating section are arranged side by side in a direction in which the sheet extends, and are arranged so as to face the sheet. 2. The radiation image erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation image erasing apparatus comprises a light shielding member located between the long wavelength light irradiation section and extending toward the sheet. 3. A radiation image erasing device for erasing a radiation image stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image by irradiating light to the stimulable phosphor sheet, comprising a wavelength component in a UV region. Irradiating the sheet with UV-containing light containing
A V-containing light irradiating unit, and a long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region disposed on the sheet side of the light source and irradiating the sheet with long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region. A long-wavelength light irradiator provided with a short-wavelength cut filter that transmits only the light, wherein the UV-containing light irradiator and the longer-wavelength light irradiator are arranged in order in the extending direction of the sheet and face the sheet. A radiation image erasing apparatus, wherein the light source of the UV-containing light irradiating unit is located farther from the sheet than the light source of the long-wavelength light irradiating unit. 4. A radiation image erasing apparatus for erasing a radiation image stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image by irradiating light to the stimulable phosphor sheet, comprising a wavelength component in a UV region. A UV-containing light irradiating unit that irradiates the sheet with UV-containing light including: a long-wavelength light irradiating unit that irradiates the sheet with long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region; The containing light irradiating unit and the long wavelength light irradiating unit are arranged in order in a direction in which the sheet extends, and are disposed so as to face the sheet. Between the UV containing light irradiating unit and the sheet, the UV
A radiation image erasing apparatus, comprising a condensing means for condensing the contained light and irradiating the sheet with the light. 5. A radiation image erasing apparatus for erasing a radiation image stored and recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing and recording a radiation image by irradiating light to the stimulable phosphor sheet, comprising a wavelength component in a UV region. Irradiating the sheet with UV-containing light containing
A V-containing light irradiating unit, and a long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region disposed on the sheet side of the light source and irradiating the sheet with long-wavelength light having a longer wavelength component than the UV region. A long-wavelength light irradiator provided with a short-wavelength cut filter that transmits only the light, wherein the UV-containing light irradiator and the longer-wavelength light irradiator are arranged in order in the extending direction of the sheet and face the sheet. The light source of the UV-containing light irradiating unit is disposed farther from the sheet than the light source of the long-wavelength light irradiating unit, and the UV is disposed between the UV-containing light irradiating unit and the sheet.
A radiation image erasing apparatus comprising a light condensing means for condensing the contained light and irradiating the sheet with the light.