JPS6216669A - Image information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the titled reader small in size, to reduce the manufacturing cost, and to improve the condensing efficiency by providing a long-sized photomultiplier tube being a photodetecting means, and providing a reflecting optical element for reflecting an optical beam to a sheet side, between this photomultiplier tube and the sheet. CONSTITUTION:Excitation light 1a which has been emitted from an excitation light source 1 is reflected and deflected by a galvanometer mirror 2, made incident on a mirror 13 through a slit 4a of an integral cylinder 4, reflected by this mirror 13 and made incident on an accelerated phosphor sheet 3 from a roughly vertical direction. In this case, the mirror 13 is a dichroic mirror for reflecting light of a wavelength area of the excitation light, and for transmitting the light of a wavelength area of an accelerated luminous light. Accordingly, the accelerated luminous light which has been emitted from a scanning position on the accelerated phosphor sheet 3 transmits through the mirror 13 and made incident on a photomultiplier tube 5, also brought to diffused reflection by the inside surface of the integral cylinder and made incident on the photomultiplier tube 5. Thereafter, said light is converted to an electric signal by the photomultiplier tube 5, brought to suitable processing, and thereafter, displayed or recorded on a CRT, a magnetic tape, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of the Invention) The present invention relates to an image information reading device for reading image information such as radiographic image information, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an image information reading device for reading image information such as radiation image information. Revised light detection means I4;! It is related to.

(Technical violation of the invention and prior art) Conventionally, a light beam such as a laser beam is scanned two-dimensionally on a sheet on which image information is recorded, and the beam light is applied to the fish body on the sheet. Image information in which the image information recorded on the sheet is read by detecting the light (e.g. reflected light, transmitted light, emitted light) containing image information obtained by Reading devices are widely put into practical use.

Such image information reading devices include plate-making scanners, computer and facsimile input devices, etc.
A line image information recording and reproducing system using the stimulable phosphor sheet 1 already proposed by the present applicant (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1983-55
No.-12420, No. 56-11395.

There is a radiation image information reading device used in Fi156-11397 No. 2.

In other words, when a certain type of phosphor is irradiated with radiation (×@, α rays, β rays, γ rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a part of this radiation energy is accumulated in the phosphor, and this fluorescence It is known that when the body is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, phosphors exhibit stimulated luminescence depending on the accumulated energy.
A phosphor exhibiting such properties is called a stimulable phosphor. -The radiation image information reading device uses this stimulable phosphor to record radiation image information of a subject such as a human body on a sheet of stimulable phosphor, and then uses this stimulable phosphor sheet to is scanned with excitation light such as Rede light to generate stimulated luminescent light, and the resulting stimulated luminescent light is read photoelectrically to obtain an image signal.

An example of the radiation image information reading device described above is shown in FIG. 9, and its mechanism will be explained below.

Excitation light 101 of constant strength and ugliness emitted from the excitation light source 101
a is made incident on the galvanometer mirror 102, and the galvanometer mirror 102 causes the galvanometer 4 to
= The stimulable phosphor sheet 103 is deflected by deflecting the laser beam so that it performs main scanning (scanning in the direction of the arrow) in the width direction of the stimulable phosphor sheet 1030 placed below the nometer mirror 102. irradiate. Kijinya phosphor sheet 1
03 is attracted to the endless bell 1 by the device 109 and conveyed in the direction of arrow B, so that the main scanning is repeated at an angle almost perpendicular to this sub-scanning, and the entire surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 103 is covered. Two-dimensional scanning is performed using the excitation light 101a.

The part of the stimulable phosphor sheet irradiated with the excitation light 101a according to the scanning by the excitation light 101a emits stimulated light according to the image information stored there, and this emitted light is transmitted to the stimulable phosphor sheet. Light enters the light condenser 104 from the incident end surface 104a of a transparent light condenser 104, which has an incident end surface 104a formed parallel to the main scanning line in the vicinity.

The light collector 104 has a flat front end 104b located near the stimulable phosphor sheet 103, and gradually becomes cylindrical toward the rear end, and at the rear end 104C. Since it has a substantially cylindrical shape and is coupled to a photomultiplier tube (photomultiplier) 105 provided on the exit end surface 104d, the entrance end surface 1
The stimulated luminescent light entering from 04a is collected at the rear end 104C, and a filter (shown in the figure 1) that selectively transmits the stimulated luminescent light is collected.
! 741 to multiplier 105 via In the photomultiplier 105, the stimulated luminescence light is converted into an electrical signal, and the obtained electrical signal is sent to an image information reading circuit H)fi for processing, and then output as a visible image to, for example, a CRT 107. The data may be recorded on a magnetic tape 1 (l 11), or directly recorded as a hard copy on a photosensitive 14 or the like.

In the above-mentioned apparatus, the photodetecting means for detecting the stimulated luminescence light consists of the 4-tone double-ply V7-105 and the condenser 104, but the LJ is installed in the conventional apparatus. The condenser collects the stimulated luminescent light input from the incident end surface 104a arranged along the scanning line.
As a result, the light is transmitted to the phytomultiplier 1, which has a small width in the main scanning direction.As shown in the figure, a large 6 is used. There is a problem.

In addition, the light concentrator described in 1 is made of a light-guiding sheet-like member such as an acrylic plate, with one end corresponding to the incident end surface aligned in a straight line and the other end corresponding to the exit end surface aligned with the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier ear. Deformed into a shape (e.g. cylindrical)! Since it is made in one step, the processing cost is high, and there is also the problem that the production of the device = 1 step. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the stimulated luminescence light that is transmitted through total reflection inside a large condenser may pass through the condenser without being totally reflected at an angle. There is also a problem in light collection efficiency due to the large light collection weight as described in Section 1.

(Objective of the Invention) In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is designed to detect light emitted from a sheet without using a large and complex-shaped light condenser. 1-i A. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image information reading device that can be miniaturized, reduce manufacturing costs, and greatly improve light collection efficiency. It is.

1/- (Structure of the Invention) The image information reading device of the present invention includes the above-described main scanning means, sub-scanning means, and light detection means for detecting light emitted from the sheet. The detection means includes a long photomultiplier tube having a light-receiving surface extending parallel to the sheet above the main scanning line and disposed close to the sheet, and the photomultiplier tube. A reflective optical element is provided which reflects a light beam incident from between the multiplier tube and the sheet below the light-receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube and causes it to enter the sheet from a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet!1QI
It is said that being given a special offer is a special benefit. More preferably, the photodetection means includes a slit extending in the main scanning direction, which positions the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube on its inner surface and allows the light beam to pass therethrough, and the main scanning line on the sheet. It is equipped with an integrating tube which has an opening of -1 part on a part.

In other words, in the reading device of the present invention, a long photomultiplier tube is prepared and placed close to the sheet as described above, so that it is possible to read a photomultiplier tube that is human-shaped and has a complicated shape as in the past. Light emitted from the sea 1, such as stimulated luminescence light, can be made to enter the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube without using a light condenser. Furthermore, the light-receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube is located on the F side of the main scanning line, and a reflective optical element is provided that directs the light beam into the sheet from a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet, thereby making the device more compact. Furthermore, the light containing image information emitted from the sheet can be efficiently focused. Furthermore, the above integrating tube is installed LJ 1. −
In this case, the back of the light emitted from the scanning position travels in the direction of the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube, and the light that is not there can be diffusely reflected on the inner surface of the integrating tube and incident on the light receiving surface. It is possible to increase the light collection efficiency of the exposed area. Note that this integrating tube is a cylindrical member that has optical characteristics similar to the integrating sphere used as a part of the spherical luminous flux, and the light that enters the cylinder is repeatedly diffused and reflected by the inner surface of the cylinder. The light is made incident on the light-receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube.

The elongated photomultiplier tube in the present invention is one whose light-receiving surface is provided along the main scanning line and is shaped so that the light emitted from the scanning position can be detected at any position in the main scanning direction. means 1. It is particularly preferable that the light-receiving surface of this long photomultiplier tube be equal to or greater than the reading scanning width of Sheet-F81, but it may be slightly shorter than that. Particularly when placing a thin light condenser on the light receiving surface, as in the case of
Efficient light detection is possible even if the length of the light receiving surface is somewhat shorter than the reading scanning width on the sheet. Furthermore, placing the photomultiplier tube close to the sheet means that the photomultiplier tube is placed close to the sheet i~ so that the light emitted from the scanning position is directly and efficiently incident on the light receiving surface. In addition to positioning the light receiving surface! In order to be able to install a filter or a very small concentrator at
- There is also something that is a little further away from the sheet than the G-7 symbol, which also contradicts the meaning. Furthermore, when the light-receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube is located on the inner surface of the integrating tube, in addition to positioning the photomultiplier tube so that the light-receiving surface is on the same plane as the inner surface, the filter and/or placing the photomultiplier tube in an integrating tube through a light condenser, positioning the photomultiplier tube so that the light-receiving surface is near the inner surface of the integrating tube. .

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an H-ray image information reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1 in the vicinity of a scanning position.

The excitation light 1a emitted from the excitation light source 1 enters the galvanometer mirror 2, is deflected by +31, passes through the slit 4a of the integrating cylinder 4, which will be described later, and enters the mirror 13 shown in FIG. The reflected light is incident on the stimulable phosphor sheet 3, which is conveyed in the direction of arrow B by the endless bell 1 to device 9, which is a sub-scanning means, from a direction substantially perpendicular to the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is Phosphor sheet l-
Main scan in the direction of the arrow. The mirror 13 is a dichroic mirror that reflects light in the wavelength range of excitation light and transmits light in the wavelength range of stimulated luminescence light, which will be described later. Stimulable phosphor sheet 3 irradiated with excitation light 1a
The upper scanning position emits stimulated light according to the image information stored there. In the apparatus of the present invention, a long photomultiplier tube (
A photomultiply A7-)5 is provided. Note that instead of the mirror 13, a reflective optical element such as a prism may be used.

The light receiving surface 52 of the first multiplier 5 is disposed above the main scanning line and parallel to the stimulable phosphor sheet 3 along the main scanning line. Previous) Tree-like excitation light 1
The light a is made to enter the stimulable phosphor sheet 3 from a substantially perpendicular direction by the mirror 13, and since the light receiving surface 52 of the photomultiplier is arranged above the main scanning line, the directionality can be determined from the scanning position. The stimulated luminescent light emitted without any interference can efficiently enter the light-receiving surface 52. Note that the photomultiplier is particularly preferably provided with a light-receiving surface 52.
The quality is better than the reading scanning width of 30 sheets.

Furthermore, since the mirror 13 is a dichroic mirror as described in 1., there is no fear that the stimulated luminescence light will be blocked by the mirror 13 and the light collection efficiency will be reduced. The stimulated luminescent light is converted into an electrical signal in the photomultiplier 5, and the obtained electrical signal is sent to an image information reading circuit (not shown) for processing, and then outputted as a visible image on a CRT. recorded on magnetic tape.

Conventional photomultipliers are generally divided into several types depending on the structure of the electrodes in the multiplier part provided inside that multiplies a minute photocurrent to an appropriate level, but the long photomultiplier of the present invention The pliers are these various 7-
It can be created by extending A1 to multiply A7- in a direction perpendicular to its side surface. Figure 3 (
The photomultiplier 1-5 used in the present invention shown in Δ) and (B) has an electrode structure generally called a box shape. This photomultiplier 5 is provided with a photocathode (photocathode) 53 that emits photoelectrons and faces a long light-receiving surface 52 in a main body 51 that is made of glass or the like and has a vacuum inside.
3. A plurality of (13 in this embodiment) quarter-cylindrical electrodes (dynodes) 54 to 6 having a secondary electron emission effect are provided below.
A multiplication unit 67 in which 6 is combined is provided. A shield electrode 68 is provided opposite to the dynode 66 at the bottom end of the multiplier 67, and an anode 69 is further disposed within the shield electrode 68 to collect the electron flow multiplied in the multiplier and take it out as a signal. has been done.

Each of these electrodes is connected to each terminal of the terminal group 10 whose number corresponds to the number of electrodes arranged in stages on the side opposite to the light-receiving surface 52.
They are electrically connected in correspondence with one another.

Note that the dynodes 53 to 65 and the shield electrode 66
is fixedly held within the main body 51 by a support member 71 made of an insulator.

Figure 4 shows an electric circuit 80 for driving the photomultiply A7-5 and extracting the photoelectric output, and parts corresponding to the valleys of the photomultiply A7-5 are given the same reference numerals. . A negative high voltage 1111 is applied to the photocathode 53 via the pressure applying element 81 1a81i.

Further, the negative high voltage applied to the angular pressure application terminal 81 is divided by the bleeder resistor group 82 and applied to the dynodes 53 to 65.
are applied to each. Further, the shield electrode 68 is grounded, and the anode 69 is grounded via a resistor 83 and is input to one terminal of an amplifier 84. The other terminal of the amplifier 54 is grounded and the output terminal 85J
:The photoelectrically converted image information is extracted as an electrical signal.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show another photomultiplier 15 used in the present invention, which has an electrode structure generally called the Venetian blind type. The multiplier 15 has a main body 151
has a cylindrical shape, and the main body 1 faces the light receiving surface 152.
A photocathode 153 is provided along the T I
It is fixed with a twisting bottle 113 to constitute a multiplier 167. The dynodes 154 to 166 each have a large number of opening-shaped cuts in a single conductive plate and are bent to form a blind shape. This multiplier 1
A shield electrode 1 is provided below the electrode 67 via an insulating member 172.
68 is fixed with a bottle 113, and an anode 169 is provided within the shield electrode 168. These electrodes are electrically connected to a terminal group 170 provided at the side end of the main body 151, similar to the photomultiplier 5 shown in FIG. Incidentally, the photoelectric output may be taken out by using exactly the same circuit as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, the long photomultiplier used in the present invention may include a multiplication section made of other types of electrodes known in the art or a multiplication section made of a plurality of types of electrodes interwoven. It can be created by extending a photomultiplier.

Furthermore, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the integrating cylinder 4 has the light receiving surface 52 of the photomultiplier located on the inner surface.
is provided so as to extend in the main scanning direction integrally with the multiplier 5. This integral WJ will be explained with reference to FIG. 2 above.

The integrating cylinder 4 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, for example, and extends in the main scanning direction at its end.
A slit 4a is provided to allow the passage of the slit 4a, and its lower end opens at a portion of the sheet 3 that includes the main scanning line, forming an opening 41). The mirror 13 is arranged inside this integrating cylinder 4. The inner surface 4C of the integrating cylinder 4 is coated with a white paint having a high diffuse reflectance, and the back of the stimulated luminescence light emitted from the scanning position of the excitation light on the sheet.
Light that does not directly enter the light-receiving surface 52 is repeatedly diffusely reflected on the inner surface of the integrating cylinder and is made to enter the light-receiving surface 52.

Therefore, by providing this integrating tube, in the apparatus of the present invention, the efficiency of collecting stimulated luminescence light can be greatly increased. In order to efficiently make the stimulated luminescence light enter the light receiving surface using the integrating tube, it is desirable that the slit 4a be made as narrow as possible, and that the entire integrating tube be arranged as close to the sheet as possible. Further, the integrating tube may be formed into a substantially full cylindrical shape with the opening 4b having a slit shape as shown in FIG. 6. If formed in this way, more accurate image information can be read. . However, a part of the excitation light 1a incident on the sheet 3 is absorbed by the sheet t~!
A part of this reflected light 1b is further reflected by the light-receiving surface 52, etc., as shown by the broken line in FIG. Excite that part to emit photostimulated light /II! - If the integrating cylinder 5 is installed in a substantially cylindrical shape, the reflected light as described above will be blocked by the wall surface of the integrating cylinder and will not reach the part of the sheet F other than the scanning position. This eliminates the inconvenience of exciting parts of the sheet other than the scanning position.Furthermore, image information is recorded on the sheet 3 prior to reading the image information as described above. When radiation is irradiated for this reason, an instantaneous luminescent light is generated from the entire surface of the C. It is known that the sheet continues to emit light from the sea urchin, and for this reason, if the sheet being read by the reader is still intact even after being irradiated with radiation, it is necessary to An afterglow 1C of instantaneous luminescent light is emitted from the part.This afterglow 1C of stimulated luminescent light is a photomultiplier.
If you can answer step 5, you can accurately detect stimulated luminescence.
t <<'C, 1 [1] The reproduced image is inaccurate.
I like it. In addition, the stimulated luminescent light generated by the excitation light irradiation 04 also continues to emit light as an afterglow even after the scanning of the refracted light 111 is completed, and the afterglow of the stimulated luminescent light is emitted from the part of the sheet where reading has been completed. 1 (1) is occurring.The intensity level of the afterglow of this stimulated luminescent light varies depending on the type of stimulable phosphor used in the sheet, but if the afterglow intensity 1 novel is relatively high, If this afterglow is transmitted to the photomultiply A7-, it will have an adverse effect on the reading of the image information.Therefore, as described above, the opening 4b is formed into a slit shape, and this opening is arranged in three scanning lines. Then, the afterglow is blocked by the wall surface of the integrating tube and is prevented from entering the photomultiplier 5, so that accurate image information can be read.

In this way, the reading device of the present embodiment has an elongated (A1) multiplier whose light-receiving surface is arranged along the main scanning line and is disposed close to the sheet 1-, which makes it possible to improve the reading device compared to conventionally used multipliers. In addition, it eliminates the need for a light condenser that has a large and complicated shape and is expensive to manufacture, making it possible to downsize the entire device and reduce manufacturing costs. The resulting scanning position and the light-receiving surface are close to each other, and most of the stimulated luminescence light is directly incident on the light-receiving surface, so the light collection efficiency can be increased compared to the case where the stimulated luminescence light is transmitted by a condenser. If the above-mentioned integrating tube is provided integrally with the photomultiplier and a part of the stimulated luminescent light is made incident on the light receiving surface by the integrating tube, the incidence efficiency of the stimulated luminescent light can be further improved. Further, the light-receiving surface is disposed above the main scanning line in parallel with the sheet, and the excitation light is directed toward the sheet from a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet in a direction of 1-1!-L. By doing this, it is possible to efficiently collect the stimulated luminescence light emitted from the scanning position in a three-dimensional direction, and by providing a mirror in the integrating tube, the excitation light can be collected as shown in Fig. 2. Since 1a can be reflected and deflected in a direction parallel to the sheet by a galvanometer mirror, it is also possible to downsize the entire apparatus in the vertical direction.

By the way, in the radiation image information reading device mentioned in b) above of the image information reading device 4, it is particularly necessary to efficiently collect the stimulated luminescent light, which is the light emitted from the photostimulated ti + phosphor sheet. be done. Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the excitation light is incident on the stimulable phosphor sheet, part of it is reflected by the stimulable phosphor sheet. 1. The photomultiplier may reach the light-receiving surface of the multiplier, so it is necessary to ensure that the photomultiplier correctly detects only the stimulated luminescence light and makes it difficult to detect the reflected light of the excitation light. Therefore, the long photomultiply V- in the radiation image information reading device has a light condenser with a very small thickness on its light receiving surface 1-, and/or selectively transmits only light in the wavelength range of stimulated luminescence light. It is preferable to provide a filter that allows A specific example of a photomultiplier in which the light condenser and filter are provided on the light receiving surface is shown in the seventh section.
As shown in the figure.

FIG. 7(a) shows a photomultiplier 1 whose light-receiving surface is flat, for example, a film 10 is provided on the light-receiving surface 52 of the box-shaped photomultiplier 5 shown in FIG. -! 2 shows an example in which a plate-shaped light condenser 11 made of acrylic or the like is provided. As shown in the figure, the condenser 11 used in the IAM of the present invention is extremely thin and has a single shape! ! Since it is an i<> thing,
There is no risk of causing problems such as increasing the size of devices such as conventional light condensers and manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the f☆ positions of the filter 10 and the condenser 11 may be interchanged as shown in FIG. 7(b). Furthermore, Figure 7 (C)
As shown in FIG.
1' is colored to selectively transmit only light in the wavelength range of stimulated luminescence light and absorb light in the wavelength range of excitation light, and the condenser 11' also has a filter function. It may be possible to do so. Figure 7(d), (e) and <r>
For example, a filter 10 and a condenser 11 are similarly provided on the light receiving surface 1521 of the Venetian blind type photomultiplier 15 shown in FIG. Each embodiment is shown. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7(f), the filter 10
If the thickness of the filter 10' differs depending on the order of magnitude, in order to make the characteristics of the filter uniform, m1 of the entire filter 10' is adjusted so that the a degree of the filter 10' is lower in the thick part.
All you have to do is change the distribution. Also photo multiply A7
- Either the above filter or condenser is placed on the light receiving surface of -.
It's okay to set h.

Furthermore, if the width of the photomultiply A7- in the main scanning direction is somewhat shorter than the reading scanning width on the stimulable phosphor sheet 3, the light condenser 11' is photomultiplyed as shown in FIG. The sheet 3 is configured to spread from the light-receiving surface 52 of the pliers 5 toward the stimulable phosphor sheet 3.
- The stimulated luminescence light from the entire reading scanning width may be efficiently guided to the light receiving surface 52 of the photomultiplier 5.

In addition, the integrating tube 4 described above allows not only the stimulated luminescence light but also the reflected light of the excitation light to enter the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier. By applying a color that reflects light in the wavelength range of the emitted light and absorbs light in the wavelength range of the excitation light, the influence of the reflected light of the excitation light can be further reduced.

Furthermore, in the device of the present invention, by making the multiplier 741 long, it is possible to prevent light from entering the photomultiplier from a portion outside the first pass of its light receiving surface, or when a filter is provided. If light that does not pass through the filter falls on a person 11, this light will cause noise in the reproduced image, which is undesirable. Therefore, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 7(b), the photomultiplier 5 is connected to the light-shielding case 1.
2 prevents the above-mentioned light from entering the 7-automatic multiply AI-, so that image information can be read more accurately. The illustrated photomultiplier has a light condenser 11 on the light receiving surface 52 and a filter 1o on the incident end surface 1ia-t of the light condenser. The filter 10 on the surface other than the surface and the condenser 11
The surface that is not in contact with the light may be covered with a light-shielding case.

In addition, the photomultiplier is easily influenced by an external magnetic field (there is a disadvantage that the increase rate of the photocurrent decreases significantly when it is influenced by a magnetic field. Since the Multi-Brief 1 Fu is long, its structure and overall device design are different from the conventional 74.
It is conceivable that the magnetic field is more likely to affect the magnetic field than the multiplier.

Therefore, it is more preferable that the light-shielding case 12 is made of permalloy or the like and also has the function of a magnetic shielding case.

The apparatus of the present invention has been described above using a radiation image information reading apparatus using a stimulable phosphor sheet as an example.
The present invention may be applied to an image information reading device other than the radiation image information reading device described above, and it goes without saying that effects such as miniaturization of the device and improvement of light collection efficiency can be achieved in any device. Mui.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the image information reading device of the present invention, by providing a long photo multiplier close to the sheet, it is possible to avoid the conventional large-sized and complicated-shaped collection. The light emitted from the sea 1- can be detected without using a light body. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the overall size of one film and reduce manufacturing costs, and it is also possible to improve the efficiency of condensing light emitted from the sheet. In addition, an integrating cylinder is provided to diffusely reflect the light emitted from the sheet so that it enters the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier, and the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier is arranged parallel to the sheet along the main scanning line. By making the light beam enter the sheet from a direction perpendicular to the sheet using the mirror, the light emitted from the sheet can be collected more efficiently.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of the radiation image information reading jaw according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a portion of the reading device shown in FIG. 1 near the integrating tube, and FIG. A> is a perspective view of a long box-shaped photomultiply A7 used in the li!i arrangement of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line T-T from the side of No. 3 (B), Fig. 4 is a drive circuit diagram of the photomultiply V shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 (A> is a cross-sectional view of the photomultiply V shown in Fig. 3). A perspective view showing a long Venetian blind type photomultiplier used, FIG. 5 (II) is a sectional view taken along the line ■-■, and FIG. 6 is an integrating tube of a reading device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Indicates the vicinity 1
A side view, FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams showing a photomultiply A7 in which a filter and a condenser are provided on the light-receiving surface, and FIG. 9 is an overview of a conventional M-ray image information reading device. FIG. 1a...Excitation light 3...Stimulable phosphor sheet 4...Integrator tube 4a...S
Lit 4b...Width section 5.15...Photomultiplier tube (photomultiplier) 52, 152...Light receiving surface 10...Filter Fig. 6 Fig. 7 (a) ) (b) (c) (d
)(e)(f) 'iig 81ffl

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) Main scanning means for main-scanning a sheet on which image information is recorded with a light beam and generating light containing the image information from the sheet; In an image information reading device, the image information reading device includes a sub-scanning unit that performs sub-scanning by moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main-scanning direction, and a photo-detecting unit that detects light emitted from the sheet. a long photomultiplier tube having a light-receiving surface extending parallel to the sheet along the main scanning line above the line and disposed close to the sheet; and between the photomultiplier tube and the sheet. An image information reading device comprising a reflective optical element that reflects a light beam incident from below the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube and causes the light beam to enter the sheet from a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet. 2) The photodetector has a light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube located on the inner surface thereof, a slit extending in the main scanning direction that allows the light beam to pass through, and a portion of the sheet that includes the main scanning line. 2. The image information reading device according to claim 1, further comprising an integrating cylinder having an opening. 3) The sheet is a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is accumulated and recorded, and the light beam emits stimulable luminescent light according to the image information accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet. 3. The image information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the photodetecting means detects the stimulated luminescent light. 4) The photodetecting means is arranged such that the light is incident on the light-receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube, facing the filter and/or the photostimulable phosphor sheet that selectively transmits light in the wavelength range of the stimulated luminescence light. 4. The image information reading device according to claim 3, further comprising a light condenser that allows the stimulated luminescence light to enter from an end face and guides it to the light receiving surface. 5) The reflective optical element is a dichroic mirror that reflects light in the wavelength range of the excitation light and transmits light in the wavelength range of the stimulated emission light. The image information reading device according to item 4.