A new image-plate reader for various sizes and shapes

A new image-plate reader which can read image plates (IPs) having various sizes and shapes has been developed. The machine consists of a rotating laser head to induce luminescence photons from IPs and a porous cylindrical holder made of a composite of cast iron and porous ceramic - so-called `breathnite'. Image plates can be fixed onto the inner surface of the cylindrical holder by evacuating the outer surface through a vacuum chamber with a mechanical pump. Image plates having various shapes and sizes up to 400 × 400 mm can be fixed without covering the open surface on the cylinder. In spite of such flexibility to various applications, the reader produces competitive performances compared with other commercial readers.