British Journal of Radiology · 1975 · 11 citations · 2 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceOptical MaterialsOpticsRadiation DetectionRadiographic ImagingX-ray DetectionX-ray OpticsAbsorption CoefficientsExposure ReductionExposure Reduction EngineeringInorganic PhosphorsPhosphorsX-ray Attenuation CoefficientsX-ray Imaging Physics
In 1896, Thomas Edison discovered the effectiveness of calcium tungstate as a phosphor for intensifying the X-ray image. Nearly 80 years later, CaWO4 is still the most widely used material for diagnostic X-ray intensifying screens. Within the last few years new phosphors have become available in the U.S.A. (AEC–NASA, 1972).These materials, which are terbium-activated rare earth oxysulphides (e.g. gadolinium and lanthanum oxysulphides), are reported (Buchanan, Finkelstein and Wickershelm, 1972) to have a high X-ray to visible light conversion efficiency and high X-ray absorption coefficients.
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