What happens when a CR imaging plate is exposed to white light?

What happens when a CR imaging plate is exposed to white light?

• A. The IP is completely exposed and cannot be used
• B. The IP is erased and can be reused
• C. The IP is never exposed to white light, only x-rays
• D. White light has no effect on the IP

Answer: (B)

In CR imaging, the plate holds a latent image by trapping energy in the phosphor after x-ray exposure. White light provides enough energy to release those trapped electrons, erasing the stored image. Once the latent image is erased, the plate is cleared and ready to be reused. That’s why the plate must be protected from ambient light and why an erasure step can occur after scanning. So the effect of white light is to erase the latent image, making the plate reusable.

In CR imaging, the plate holds a latent image by trapping energy in the phosphor after x-ray exposure. White light provides enough energy to release those trapped electrons, erasing the stored image. Once the latent image is erased, the plate is cleared and ready to be reused. That’s why the plate must be protected from ambient light and why an erasure step can occur after scanning. So the effect of white light is to erase the latent image, making the plate reusable.