Computed radiography (CR) uses storage phosphor imaging plates for digital imaging. Absorbed X-ray energy is stored in crystal defects. In read-out the energy is set free as blue photons upon optical stimulation. In the 35 years of CR history, several storage phosphor families were investigated and developed. An explanation is given as to why some materials made it to the commercial stage, while others did not. The photo stimulated luminescence mechanism of the current commercial storage phosphors, BaFBr:Eu²⁺ and CsBr:Eu²⁺ is discussed. The relation between storage phosphor plate physical characteristics and image quality is explained. It is demonstrated that the morphology of the phosphor crystals in the CR imaging plate has a very significant impact on its performance.

The objective of this work is to review and assess the potential of $\mathrm{Mg}{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7$:Ce,Li to fill in the gaps where the need for a new material for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry has been identified. We offer a critical assessment of the operational properties of $\mathrm{Mg}{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7$:Ce,Li for OSL dosimetry, as reviewed in the literature and complemented by measurements of thermoluminescence spectroscopy, sensitivity, thermal stability, lifetime of the luminescence emission, dose response at high doses (>1000 Gy), fading and bleachability. Overall, compared with ${\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3:\mathrm{C}$, for example, $\mathrm{Mg}{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7$:Ce,Li shows a comparable OSL signal intensity following exposure to ionizing radiation, a higher saturation limit (ca 7000 Gy) and a shorter luminescence lifetime (31.5 ns). $\mathrm{Mg}{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7$:Ce,Li is, however, not yet an optimum material for OSL dosimetry, as it exhibits anomalous fading and shallow traps. Further optimization is therefore needed, and possible avenues of investigation encompass gaining a better understanding of the roles of the synthesis route and dopants and of the nature of defects.

The storage phosphor RbBr:Tl⁺ can be grown in needles via vacuum deposition. Thanks to reduced lateral light diffusion thick needle screens still offer acceptable resolution. Due to its low intrinsic X-ray absorption, however, a RbBr:Tl⁺ needle screen does not lead to a better absorption/resolution compromise than a BaFBr_1-xI_x:Eu²⁺ powder screen. CsBr:Eu²⁺ does combine high specific X-ray absorption and the possibility of needle growth. Its blue emission, peaking at 440 nm and near IR stimulation band, with maximum at 685 nm, make it well suited for use in CR systems. Sensitivity and sharpness of a 500 (mu) thick CsBr:Eu²⁺ needle screen were measured in a flying-spot scanner. The number of photostimulated light quanta per absorbed X-ray quantum is higher than for BaFBr_1-xI_x:Eu²⁺. At 70 kVp and 0.5 mm Cu filtration, equal sharpness is obtained for 85% vs. 46% X-ray absorption in BaFBr_1-xI_x:Eu²⁺ screens. DQE was measured at 2.5 (mu) Gy, 70 kVp, and 0.5 mm Cu filtration for a CsBr:Eu²⁺ needle screen in a flying-spot scanner. Up to 3 lp/mm, DQE was 2 times higher than for state-of-the-art CR systems and equal to the DQE claimed for flat panel DR systems, based on a-Si photodiodes combined with a CsI:Tl scintillator layer.

Real time radioluminescence fibre-based detectors were investigated for application in proton, helium, and carbon therapy dosimetry. The Al₂O₃:C probes are made of one single crystal (1 mm) and two droplets of micro powder in two sizes (38 μm and 4 μm) mixed with a water-equivalent binder. The fibres were irradiated behind different thicknesses of solid slabs, and the Bragg curves presented a quenching effect attributed to the nonlinear response of the radioluminescence (RL) signal as a function of linear energy transfer (LET). Experimental data and Monte Carlo simulations were utilised to acquire a quenching correction method, adapted from Birks’ formulation, to restore the linear dose–response for particle therapy beams. The method for quenching correction was applied and yielded the best results for the ‘4 μm’ optical fibre probe, with an agreement at the Bragg peak of 1.4% (160 MeV), and 1.5% (230 MeV) for proton-charged particles; 2.4% (150 MeV/u) for helium-charged particles and of 4.8% (290 MeV/u) and 2.9% (400 MeV/u) for the carbon-charged particles. The most substantial deviations for the ‘4 μm’ optical fibre probe were found at the falloff regions, with ~3% (protons), ~5% (helium) and 6% (carbon).