Storing optical relay for converting x-ray images which comprises an electro-optic material

Claim 2

Storing optical relay arrangement for converting X-ray images, comprising at least one source of X-rays, at least one source of visible light, an optical image relay constituted by at least one evacuated enclosure provided with at least one window transparent to X-rays and one window transparent to the visible radiation, a panel of a material which exhibits electro-optic effects, means for raising the panel to a temperature near its Curie point whereby the panel exhibits birefringence which is variable in accordance with a voltage difference applied between its faces, a transparent conductive layer coated on that face of the panel which faces the transparent window, a dielectric mirror on the other face of the panel, a layer of a photoconductive material sensitive to X-rays on said mirror, and an electrically conductive layer on said photoconductive layer which is transparent to X-rays.

Claim 3

A storing optical relay arrangement for converting X-ray images, comprising a source of X-rays, a source of visible light, an optical image relay constituted with an evacuated enclosure provided with a window transparent to the visible radiation and a window transparent to radiation of a predetermined frequency band, a panel of material which exhibits electro-optic effects, means for maintaining the panel at a temperature near its Curie point, whereby the panel exhibits birefringence which is variable in accordance with a voltage difference applied between its faces, a transparent conductive layer on that face of the panel which faces the window transparent to visible radiation, a dielectric mirror on the other face of the panel, a layer of photoconductive material sensitive to a radiation of said predetermined frequency band on said mirror, an electrically conductive layer on said photoconductive layer that is transparent to radiation of said predetermined frequency band, and a phosphor system means having one side facing the window transparent to said predetermined frequency band and facing the source of X-rays on another side thereof for converting the X-rays from said source into radiation in said predetermined frequency band.

Claim 4

A storing optical relay arrangement for converting X-ray images, comprising a source of X-rays, a source of visible light, an optical image relay constituted with an evacuated enclosure provided with a window transparent to the visible radiation and a window transparent to radiation of a predetermined frequency band, a panel of material which exhibits electro-optic effects, means for maintaining the panel at a temperature near its Curie point, whereby the panel exhibits birefringence which is variable in accordance with a voltage difference applied between its faces, a transparent conductive layer on that face of the panel which faces the window transparent to visible radiation, a dielectric mirror on the other face of the panel, a layer of photoconductive material sensitive to a radiation of said predetermined frequency band on said mirror, an electrically conductive layer on said photoconductive layer that is transparent to radiation of said predetermined frequency band, and a phosphor system means having one side facing the window transparent to said predetermined frequency band and facing the source of X-rays on another side thereof for converting the X-rays from said source into radiation in said predetermined frequency band.

Claim 5

Arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the phosphor is deposited on a light-guide glass-fiber slab disposed between the phosphor and the photoconductive coating at a slight distance from the latter.

Claim 6

Arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said phosphor system means comprises means for converting the X-rays into electrons and means for converting the electrons into radiation in said predetermined frequency band.

Claim 7

Arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means for converting the electrons into radiation comprises a phosphor sensitive to X-rays and a photocathode.

Claim 8

Arrangement as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an electron-optical system including a target and means for reducing the X-rays image substantially to the size of the electro-optic target.

Claim 9

Arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the evacuated enclosure consists of two parts which are evacuated in different degrees and are separated by a window which is transparent to visible light, the less highly evacuated part (vacuum of the order of from 10 4 to 10 5 Torr) containing only the relay part proper, while the more highly evacuated part (vacuum of the order of 10 8 Torr) is used for the conversion of X-rays into electrons, for the electron-optical system and for the conversion of electrons into visible light.

Claim 10

Arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the window through which the two parts of the enclosure which are evacuated in different degrees are in optical communication consists of a slab of optical fibers which is coated at the side of the conversion of X-rays into electrons with the phosphor which enables the electrons to be converted into visible light.

Claim 11

Arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein it consists of an association of an X-ray detector tube and an optical relay the exit and entrance windows of which respectively are each constituted by a slab of optical fibers, the X-ray detector and optical relay each being in separate unconnected envelopes, the X-ray detector tube and the optical relay being disposed in contact with one another.