Patent ID: 7420197

Claim:
A radiation image detection method using a radiation image detector, wherein the radiation image detector includes an up-conversion phosphor layer, a first electrode layer, a photoconductive layer for recording, a charge storage portion, a photoconductive layer for readout and a second electrode layer, and wherein the up-conversion phosphor layer emits fluorescence with a wavelength shorter than that of infrared light by irradiation with the infrared light, and wherein the first electrode layer transmits the infrared light, the fluorescence and radiation carrying a radiation image, and wherein the photoconductive layer for recording is a layer which transmits the infrared light, and which exhibits conductivity and generates electric charge corresponding to the dose of radiation by irradiation with the radiation transmitted through the first electrode layer, and wherein the charge storage portion stores electric charge generated in the photoconductive layer for recording, and wherein the photoconductive layer for readout is a layer which transmits the infrared light, and which exhibits conductivity by irradiation with readout light, and wherein the second electrode layer transmits the infrared light and the readout light, and wherein the radiation image detector records radiation as latent image charge in the charge storage portion, the method comprising the steps of: reading out the electric charge stored in the charge storage portion by irradiating the photoconductive layer for readout with the readout light from the second electrode layer side of the radiation image detector; irradiating the up-conversion phosphor layer with the infrared light from the second electrode layer side; and erasing remaining charge which is present in the vicinity of the first electrode layer by fluorescence emitted from the up-conversion phosphor layer by irradiation with the infrared light.