How storage phosphor screens work

A storage phosphor screen is a film-like sensor designed to trap and store radiation energy in a stable state. BAS Storage Phosphor Screens contain a photostimulable layer of phosphor particles (BaFBr) sandwiched between a protective layer and a support film coated with trace amounts of bivalent europium (Eu2+) as a luminescence center. Particles in the phosphor layer stably absorb ionizing radiation, which is later released as blue-violet light (400nm) upon laser stimulation in a storage phosphorimager system.

Storage phosphor screens are reusable and are not degraded by repeated exposure to laboratory levels of radioactivity. To reuse, simply expose a screen to the extra-bright light of an ImageEraser light box.

Product selection

Three types of BAS Storage Phosphor Screen are available to suit differing applications:

• Multipurpose Standard (MS) screens: Suitable for use with ionizing radiation from isotopes such as ¹⁴C, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³²P, ³⁵S, and ^99mTc. This is the screen of choice for ³²P Northerns and Southerns and ¹²⁵I Western blots and gels.
• Super Resolution (SR) screens: Provide higher resolution where a pixel resolution of 50 μm is required; compatible with storage phosphor imaging systems such as Typhoon FLA 7000, Typhoon FLA 7000 IP, and Typhoon FLA 9500.
• Tritium (TR) screens: Highly sensitive screens constructed without a protective layer, for detection of the weak energy of ³H emissions. Optimal results are obtained when the tritium signal is on the surface of the sample and available to penetrate the screen.