Radiation information recording and reading method and device

Radiation rays transmitting object or radiation rays emitted from a material to be tested are irradiated to a radiation information recording medium containing a material which forms a color center by irradiation of radiation rays by coloring the recording medium to record radiation information. Further, a light having a wavelength within a range of the absorption region owned by the color center is irradiated, to read radiation information by optoelectrically detecting the light reflected from the recording medium. Although the reading speed (image forming speed) is limited by a time constant of the light detector, remarkable improvement of image forming speed can be attained compared with a conventional method which utilizes photoluminescence of a photoluminescent material. Further, it can be utilized irrespective of the amount of photoluminescence or photoluminescent response characteristics. In addition, laser beams had to be taken into consideration in the prior art but it is no more necessary to separate the reading laser beams and reflecting lights, thereby enabling to simplify the device. (N.H.)