What refers to the movement of the laser beam across the CR imaging plate during the reading process?

The term that describes the movement of the laser beam across the computed radiography (CR) imaging plate during the reading process is known as "fast scan." In the context of CR systems, the "fast scan" refers to the rapid movement of the laser beam as it sweeps across the imaging plate in a transverse direction. This scanning pattern is essential for efficiently reading the stored image data from the plate.

During the readout process, the imaging plate is moved slowly through the scanner while the laser scans quickly back and forth across the plate to extract the information captured during exposure. This combination allows for effective retrieval of the stored radiographic data. Understanding these scanning movements is important for grasping how CR systems operate and ultimately impacts image quality and processing speed.

Other scanning methods, such as "slow scan," do not define the lateral movement of the laser but rather refer to the movement of the imaging plate itself as it is transported through the system. This distinction is critical for understanding the dual aspects of the scanning process in CR technology.