The PSP plate is erased.

• A. All of the above
• B. Only by light exposure
• C. Only by electrical discharge
• D. Never erased

Answer: (A)

PSP plates store the radiographic image as trapped electrons in the phosphor. Erasing the plate means clearing those trapped charges so the plate is ready for a new exposure. Exposing the plate to intense white light provides enough energy to release the trapped electrons, effectively resetting the plate. Some erasure systems also use an electrical discharge step, applying a strong, uniform electric field to neutralize the residual charges and reset the plate. Since either method can remove the latent image, the plate can be erased; claiming it can never be erased isn’t accurate, and limiting erasure to only light exposure ignores the electrical-discharge option.