A radiation image information recording/reading apparatus for detecting phosphorescent
light from a side opposite of radiation irradiation on a stimulable phosphor sheet
is downsized. The radiation image information recording/reading apparatus comprises
an image recording unit for recording radiation image information on the sheet
by irradiating the radiation representing image information on the sheet, an excitation
light main scan means for main scan of the sheet by excitation light, photoelectric
detection means for detecting the phosphorescent light emitted from the sheet,
vertical scan means, and erasing means for releasing residual energy from the sheet
prior to recording another image on the sheet after reading the information from
the sheet. In the apparatus, the excitation light main scan means comprises a linear
light source emitting the excitation light in the form of fan beams, and the photoelectric
detection means comprises a line sensor.