IMAGING AND QUANTITATION OF CHEMILUMINESCENCE USING PHOTOEXCITABLE STORAGE PHOSPHOR SCREEN

A novel storage phosphor (SrS:Ce,Sm) imaging screen optimized for the detection of luminescence has been developed. When coupled with an appropriate scanning system, this screen exhibits the following characteristics: (i) a range of visible light detection between 400 and 500 nm with a peak response at 450 nm; (ii) sensitivity comparable to X-ray film; (iii) 200-mu m resolution; (iv) linear dynamic range greater than four orders of magnitude; and (v) a uniformity of response of +/-1.32% coefficient of variation. These features facilitate the detection and accurate quantitation of light radiation produced from the enzymatic catalysis of chemiluminescent substrates such as 1,2-dioxetanes and luminol. Its suitability for chemiluminescent applications is demonstrated by the analysis of cosmid hybridization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay samples. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.