What principle underlies the functioning of phosphor plate receptors?

The principle that underlies the functioning of phosphor plate receptors is that they store the image on a phosphor plate that is scanned by a laser. When X-rays interact with the phosphor material in the plate, the energy from the radiation is absorbed and stored as a latent image. This latent image is not visible until the plate is processed. During processing, the phosphor plate is scanned by a laser, which releases the stored energy in the form of light. This emitted light is then captured by a sensor, creating a visible image that can be processed and viewed.

This technology allows for digital radiography as it retains the benefits of conventional film while being capable of rapid image retrieval and manipulation. The ability to store and later retrieve the information electronically is a significant advancement in dental imaging.