Scientific Graphics

Scientific Graphics

I found Caren D. Potter's article in the Tools & Technology section of the Dec. 7, 1992, issue of The Scientist [page 18] to be an informative introduction to the principal advantages and disadvantages of the various hard-copy output devices available for scientific graphics reproduction. However, the piece failed to mention a major printing modality that is rapidly becoming a cost-effective and efficient means of producing high-definition color output. Dye-sublimation printers create near photographic- quality paper prints and transparencies.

We use a Phaser II SD printer from Tektronix Inc. of Wilsonville, Ore., to reproduce nuclear medicine images either in small quantities for internal distribution or as master copies, in place of traditional "glossies," for delivery to printing services for halftone duplication. Although this particular model handles only standard 8.5 x 11 inch and legal-size papers (and doesn't fully utilize the available surface areas), the results are exceptional. Tektronix...