INTERACTION & ATTENUATION

DR. KISHORE LT & DR. K.R. HARSHVARDHAN

Xray photons interact with matter at atomic level, either with
nucleus or orbital electrons, depending on its energy. These
interactions are (1) Coherent scattering (2) Compton effect (3)
Photoelectric effect (4) Pair production (5) Photodisintegration.
In diagnostic range these xrays interact with orbital electrons
causing ionization. Two interactions which play dominant role in
forming the radiographic image are Compton effect and
photoelectric effect.

COMPTON EFFECT OR COMPTON SCATTERING

Xray photons interact with outer orbital electrons, ejects it from
the atom, thus ionizing the atom. In this interaction xray photon
loses some of its energy in ejecting the electron (now called
Compton or recoil electron) and retains rest of the energy and
moves in different direction (Scattered xrays). These scattered
xrays produce no useful information in the radiograph; rather
they produce fog, a uniform optical density on the radiograph that
results in reduced image contrast. Or in other words, this is an
undesirable interaction. This scattered radiation from patient
during fluoroscopy is the major source of radiation exposure that
radiologic technologist recieves.
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Probability of Compton effect decreases as xray energy increases,

and it does not depend on the atomic number of the atom
involved. Compton effect increases proportionately as the mass
density of absorber increases.

PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT
Xray photon interacts with inner shell electron, xray photon is
completely absorbed, loses all its energy. Ejected electron (now
called photoelectron) escapes with kinetic energy equal to the
difference between energy of incident xray and the blinding
energy of the electron. Thus this is an xray absorption
interaction.
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Probability of photoelectric interaction is directly proportional to

the third power of the atomic number of the atom and is inversely
proportional to the third power of xray energy. Its probability
also increases with increase in mass density of absorber. This
interaction is the major source of radiation exposure to the
patient, as xray photons are completely absorbed. This reaction
produces excellent quality of radiographic image as there is no
scatter.

ATTENUATION
Attenuation is the reduction in the intensity of xray beam passing
through the matter due to absorption (Photoelectric reaction) and
or deflection (Compton scattering). More important than these
two interactions, however, is the xray transmitted through the
body without interaction. Xrays which are either absorbed or
transmitted (Differential absorption) eventually produce the
useful radiographic image. Compton scattering results in fog, a
generalized increased optical density not representing the
diagnostic information. In general, differential absorption (image
quality) increases when atomic number and mass density of
absorber is high and when energy (KVP) of xray beam is low.

Factors affecting
differential absorption

Compton Photeoelectric Transmission

effect effect

Increased xray Decreases Decreases Increases

energy

Increased No change Increases Decreases

tissue atomic
No.

Increased Increases Increases Decreases

tissue mass
density
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Radiographic contrast such as Iodine and Barium use the principle

of differential absorption due to their high atomic numbers
(Iodine 53, Barium 56), causing more photoelectric reactions
leading to more absorption compared to soft tissues, thus
improving the differential absorption, thereby, increasing the
image contrast and quality.
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REFERENCES
Radiologic science for technologists, Stewart Bushong, Mosby,
2001.

Christensen’s Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, Thomas S Curry,

Lea Febiger, 1990.