Radiographic image formation

and image factors

• Radiographic terms and factors for consideration in the
radiographic image and when making a radiographic image:

• Definition: in radiography definition in the image is

concerned with the sharpness of the outline of the image.
This is directly affected by Ug (geometric unsharpness), the
resolution capabilities of film (or detection medium) and the
radiation energy levels. Resolution (smallest change, detail
recorded) capabilities are a function of the film, and
geometric unsharpness which depends on film screen
contact, source size, distances of source and object related
to film and object. These form what will later be discussed-
sensitivity of the exposure to produce an acceptable
radiograph.
• Film Latitude: a single film exposure can cover a range
of useful film densities –ranges of specimen thicknesses
viewable in the image where sensitivity and
interpretability are accurate and valid. The thickness
range that corresponds to the useful densities viewed in
the image is called the latitude of the exposure.
Latitude depends on the film contrast and on the
attenuation of the material (with consideration of
radiation energy levels). Therefore under the right
conditions the higher the KeV of radiation the more
penetration through varied thicknesses.
• Generally -A high contrast image has little latitude. A
low contrast image has a wide latitude
• Contrast: is the difference in densities (the degree of
darkening in the image-on the film) between two
areas on a radiograph. The difference in brightness
of the image when viewed with an illuminator (light).

• Function of contrast is to make detail more clearly

visible. This is a product of two factors:
• Film contrast: type of film construction and
developing/processing of film/radiographic image.
The slope of the films characteristic curve.
• Subject/specimen/object contrast: function of
differential absorption of radiation by object.
• Graininess: all films or mediums to record an
image have microscope grains. In film these are
the silver halide crystals. The clumping of the
grains and size of the grains produces the
subjective impression of graininess. As the
penetrating power of radiation increases the
graininess of all film increases. The use of
intensifying screens has no significant affect on
film graininess. Grain affects sensitivity, definition,
resolution.
• Halation refers to poor definition of the image due
to large gain size of the film.
• Radiographic sensitivity: refers to the size of the smallest
detail that can be seen in a radiograph or detected. It
depends upon radiographic contrast and definition.
• Note that sensitivity is the condition used and specified
in radiographic specifications and techniques to produce
the appropriate image for evaluation of a specimen.
Verified by Image quality indicators

• IQI (image quality indicators) are used to check this on

each radiographic exposure and image produced to
provide evidence that radiographic examination was
conducted under the proper conditions.
Fig.1 from ASTM E94