EFFECTS OF THE CHOICE

OF FILM/INTENSIFYING
SCREEN ON RADIOGRAPH
KONDWANI SEMU & GROLIA BANDA
Objectives
1. Define key terms related to film/intensifying screens
(IS)
2. List types of films and intensifying screens
3. Brief explanation how film and IS works in
radiography
4. List factors that influence the choice of film and IS
5. Describe effects of choice of film and IS on radiograph
6. What happens when if fast intensifying screen is used
with slow film and vice versa
Key terms
• Speed
• Contrast
• Resolution
• Graininess
Types of films used in radiography

1. Light-sensitive film (x-ray screen-type film)

• silver halide emulsion reacts to light emitted
from a phosphorescent screen
2. X-ray sensitive film (direct-exposure film)
• silver halide emulsion is is exposed directly to
radiation
Types of intensifying screens used in
radiography
• Calcium Tungstate (CaWO4) Screens
• Rare Earth (Lanthanide) Screens
• Dual-Coated Screens
• Structured Phosphor Screens
• High-Definition Screens
How intensifying screen works
1. Excitation
• X-ray photons interact with the atoms in the fluorescent material of the intensifying screen.
• This interaction causes the electrons in the atoms to become excited and move to higher
energy levels.
2. Fluorescence
• Excited electrons in the fluorescent material eventually return to their original, lower
energy levels.
• As they do so, they release excess energy in the form of light energy, a process called
fluorescence.
• The emitted light from fluorescence interacts with the silver halide crystals in the film to
produce a latent image that can be developed into a visible image
How does x-ray film works
• Photochemical reaction
• AgBr + photon of light → Ag + Br- + e-
• Chemical reduction
• e- + AgBr → Ag + Br-
• Formation of latent image on the image
• Ag+ + e- → Ag (reduction)
How does x-ray film works ctd
• Formation of silver developer
• Ag + developer solution → Ag(Developer)
• Formation of visible image
• Ag(Developer) + e- → Ag + Developer
List factors that influence the choice of film
and IS
• The desired level of image quality and detail
• For example, higher-resolution film or IS may be needed for fine details, while lower-
resolution options may be sufficient for larger objects.
• The size and shape of the object being imaged
• For example, larger objects may require larger film or IS to capture the entire image, while
irregularly-shaped objects may require specialized equipment or techniques to ensure even
exposure.
• The thickness and density of the object being imaged
• The thickness and density of the object being imaged can affect the amount of radiation
that passes through it and reaches the film or IS. Thicker or denser objects may require
more sensitive film or higher-intensity IS to produce a clear image.
• The desired exposure time and overall speed of the imaging process
• Faster film or IS may be needed for shorter exposure times or to capture moving objects,
while slower options may be sufficient for stationary objects or longer exposures.
Effects of choice of film-intensifying screen
combination on the radiograph
1. Image sharpness
2. Speed
3. Contrast
4. Sensitivity
5. Artifacts
Speed
• Two factors affect image sharpness
• Radiographic sharpness also affect noise
• Motion blur
• Longer exposure time can cause image noise,
amplified by patient movement or other factors.
Image sharpness
• Following factors affect sharpness of the image
according to IS
1. Phosphor size
2. Phosphor distribution
3. Thickness of the screen
4. Screen speed
5. Age of the screen
1. Phosphor size
• Effect on Resolving Power
• Smaller phosphors produce higher spatial resolution and
sharper images with more detail due higher packing
density
• Effect on Image Quality
• Larger phosphors produce lower spatial resolution and
less sharp images due to lower packing density
2.Phosphor distribution
• Effect on Resolving Power
• Structured screens with a defined pattern of
phosphors produce higher sharpness and more
detail
• Effect on Image Quality
• Unstructured screens with a more random
distribution of phosphors produce lower sharpness
and reduced detail
3.Thickness of the IS
• Thicker IS
• decreased spatial resolution and decreased image
sharpness due to increased light diffusion and scattering.
• Thinner IS
• improve spatial resolution and image sharpness by
allowing more light photons to reach their intended areas
on the film.
 4.Screen speed
Intensifying Screen Speed Effect on Image Sharpness

Faster (larger phosphor Decreased sharpness due to

crystals, higher activator increased light diffusion and
concentration) scatter

Slower (smaller phosphor Improved sharpness due to

crystals, lower activator reduced light diffusion and
concentration) scatter