What process is involved in indirect conversion in digital radiography?

The process of indirect conversion in digital radiography specifically involves converting X-ray photons to light, which is then transformed into electrical signals. In this method, X-ray photons first interact with a scintillator material, commonly made of materials like cesium iodide or gadolinium oxysulphide. These materials absorb the X-ray photons and emit visible light in response.

This visible light is then detected by a photosensitive layer, typically consisting of a photodiode or a charge-coupled device, which converts the light into electrical signals. These electrical signals can be processed further to create an image, making this method an integral part of modern digital radiography systems.

Understanding this process is crucial for developing effective imaging systems and interpreting their results, as it illustrates the intricate steps involved in converting radiation, which is not directly usable by digital systems, into a format that can be easily analyzed and displayed.