How does increasing filtration thickness affect the quality of the x-ray beam?

How does increasing filtration thickness affect the quality of the x-ray beam?

• A. decreased quality
• B. no change in quality
• C. increased quality
• D. variable with beam energy

Answer: (C)

Beam quality is about the penetrating power of the X-ray beam, which corresponds to the average energy of the photons. Increasing filtration thickness removes more of the low-energy (soft) photons from the spectrum. Those soft photons contribute little to image formation but increase patient dose, so their removal leaves a beam comprised of higher-energy photons. This makes the beam more penetrating, which we describe as increased quality, and it is reflected by a higher half-value layer. Keep in mind that while quality goes up, the total number of photons reaching the image receptor decreases, so exposure adjustments may be needed.

Beam quality is about the penetrating power of the X-ray beam, which corresponds to the average energy of the photons. Increasing filtration thickness removes more of the low-energy (soft) photons from the spectrum. Those soft photons contribute little to image formation but increase patient dose, so their removal leaves a beam comprised of higher-energy photons. This makes the beam more penetrating, which we describe as increased quality, and it is reflected by a higher half-value layer. Keep in mind that while quality goes up, the total number of photons reaching the image receptor decreases, so exposure adjustments may be needed.