As the kVp is increased, what happens to the Compton effect?

Increasing the kilovolt peak (kVp) in radiographic imaging affects how photons interact with matter. Specifically, when kVp is increased, the energy of the x-ray photons is also increased. This increase in photon energy intensifies the Compton effect, which is a type of scattering that occurs when x-ray photons collide with loosely bound outer electrons in atoms.

As the energy of the x-ray photons rises, the likelihood of Compton scattering occurring increases. This is because higher-energy photons are more capable of interacting with electrons, resulting in an increase in the number of scattered photons. Consequently, there is a higher proportion of scattered radiation relative to the total radiation produced, and this can affect image quality by reducing the contrast of the radiographic image.

Additionally, the increased energy allows the x-rays to penetrate through the tissue more effectively, but the scattering effect still plays a significant role in the distribution of radiation exposure to the film or digital detector. Thus, as kVp rises, the incidence of the Compton effect becomes more pronounced, leading to more scattered radiation in the imaging process.