What is the impact of scatter radiation on image quality?

Scatter radiation has a negative impact on image quality, primarily by degrading contrast and clarity. In radiographic testing, scatter occurs when radiation interacts with matter, such as the components of the material being inspected. This scattered radiation then reaches the film or digital detector, contributing to a background "fog." This fog diminishes the visibility of the actual features of interest in the image, such as defects or the boundaries of materials, making it more challenging to identify critical details.

The presence of scatter reduces the overall contrast of the image, which is the difference in density between the areas representing the defects and the sound areas of the material. Lower contrast makes it harder to distinguish subtle variations or flaws. Therefore, effective radiographic practice often requires mitigating scatter through techniques like collimation, using anti-scatter grids, or optimizing exposure parameters. Reducing scatter enhances image quality, making it crucial for accurate defect detection in radiographic testing.