What is the term for the production of light energy by a detector in response to absorbed x-ray energy?

The production of light energy by a detector in response to absorbed x-ray energy is referred to as scintillation. This process involves the conversion of x-ray photons into visible light, typically achieved through materials that exhibit scintillating properties. When x-ray photons interact with the scintillator material, they excite the atoms within it, causing them to emit light in a specific wavelength range. This emitted light is then detected and measured to create an image.

In the context of CT imaging, scintillation is a key feature of many detector technologies, as it enhances the detection efficiency of x-rays and contributes to improved image quality. Scintillators, such as cesium iodide or sodium iodide, are commonly used in modern CT scanners for their effective light output and responsiveness to x-ray radiation.

While terms like fluorescence, radiation emission, and luminescence relate to light production and energy interaction, they do not specifically describe the mechanism or context of x-ray interaction used in detectors as accurately as scintillation does. Fluorescence generally refers to a process in which a material absorbs photons and re-emits them almost instantaneously, whereas luminescence is a broader term that encompasses any light emission from a substance not resulting from heat. Radiation emission typically refers to the