Digital X-ray is changing the way radiology departments operate. Digital technology provides a significant reduction in exposure to radiation, improves the quality of diagnostic images, and eliminates the very large cost, both economically and environmentally, in chemical processing costs versus traditional analog x-ray systems.
Photon radiation caused by the rapid acceleration or deceleration of charged particles is what causes x-rays. By applying a high voltage, electrons can achieve a certain kinetic acceleration and are shot onto a metallic target Panels then convert the unabsorbed photons to light, then convert the light to an electrical signal with photodiodes, CCD, or CMOS imaging sensors. This type of digital x-ray is direct conversion. The signal is then converted to a digital signal for image processing. The first X-ray was taken in late 1865 by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, and traditional x-ray methods are laborious and time-consuming because the film must be developed, fixed, and dried. Digital x-rays are immediately available, thanks to modern electronics and computing.