At which kilovoltage peak (kVp) levels do Compton interactions occur in diagnostic radiology?

Compton interactions play a significant role in diagnostic radiology, as they involve the scattering of radiation when it interacts with matter, particularly with electrons in tissues. These interactions occur throughout the range of kilovoltage peak (kVp) levels typically used in diagnostic radiography.

At low kVp levels, the likelihood of photoelectric interactions is higher, but as the kVp increases, the energy of the x-ray photons also increases, allowing for Compton interactions to become more prominent. This means that Compton scattering does not need to be confined to a specific range; rather, it is a phenomenon that occurs continuously across the kVp levels generally utilized in medical imaging, which can vary depending on the type of examination being performed.

The presence of Compton interactions in the whole range means they are not limited to low or high levels but are relevant across the diagnostic spectrum, facilitating the production of diagnostic images through the scattering processes that provide contrast and detail in the final radiographic images.