What type of x-ray photon interaction is least likely to contribute to dose in radiography?

In the context of x-ray interactions, elastic scattering involves the interaction of an x-ray photon with matter without losing energy. This type of interaction occurs primarily with low-energy photons and results in a change of direction without the absorption of energy, meaning that it does not contribute significantly to the dose received by the patient or to ionization of tissues.

The primary reason elastic scattering is least likely to contribute to dose is that it does not lead to ionization, which is a key factor in the biological effects of radiation. In contrast, interactions like the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and pair production all involve energy transfer that can result in ionization of atoms in the body's tissues, contributing to potential biological damage and dosage.

The photoelectric effect and Compton scattering, in particular, are the main contributors to dose in diagnostic radiography, as they involve absorption of x-ray photons and energy transfer to electrons, leading to ionization. Pair production occurs at very high photon energies and is not typically relevant in standard radiographic procedures. Therefore, elastic scattering stands out as the type of interaction that minimizes dose by avoiding ionization effects altogether.