What describes Quantum Mottle in imaging?

Quantum mottle refers to the random variations in the number of x-ray photons that reach the imaging detector, leading to a grainy or noisy appearance in the image. This phenomenon occurs due to insufficient exposure or a low number of photons being detected, which varies randomly across the image area. As a result, areas with fewer photons will appear darker or "mottled," while areas with more photons will look more uniformly exposed. This can affect the diagnostic quality of the image, making it more challenging to interpret. Higher exposure levels typically reduce the likelihood of quantum mottle, resulting in clearer images.