What is the process called that converts X-ray energy directly into an electric signal without light?

The process that converts X-ray energy directly into an electric signal without intermediate light is known as the direct conversion process. This method utilizes materials that can absorb X-rays and immediately generate an electric charge proportional to the amount of X-ray energy absorbed.

In direct conversion, the materials typically used, such as amorphous selenium, directly convert the incoming X-ray photons into an electrical signal, which can then be processed to form an image. This eliminates the need for a separate scintillator layer, which is characteristic of the indirect conversion process, where X-ray energy is first converted into light before being transformed into an electric signal.

Understanding the direct conversion process is essential in contexts like digital radiography, where the efficiency and speed of image capture are critical. This direct pathway allows for quicker imaging with high resolution and image quality, contributing to better diagnostic capabilities in medical imaging.