Which artifact is caused by dust or foreign material on the imaging plate?

The presence of dust or foreign material on the imaging plate results in light spots on the radiographic image. This occurs because the foreign particles can obstruct the proper exposure of the imaging plate to radiation, creating areas where less or no information is recorded. These light spots manifest as irregularly shaped lighter areas on the final image where the foreign material has interferred with the imaging process.

Fogging, for example, relates more to overall background exposure, usually from scatter radiation or light leaks, rather than specific obstructions by particulate matter. Quantum mottle, on the other hand, refers to a grainy appearance due to insufficient x-ray photons reaching the imaging plate, which is unrelated to contamination. Scratches or tears refer to physical damage to the imaging plate, which affects image quality in a different manner than dust. Understanding these distinctions helps in diagnosing image quality issues and maintaining imaging equipment.