Final answer:
Calibration is the preparation process required before using a flat-panel detector for radiographic exposure, ensuring accurate and uniform image capture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before a flat-panel detector can be used for a radiographic exposure, it must be calibrated. This preparation process is designed to ensure that the detector will accurately capture the radiographic image as intended. Calibration involves setting the sensitivity of the detector, adjusting for uniform response across the entire surface, and ensuring that it can correctly convert the incoming x-ray photons into a digital image. This is critical in medical imaging to produce high-quality images for accurate diagnosis while limiting exposure to ionizing radiation.