Final answer:
The 'trapped' electrons when an imaging plate is exposed to X-rays lead to the creation of a latent image that is later converted into a digital image for medical diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an imaging plate is exposed to X-rays, the electrons that are 'trapped' during this process lead to the formation of a latent image. The imaging plate, coated with photostimulable phosphor, traps these electrons when struck by X-ray photons. The trapped electrons exist in a higher energy state and, when the plate is later stimulated by light during the 'reading' process in a laser scanner, they return to their ground state and release the stored energy in the form of light. This emitted light is then captured and converted into a digital image. In medical imaging, this process is critical as it helps create detailed visual representations of the interior of a patient's body without the use of film.
The images are produced by electrons converting their kinetic energy from the X-ray interactions to digital signals, rendering it visible for diagnosis. This technology provides more sensitivity to radiation and a better range of detection compared to traditional photographic film, which relies on chemical reactions with silver compounds to produce an image.