Aluminum filtration primarily affects which type of x-ray photons?

Aluminum filtration is an important aspect of radiation protection and image quality in the use of x-ray equipment. Its primary purpose is to selectively absorb lower-energy x-ray photons from the beam. These low-energy photons are less effective in producing useful images because they are more likely to be absorbed by the patient's tissues rather than penetrate through to the film or digital detector.

By using aluminum as a filter, the x-ray tube can reduce the dose to the patient by eliminating these less penetrating low-energy photons while allowing higher-energy photons to pass through. This results in improved image quality and reduced patient exposure, as the filtered x-ray beam consists of more penetrating, higher-quality radiation. Thus, the role of aluminum filtration is crucial for enhancing safety and efficiency in x-ray imaging.