What happens to receptor exposure if the kilovoltage peak (kVp) is increased in an AEC system?

Increasing the kilovoltage peak (kVp) in an AEC (Automatic Exposure Control) system leads to an increase in receptor exposure. This is due to the fact that higher kVp levels enhance the penetrating power of the x-ray photons, allowing them to pass through the patient and reach the imaging receptor more effectively.

When kVp is raised, more x-ray photons are generated with sufficient energy to penetrate tissues, resulting in a greater quantity of radiation reaching the receptor. Consequently, this increases the overall exposure on the imaging receptor, which can enhance the image contrast and detail in the radiographic image.

In the context of AEC systems, which are designed to automatically terminate the exposure once a predetermined level of receptor exposure is achieved, increasing the kVp can lead to shorter exposure times due to quicker attainment of the selected receptor exposure level. This is because the system detects the increased exposure more swiftly as the x-rays penetrate the anatomy more effectively.

Thus, the correct interpretation is that increasing kVp results in an increase in receptor exposure, as the enhanced radiation quality allows for greater transmission to the image receptor.