What type of image is likely to demonstrate a high level of quantum mottle?

Quantum mottle refers to the grainy or mottled appearance that can occur in digital radiographic images due to insufficient photon interaction with the imaging detector. This phenomenon is more likely to occur in low-exposure images because, in these situations, the number of X-ray photons reaching the detector is minimized. As a result, there are fewer interactions captured, leading to greater variability in the signal and the characteristic randomness that defines quantum mottle.

In low-exposure scenarios, the statistical nature of photon detection becomes more pronounced. With fewer photons, the likelihood of detecting a consistent image signal decreases, allowing noise from the quantum interactions to appear more prominently. This contrasts with higher exposure images, where more photons provide a clearer and more uniform signal, thus reducing the visibility of quantum mottle.

Additionally, well-collimated images and digitally processed images are not directly linked to the level of quantum mottle. Proper collimation helps to focus the beam but does not influence photon count in the detector in the same way low exposures do. Digital processing can enhance an image but does not inherently address the issue of quantum mottle arising from photon statistics.