An x-ray film is a photographic film used to generate a visual x-ray image. X-ray films are rarely used as the only radiation detector. Commonly they are used in conjunction with intensifying screens placed in the film cassette, because high resolution films have a poor sensitivity to x-rays. At direct film exposure, only a small amount of x-ray photons will be absorbed and react with the film emulsion. An intensifying screen contains scintillating materials to convert x-ray radiation into light or lows electromagnetic energies.
X-ray films provide very good spatial resolution and contrast, but need long exposures times and chemical processing.

See also Conventional Radiography and Digital Radiography.

Chemical, usually acetic acid in the fixer and sodium carbonate in the developer, to neutralize the developer and to swell the gelatin, respectively.

See also Film Processor and X-Ray Film.

Autoradiography is a method that uses incorporated radioactive material as the source of the radiation. The image on an x-ray film or nuclear emulsion is recorded by direct contact of the object with photo emulsion. Photographic emulsions have a very high efficiency for beta radiation.

A Bucky is a component of x-ray units that holds the x-ray film cassette and moves the grid during x-ray exposure. The motion keeps the lead strips from being seen on the x-ray picture.
The name refers to Dr. Gustave Bucky who invented the use of filter grids in 1913.

A cassette is a thin, low x-ray absorption plastic case, for holding the x-ray film. Inside the cassette are intensifying screens for the conversion of x-rays to visible light photons. The intensifying screens are mounted in close contact with the film. Mammography cassettes are equipped with single screens.