Which interaction with matter results in a radiograph with higher contrast?

The interaction with matter that results in a radiograph with higher contrast is photoelectric interactions. This type of interaction occurs when x-ray photons are completely absorbed by the tissue, resulting in significant attenuation of the beam. As a result, areas of high density, such as bone, absorb more x-rays and appear very bright on the radiograph, while areas of low density, such as soft tissue, permit more x-rays to pass through and appear darker.

This strong differential absorption leads to a greater difference in the grayscale of the image, enhancing the contrast. Higher contrast is particularly useful in radiographic imaging because it allows for better visualization of the boundaries between different tissues, improving diagnostic accuracy.

In contrast, Compton scattering results in partial absorption of the x-ray photons and a lower quality image due to scattered radiation, which reduces the overall contrast. Rayleigh scattering has minimal effect on radiographic images as it does not significantly contribute to image formation and results in very low contrast. Direct transmission refers to x-rays passing through matter without interaction, which yields a uniform density rather than a pronounced contrast in the image.