What is another term commonly used to describe inherent detector noise?

Inherent detector noise is often referred to as "dark noise." This type of noise is primarily generated internally within the detector even in the absence of any incident radiation. It occurs due to electronic fluctuations and thermal agitation of the detector materials themselves, which can create a baseline signal that does not correspond to actual imaging exposure. Dark noise can affect the quality of the images produced, as it appears as random variations in the signal that can obscure the clarity or detail of the desired image.

Other terms mentioned in the choices refer to different aspects of noise. White noise, for example, is a signal that contains a wide range of frequencies and is typically characterized by a flat frequency response, often used in different contexts outside of detector noise. Film noise refers specifically to the graininess and imperfections found in film-based imaging, influenced by factors such as film processing and exposure conditions. Ambient noise pertains to external environmental factors that may interfere with imaging but does not specifically describe the inherent electronic noise within the detector. Understanding the specific characteristics of detector noise is key to improving image quality and is particularly relevant in the context of fluoroscopy and other imaging modalities.