What is the term for an image that has been exposed on the imaging receptor but not yet processed?

The term for an image that has been exposed on the imaging receptor but not yet processed is known as a latent image. This refers to the initial image that is captured when the imaging receptor (such as film or a digital sensor) is exposed to radiation, but it remains invisible until it undergoes the processing steps required to reveal or convert it into a visible form.

In the context of traditional film-based radiography, the latent image is the result of a chemical reaction that occurs within the emulsion layer of the film once it has been exposed to X-rays. This image is not immediately visible and must be developed using specific chemical processes. In digital imaging, the concept of the latent image also applies, as the signals produced by the exposure need to be processed by software to produce a viewable image.

Other terms provided, such as "final image" and "processed image," refer to the output of the imaging process after processing has occurred, indicating that they are not the correct terminology for an unprocessed image. The term "digital image" describes the outcome of digital imaging but does not specifically address the state of the image prior to processing. Hence, the correct terminology for an unprocessed image is the latent image.