Tunhe Zhou

Comparison of two x-ray phase-contrast imaging methods with a microfocus source

We present a comparison for high-resolution imaging with a laboratory source between grating-based (GBI) and propagation-based (PBI) x-ray phase-contrast imaging. The comparison is done through simulations and experiments using a liquid-metal-jet x-ray microfocus source. Radiation doses required for detection in projection images are simulated as a function of the diameter of a cylindrical sample. Using monochromatic radiation, simulations show a lower dose requirement for PBI for small object features and a lower dose for GBI for larger object features. Using polychromatic radiation, such as that from a laboratory microfocus source, experiments and simulations show a lower dose requirement for PBI for a large range of feature sizes. Tested on a biological sample, GBI shows higher noise levels than PBI, but its advantage of quantitative refractive index reconstruction for multi-material samples becomes apparent.

Speckle-based x-ray phase-contrast imaging with a laboratory source and the scanning technique

The speckle-based scanning method for x-ray phase-contrast imaging is implemented with a liquid-metal-jet source. Using the two-dimensional scanning technique, the phase shift introduced by the object is retrieved in both transverse orientations, and the limitations on spatial resolution inherent to the speckle-tracking technique are avoided. This method opens up possibilities of new high-resolution multimodal applications for lab-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging.

X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging and Metrology through Unified Modulated Pattern Analysis

We present a method for x-ray phase-contrast imaging and metrology applications based on the sample-induced modulation and subsequent computational demodulation of a random or periodic reference interference pattern. The proposed unified modulated pattern analysis (UMPA) technique is a versatile approach and allows tuning of signal sensitivity, spatial resolution, and scan time. We characterize the method and demonstrate its potential for high-sensitivity, quantitative phase imaging, and metrology to overcome the limitations of existing methods.

X-ray grating interferometry with a liquid-metal-jet source

A liquid-metal-jet X-ray tube is used in an X-ray phase-contrast microscope based on a Talbot type grating interferometer. With a focal spot size in the range of a few microns and a photon flux of ∼1012 photons/s×sr, the brightness of such a source is approximately one order of magnitude higher than for a conventional microfocus source. For comparison, a standard microfocus source was used with the same grating interferometer, showing significantly increased visibility for the liquid-metal-jet arrangement. Together with the increased flux, this results in improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Noise analysis of speckle-based x-ray phase-contrast imaging

Speckle-based x-ray phase-contrast imaging has drawn increasing interest in recent years as a simple, multimodal, cost-efficient, and laboratory-source adaptable method. We investigate its noise properties to help further optimization on the method and further comparison with other phase-contrast methods. An analytical model for assessing noise in a differential phase signal is adapted from studies on the digital image correlation technique in experimental mechanics and is supported by simulations and experiments. The model indicates that the noise of the differential phase signal from speckle-based imaging has a behavior similar to that of the grating-based method.

X-ray microtomography using correlation of near-field speckles for material characterization.

Significance We present X-ray speckle tracking tomography, a simple, robust, and versatile method to obtain simultaneously phase and absorption tomograms of the sample at the micrometer scale with a laboratory X-ray source. The method is based on correlation of near-field speckles and yields quantitative measurements of the full X-ray refractive index of the object with high sensitivity. X-ray speckle tracking tomography broadens the capabilities of X-ray imaging at laboratory sources with strong potential in materials and life sciences. Nondestructive microscale investigation of objects is an invaluable tool in life and materials sciences. Currently, such investigation is mainly performed with X-ray laboratory systems, which are based on absorption-contrast imaging and cannot access the information carried by the phase of the X-ray waves. The phase signal is, nevertheless, of great value in X-ray imaging as it is complementary to the absorption information and in general more sensitive to visualize features with small density differences. Synchrotron facilities, which deliver a beam of high brilliance and high coherence, provide the ideal condition to develop such advanced phase-sensitive methods, but their access is limited. Here we show how a small modification of a laboratory setup yields simultaneously quantitative and 3D absorption and phase images of the object. This single-shot method is based on correlation of X-ray near-field speckles and represents a significant broadening of the capabilities of laboratory-based X-ray tomography.

Low-dose phase-contrast X-ray imaging: a comparison of two methods

Propagation- and grating-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging methods are compared theoretically. As a prospective application of phase-contrast methods in medical or small animal imaging, carbon dioxide (CO2) angiography is the simulated task. The required dose for the observable blood vessel is compared through simulation. The result indicates that the propagation-based method requires lower dose in this application.

At-wavelength optics characterisation via X-ray speckle- and grating-based unified modulated pattern analysis

The current advances in new generation X-ray sources are calling for the development and improvement of high-performance optics. Techniques for high-sensitivity phase sensing and wavefront characterisation, preferably performed at-wavelength, are increasingly required for quality control, optimisation and development of such devices. We here show that the recently proposed unified modulated pattern analysis (UMPA) can be used for these purposes. We characterised two polymer X-ray refractive lenses and quantified the effect of beam damage and shape errors on their refractive properties. Measurements were performed with two different setups for UMPA and validated with conventional X-ray grating interferometry. Due to its adaptability to different setups, the ease of implementation and cost-effectiveness, we expect UMPA to find applications for high-throughput quantitative optics characterisation and wavefront sensing.

Comparison of laboratory grating-based and speckle-tracking x-ray phase-contrast imaging

Phase-contrast imaging with x-rays is a developing field for imaging weakly absorbing materials. In this work, two phase-contrast imaging methods, grating- and speckle-based imaging, that measure the derivative of the phase shift, have been implemented with a laboratory source and compared experimentally. It was found that for the same dose conditions, the speckle-tracking differential phase-contrast images have considerably higher contrast-to-noise ratio than the grating-based images, but at the cost of lower resolution. Grating-based imaging performs better in terms of resolution, but would require longer exposure times, mainly due to absorption in the grating interferometer.

Propagation-Based Phase-Contrast Imaging with Laboratory Sources

We demonstrate that propagation-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging with state-of-the art laboratory microfocus sources allows imaging of thick biomedical objects with very high spatial resolution.