Motionless phase stepping in X-ray phase contrast imaging with a compact source.
X-ray phase contrast imaging offers a way to visualize the internal structures of an object without the need to deposit significant radiation, and thereby alleviate the main concern in X-ray diagnostic imaging procedures today. Grating-based differential phase contrast imaging techniques are compatible with compact X-ray sources, which is a key requirement for the majority of clinical X-ray modalities. However, these methods are substantially limited by the need for mechanical phase stepping. We describe an electromagnetic phase-stepping method that eliminates mechanical motion, thus removing the constraints in speed, accuracy, and flexibility. The method is broadly applicable to both projection and tomography imaging modes. The transition from mechanical to electromagnetic scanning should greatly facilitate the translation of X-ray phase contrast techniques into mainstream applications.
Imaging Physics Laboratory, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Houxun
H
Miao
Lei
L
Chen
Eric E
EE
Bennett
Nick M
NM
Adamo
Andrew A
AA
Gomella
Alexa M
AM
DeLuca
Ajay
A
Patel
Nicole Y
NY
Morgan
Han
H
Wen
D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011859:Radiography / Q000379:methods*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
CT; X-ray diffraction; radiography; retrospective phase stepping; tomosynthesis