title: Quantitative X-ray phase-contrast microtomography from a compact laser-driven betatron source.
abstract: X-ray phase-contrast imaging has recently led to a revolution in resolving power and tissue contrast in biomedical imaging, microscopy and materials science. The necessary high spatial coherence is currently provided by either large-scale synchrotron facilities with limited beamtime access or by microfocus X-ray tubes with rather limited flux. X-rays radiated by relativistic electrons driven by well-controlled high-power lasers offer a promising route to a proliferation of this powerful imaging technology. A laser-driven plasma wave accelerates and wiggles electrons, giving rise to a brilliant keV X-ray emission. This so-called betatron radiation is emitted in a collimated beam with excellent spatial coherence and remarkable spectral stability. Here we present a phase-contrast microtomogram of a biological sample using betatron X-rays. Comprehensive source characterization enables the reconstruction of absolute electron densities. Our results suggest that laser-based X-ray technology offers the potential for filling the large performance gap between synchrotron- and current X-ray tube-based sources.
authors.affiliation: 1] Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät für Physik, Am Coulombwall 1, Garching 85748, Germany [2] MPI für Quantenoptik, Abteilung für Attosekundenphysik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Biomedizinische Physik, Physik-Department &Institut für Medizintechnik, Technische Universität München, Garching 85748, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schleede
authors.affiliation: 1] Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät für Physik, Am Coulombwall 1, Garching 85748, Germany [2] MPI für Quantenoptik, Abteilung für Attosekundenphysik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khrennikov
authors.affiliation: 1] Lehrstuhl für Biomedizinische Physik, Physik-Department &Institut für Medizintechnik, Technische Universität München, Garching 85748, Germany [2] Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Barngatan 2:B, Lund 22185, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.identifier: 0000000191097175
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bech
authors.affiliation: 1] Lehrstuhl für Biomedizinische Physik, Physik-Department &Institut für Medizintechnik, Technische Universität München, Garching 85748, Germany [2] Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thibault
authors.affiliation: 1] Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät für Physik, Am Coulombwall 1, Garching 85748, Germany [2] MPI für Quantenoptik, Abteilung für Attosekundenphysik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heigoldt
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Biomedizinische Physik, Physik-Department &Institut für Medizintechnik, Technische Universität München, Garching 85748, Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.affiliation: 1] Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät für Physik, Am Coulombwall 1, Garching 85748, Germany [2] MPI für Quantenoptik, Abteilung für Attosekundenphysik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karsch