Elemental x-ray imaging using Zernike phase contrast

We develop an element-specific x-ray microscopy method by using Zernike phase contrast imaging near absorption edges, where a real part of refractive index changes abruptly. In this method two phase contrast images are subtracted to obtain the target element: one is at the absorption edge of the target element and the other is near the absorption edge. The x-ray exposure required by this method is expected to be significantly lower than that of conventional absorption-based x-ray elemental imaging methods. Numerical calculations confirm the advantages of this highly efficient imaging method.     

Elemental x-ray imaging using Zernike phase contras

We develop an element-specific x-ray microscopy method by using Zernike phase contrast imaging near absorption edges, where a real part of refractive index changes abruptly. In this method two phase contrast images are subtracted to obtain the target element: one is at the absorption edge of the target element and the other is near the absorption edge. The x-ray exposure required by this method is expected to be significantly lower than that of conventional absorption-based x-ray elemental imaging methods. Numerical calculations confirm the advantages of this highly efficient imaging method.     

Single-shot grating-based x-ray differential phase contrast imaging with a modified analyzer grating

X-ray grating interferometer has attracted widely attention in the past years due to its capability in achieving x-ray phase contrast imaging with low brilliance source. However, the widely used phase stepping information extraction method reduces system stability and prolongs data acquisition time by several times compared with conventional x-ray absorptionbased imaging. The mechanical stepping can be avoided by using a staggered grating, but at the cost of low vertical spatial resolution. In this paper, employing a modified staggered grating and the angular signal radiography, we proposed a single-shot grating-based x-ray differential phase contrast imaging with decent vertical spatial resolution. The theoretical framework was deduced and proved by numerical experiments. Absorption, phase, and scattering computed tomography can be performed without phase stepping. Therefore, we believe this fast and highly stable imaging method with decent resolution would be widely applied in x-ray grating-based phase contrast imaging.     

High resolution 3D x-ray diffraction microscopy

We have imaged a 2D buried Ni nanostructure at 8 nm resolution using coherent x-ray diffraction and the oversampling phasing method. By employing a 3D imaging reconstruction algorithm, for the first time we have experimentally determined the 3D structure of a noncrystalline nanostructured material at 50 nm resolution. The 2D and 3D imaging resolution is currently limited by the exposure time and the computing power, while the ultimate resolution is limited by the x-ray wavelengths. We believe these results pave the way for the development of atomic resolution 3D x-ray diffraction microscopy.     

腔靶X光空间特性研究

本文介绍了腔靶X光空间成像原理和方法。在国内,首次将MCP(微通道板)光电成像器件应用于激光聚变实验,将X射线测量能区扩展到亚千电子伏范围。实验中利用各种黑体腔靶,通过测量腔靶X光空间发射图象,得到了腔靶激光注入孔和腔内都存在着等离子体会聚机制,以及腔内X光发射以腔壁为主等重要信息,观察到腔靶X光输运通道存在着“堵口”现象,对测量结果进行了物理解释。     

X-ray phase-sensitive microscope imaging with a grating interferometer: Theory and simulation

A general theoretical framework is presented to explain the formation of the phase signal in an x-ray microscope integrated with a grating interferometer, which simultaneously enables the high spatial resolution imaging and the improved image contrast. By using this theory, several key parameters of phase contrast imaging can be predicted, for instance, the fringe visibility and period, and the conversion condition from the differential phase imaging (DPI) to the phase difference imaging (PDI). Additionally, numerical simulations are performed with certain x-ray optical components and imaging geometry. Comparison with the available experimental measurement [Appl. Phys. Lett. 113 063105 (2018)] demonstrates the accuracy of this developed quantitative analysis method of x-ray phase-sensitive microscope imaging.     

Quantitative Evaluation Methods of In-Line X-Ray Phase Contrast Techniques

By revealing the relationship between edge visibility and imaging parameters in in-line phase contrast imaging （PCI）, we propose a method to quantitatively measure the contribution of absorption and phase shift from acquired images. We also prove that edge visibility will grow with the increasing source-object distance and object-detector distance. The result is validated by relative phase factor and by experiments conducted on a microfocus x-ray source. This method provides a new approach to evaluate in-line PCI images and is helpful for deciding imaging parameters.     

Sheet-beam geometry for in vivo fluorescent x-ray computed tomography: proof-of-concept experiment in molecular imaging

We propose a fluorescent x-ray computed tomography method using an array of detectors with an incident sheet beam, aimed at providing molecular imaging with high sensitivity and good spatial resolution. In this study, we prove the feasibility of this concept and investigate its imaging properties, including spatial and contrast resolutions and quantitativeness, by imaging an acrylic phantom and a normal mouse brain using a preliminary imaging system with monochromatic synchrotron x rays.     

X-ray spatial harmonic imaging of phase objects

Refractive index gradients in materials or at material interfaces lead to x-ray diffraction. Interference of this radiation with adjacent x-ray waves causes phase contrast that can be used for imaging purposes if an x-ray source with sufficient spatial coherence is used. The imaging modality presented here uses hard x radiation diffracted at interfaces, but requires only little spatial coherence. We report experiments showing, first, that image contrast is not diminished by motional blurring, and second, that contrast can be increased by orders of magnitude relative to in-line x-ray phase-contrast imaging. These properties substantially broaden the applicability of phase-sensitive imaging to moving samples and very weak density gradients.     

Nanoscale imaging of buried structures with elemental specificity using resonant x-ray diffraction microscopy

We report the first demonstration of resonant x-ray diffraction microscopy for element specific imaging of buried structures with a pixel resolution of approximately 15 nm by exploiting the abrupt change in the scattering cross section near electronic resonances. We performed nondestructive and quantitative imaging of buried Bi structures inside a Si crystal by directly phasing coherent x-ray diffraction patterns acquired below and above the Bi M5 edge. We anticipate that resonant x-ray diffraction microscopy will be applied to element and chemical state specific imaging of a broad range of systems including magnetic materials, semiconductors, organic materials, biominerals, and biological specimens.     

Theory and method of dual-energy x-ray grating phase-contrast imaging

The principle of dual-energy x-ray grating phase-contrast imaging(DEPCI) is clarified by using the theory of x-ray interference and Fresnel diffraction. A new method of retrieving phase from the two interferograms is proposed for DEPCI,and its feasibility is verified via simulation. Finally, the proposed method applied to DEPCI experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of the method. This paper lays the theoretical foundation for performance optimization of DEPCI and the further integration of DEPCI and computed tomography.     

Influence of tube voltage and current on in-line phase contrast imaging using a microfocus x-ray source

In-line x-ray phase contrast imaging has attracted much attention due to two major advantages: its effectiveness in imaging weakly absorbing materials, and the simplicity of its facilities. In this paper a comprehensive theory based on Wigner distribution developed by Wu and Liu [Med. Phys. 31 2378-2384 (2004)] is reviewed. The influence of x-ray source and detector on the image is discussed. Experiments using a microfocus x-ray source and a CCD detector are conducted, which show the role of two key factors on imaging: the tube voltage and tube current. High tube current and moderate tube voltage are suggested for imaging.     

Visibility in differential phase-contrast imaging with partial coherence source

This paper gives theoretical analysis of visibility of fringes, which is influenced by distances, temporal and spatial coherence of source, in hard x-ray differential phase-contrast imaging with microfocus x-ray source. According to the character of longitudinal periodicity of the interferogram, the setup is insensitive to mechanical drift and vibrations. The effect of temporal coherence of x-ray source is investigated and its related bandwidth is derived. Based on the theory of partially coherent light, it shows that the requirement for the spatial coherence of x-ray source is not strict and can be met by the general microfocus x-ray tube for x-ray differential phase-contrast imaging.     

Investigation of noise properties in grating-based x-ray phase tomography with reverse projection method

The relationship between noise variance and spatial resolution in grating-based x-ray phase computed tomography(PCT) imaging is investigated with reverse projection extraction method, and the noise variances of the reconstructed absorption coefficient and refractive index decrement are compared. For the differential phase contrast method, the noise variance in the differential projection images follows the same inverse-square law with spatial resolution as in conventional absorption-based x-ray imaging projections. However, both theoretical analysis and simulations demonstrate that in PCT the noise variance of the reconstructed refractive index decrement scales with spatial resolution follows an inverse linear relationship at fixed slice thickness, while the noise variance of the reconstructed absorption coefficient conforms with the inverse cubic law. The results indicate that, for the same noise variance level, PCT imaging may enable higher spatial resolution than conventional absorption computed tomography(ACT), while ACT benefits more from degraded spatial resolution. This could be a useful guidance in imaging the inner structure of the sample in higher spatial resolution.     

Single-shot dual-energy x-ray imaging with a flat-panel sandwich detector for preclinical imaging

We describe a multi-layer (“sandwich”) configuration detector consisting of two x-ray imaging flat-panel detectors for single-shot (single-kV) dual-energy imaging. An intermediate copper filter is used to increase spectral separation between the two detectors to improve contrast at the expense of image noise. Monte Carlo and cascaded-systems analyses of the signal and noise performance are described that quantify performance characteristics. Image quality of dual-energy images obtained from a prototype sandwich-detector system is evaluated using a figure of merit (FOM), defined as the squared contrast-to-noise ratio normalized by x-ray exposure for a mouse phantom for preclinical imaging. Demonstration dual-energy bone and soft-tissues images of a postmortem mouse are obtained using the prototype system. While the FOM with the single-shot detector is lower than that achieved using a conventional dual-shot (dual-kV) method, the single-shot approach may be preferable when imaging speed or insensitivity to motion artifacts is a primary concern.     

Crystal optics as guard apertures for coherent x-ray diffraction imaging

A crucial issue in coherent x-ray diffraction imaging experiments is how to increase the signal-to-noise ratio when measuring relatively weak diffraction intensities from a nonperiodic object. A novel crystal guard aperture is described that makes use of a pair of multiple-bounce crystal optics to eliminate unwanted parasitic scattering background. This background is often produced by upstream optical elements such as a coherent-beam defining aperture. Recent experimental observation and theoretical analysis confirm the effectiveness of the crystal guard aperture method with coherence-preserved wave propagation through the crystal guard aperture and dramatically reduced scattering background in coherent x-ray diffraction images.     

Extended field of view soft x-ray Fourier transform holography: toward imaging ultrafast evolution in a single shot

Panoramic full-field imaging is demonstrated by applying spatial multiplexing to Fourier transform holography. Multiple object and reference waves extend the effective field of view for lensless imaging without compromising the spatial resolution. In this way, local regions of interest distributed throughout a sample can be simultaneously imaged with high spatial resolution. A method is proposed for capturing multiple ultrafast images of a sample with a single x-ray pulse.     

Quantitative imaging of single, unstained viruses with coherent x rays

We report the recording and reconstruction of x-ray diffraction patterns from single, unstained viruses, for the first time. By separating the diffraction pattern of the virus particles from that of their surroundings, we performed quantitative and high-contrast imaging of a single virion. The structure of the viral capsid inside a virion was visualized. This work opens the door for quantitative x-ray imaging of a broad range of specimens from protein machineries and viruses to cellular organelles. Moreover, our experiment is directly transferable to the use of x-ray free electron lasers, and represents an experimental milestone towards the x-ray imaging of large protein complexes.     

Ultrafast x-ray pulses emitted from a liquid mercury laser target

We report the generation of ultrashort, hard-x-ray pulses from a liquid mercury target irradiated by 5 kHz laser pulses. The new x-ray source is designed for time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy as well as imaging applications. This marks the first laser-driven plasma x-ray source that continuously recycles the target material, facilitating maintenance-free operation. Theoretical calculations show mercury targets emit shorter x-ray pulses than targets of lighter elements under identical illumination and x-ray detection conditions.     

Refractive microlens array for wave-front analysis in the medium to hard x-ray range

We report an alternative approach to x-ray wave-front analysis that uses a refractive microlens array as a Shack-Hartmann sensor. The sensor was manufactured by self-assembly and electroplating techniques and is suitable for high-resolution wave-front analysis of medium to hard x rays. We demonstrate its effectiveness at an x-ray energy of 3 keV for analysis of x-ray wave-front perturbations caused by microscopic objects. The sensor has potential advantages over other methods for x-ray phase imaging and will also be useful for the characterization of x-ray beams and optics.