X-ray in-line phase tomography of multimaterial objects

We present a method for phase retrieval from x-ray Fresnel diffraction patterns for multimaterial objects. Previously, homogeneous object assumptions have been used and have been introduced in the Radon domain. Here, we apply prior knowledge in the object domain, which permits the introduction of multiple materials. This is achieved first by a tomographic reconstruction of an attenuation scan and then introduction of the prior followed by a forward projection step to yield the a priori phase maps. The method is applied to the reconstruction of an object of known composition consisting of both soft and hard materials and is shown to perform better than previously proposed algorithms.     

Comparison of results of interferometric phase extraction algorithms for three-dimensional flow-field tomography

A comparison of the results of interferometric phase information retrieval and subsequent tomographic reconstruction from deformed wavefront projections by phase unwrapping is presented. In interferogram processing, conventional fringe tracking and Fourier transform methods have been utilized for comparison. With these methods by injecting carrier fringes, the projection data of any axial cross section can be extracted in all projection directions to implement three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction. The results of experiments of a simulated temperature field prove that the phase extraction based on the Fourier transform method produces tomographic reconstruction much superior to the conventional fringe tracking technique.     

Feasibility of ultrasound phase contrast for heating localization

Ultrasound-based methods for temperature monitoring could greatly assist focused ultrasound visualization and treatment planning based on sound speed-induced change in phase as a function of temperature. A method is presented that uses reflex transmission integration, planar projection, and tomographic reconstruction techniques to visualize phase contrast by measuring the sound field before and after heat deposition. Results from experiments and numerical simulations employing a through-transmission setup are presented to demonstrate feasibility of using phase contrast methods for identifying temperature change. A 1.088-MHz focused transducer was used to interrogate a medium with a phase contrast feature, following measurement of the baseline reference field with a hydrophone. A thermal plume in water and a tissue phantom with multiple water columns was used in separate experiments to produce a phase contrast. The reference and phase contrast field scans were numerically backprojected and the phase difference correctly identified the position and orientation of the features. The peak temperature reconstructed from the phase shift was within 0.2 degrees C of the measured temperature in the plume. Simulated results were in good agreement with experimental results. Finally, employment of reflex transmission imaging techniques for adopting a pulse-echo arrangement was simulated, and its future experimental application is discussed.     

T-ray computed tomography

We demonstrate a tomographic imaging modality that uses pulsed terahertz (THz) radiation to probe the optical properties of three-dimensional (3D) structures in the far-infrared. This THz-wave computed tomography (T-ray CT) system provides sectional images of objects in a manner analogous to conventional CT techniques such as x-ray CT. The transmitted amplitude and phase of broadband pulses of THz radiation are measured at multiple projection angles. The filtered backprojection algorithm is then used to reconstruct the target object, including both its 3D structure and its frequency-dependent far-infrared optical properties.     

Tomographic microscopy of three-dimensional phase objects in spatially incoherent light

The use of spatially incoherent light is proposed for raising the quality of interference projection data in tomographic microscopy of phase objects. The optical scheme of the tomographic microscope is based on the scheme of a Linnik microinterferometer with an extended source of quasi-monochromatic light. Characteristic features of the tomography of phase objects positioned near flat reflecting surfaces are considered.     

Classification of inhomogeneous media in tomography based on their contrast

The classification of pairs of different substances in accordance with the degree of tomographic visibility of the interfaces between these substances is considered. The classification is performed without using tomographic information and can be considered as a prediction of the quality of the subsequent reconstruction of an unknown medium. The study is based on the solution of the problem of x-ray tomography aimed at the determination of the inner structure of an unknown medium by radiation probing. The classification involves finding the contrast coefficient and studying the character of its energy dependence. The results are illustrated by plots and tomograms obtained by computer simulation.     

Complete-angle projection diffuse optical tomography by use of early photons

We present the first, to our knowledge, experimental images of complex-shaped phantoms embedded in diffuse media by use of optical tomography. Imaging is based on a complete-angle projection tomographic technique that utilizes transmitted early photons. Results are contrasted with measurements obtained at later gates as well as pseudocontinuous-wave data. The scanning system developed employs noncontact illumination and detection technologies that allow for high spatial sampling of transmitted photons. Combining this system with complete-angle illumination is found to be an important strategy toward improved imaging performance, resulting in a better-posed inversion problem. The appropriateness of reconstruction algorithms similar to those employed in x-ray computed tomography are showcased, and suggestions for model improvements are provided.     

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.     

Neutron dark-field tomography

We report how a grating interferometer yields neutron dark-field scatter images for tomographic investigations. The image contrast is based on ultrasmall-angle scattering. It provides otherwise inaccessible spatially resolved information about the distribution of micrometer and submicrometer sized structural formations. Three complementary sets of tomographic data corresponding to attenuation, differential phase, and small-angle scattering can be obtained from one measurement. The method is compatible with conventional imaging and provides significantly higher efficiency than existing techniques.     

In-line phase contrast for weakly absorbing materials with a microfocus x-ray source

For weakly absorbing materials, image contrast can be enhanced by phase contrast in formation. The effectiveness of the in-line phase contrast technique relies on its ability to record intensity data which contain information on the x-ray's phase shift. Four kinds of approaches to the relationship between intensity distribution and phase shift are reviewed and discussed. A micro-focal x-ray source with high geometrical magnification is used to acquire phase contrast images. A great improvement on image quality is shown and geometrical parameters are modified for comparison between different imaging positions.     

Application of phase retrieval algorithm in reflective tomography laser radar imaging

We apply phase retrieval method to align projection data for tomographic reconstruction in reflective tomography laser radar imaging.In our experiment,the target is placed on a spin table with an unknown,but fixed,axis.The oscillatory motion of the target in the incident direction of the laser pulse is added at each view to simulate the real satellites random motion.The experimental simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of this method to improve image reconstruction quality.Future research also includes the development of projection registration based on phase retrieval for targets with more complicated structure.     

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.     

Two-dimensional x-ray beam phase sensing

We present a new method to analyze quantitatively the wave front of a partially coherent x-ray beam. The technique is based on the use of two-dimensional speckle patterns combined with digital image correlation algorithms and offers a pixel size resolution, a high accuracy, and a reduced sensitivity to mechanical vibrations thanks to a very simple setup. The requirements on transverse and longitudinal coherence are also low. Finally, we show how the method can be used for phase contrast imaging applications by a single sample exposure process.     

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.     

多点光源相衬成像法应用于内爆背光照相实验

针对常规内爆背光照相中存在的光源均匀性差、 靶丸图像烧蚀层与气体层界面不清晰、 瞄准精度差等关键问题设计了新型的背光照相靶. 在神光II大型激光装置上采用阵列点光源结合相衬成像的方式获取了清晰的靶丸烧蚀层与气体层界面信息, 同时具备光源均匀性好, 成像视场大的优点; 采用诊断狭缝限光的方式大大提高了瞄准精度使得整体图像质量优于常规靶设计. 实验结果表明, 激光驱动等离子体产生的点光源结合相衬成像方法在精密物理诊断中具有重要的作用, 可以广泛应用于惯性约束聚变以及高能量密度物理研究. 关键词： 惯性约束聚变 背光照相 针孔点背光 相衬成像     

硬X射线相位光栅的设计与研制

针对在普通实验室和医院实现40—100keVX射线相衬成像的需求,考虑到成像系统参数、X射线源空间相干特性及光栅衍射效率,设计出硅基相位光栅结构参数.利用我们已发展的光助电化学刻蚀技术研制出直径为5英寸的相位光栅,其空间周期为5.6μm,线宽为2.8μm,深度为40—70μm.在理论分析的基础上,通过提高硅片两端有效工作电压和修正Lehmann电流密度公式,解决了实际刻蚀过程中出现的钻蚀问题.由实验结果可知,本方案对制作大面积高精度相位光栅十分有效。     

Decreased surface tension of water by hard-x-ray irradiation

We discovered that intense irradiation by hard-x-ray strongly decreases the effects of natural surface tension of water in droplets and capillary tubes. The effect was revealed by direct experimental observations with phase contrast microradiology. A model based on ionization and surface charging explains this so far undetected phenomenon. The effect can impact the results of many experimental techniques based on x rays. This is an example of the largely unexplored effects that can be produced by extreme intense x-ray irradiation-an important issue due to current development of x-ray free-electron-lasers with unprecedented brilliance.     

Quadriwave lateral shearing interferometry in an achromatic and continuously self-imaging regime for future x-ray phase imaging

We present in this Letter a type of quadriwave lateral shearing interferometer for x-ray phase imaging. This device is based on a phase chessboard, and we take advantage of the large spectrum of the source to produce interferograms with a propagation-invariant contrast. Such a grating has been created for hard x-ray interferometry and experimentally tested on a synchrotron beamline at Soleil.     

Tomography Methods for Vector Field Study Using Space-Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors with Integral Sensitivity

The problem of tomographic reconstruction of vector physical fields is studied. This problem can be solved by using fiber optic measuring lines (MLs) of special shape. In the case that the ML output signal is proportional to the vector's projection, the ML must be shaped like a narrow loop. This problem can be solved by means of the integral theorem. If an ML output signal is proportional to projection of a vector derivative with respect to ML direction, the ML with a step shape can be used. In this case the potential component of a vector field can be reconstructed. This approach can be applied to research on distributions of electromagnetic, deforming, and other vector fields and can be used for developing systems to monitor vector physical fields.     

X-ray phase-attenuation duality and phase retrieval

Phase retrieval is the key to quantitative x-ray phase-contrast imaging. To retrieve the phase image of an x-ray wave field, in general one needs multiple phase-contrast images. We have made a new observation of phase-attenuation duality for soft tissues, and we show how only a single phase-contrast image is needed for successful phase retrieval based on this duality. The phase-retrieval formula based on a single phase-contrast image of inhomogeneous soft tissue is derived and presented. We show the striking enhancement of the tissue contrast in simulated phase images that this new approach produces.