Single-Shot X-Ray Phase-Contrast Computed Tomography with Nonmicrofocal Laboratory Sources

We present a method that enables performing x-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) computed tomography with a laboratory setup using a single image per projection angle, eliminating the need to move optical elements during acquisition. Theoretical derivation of the method is presented, and its validity conditions are provided. The object is assumed to be quasihomogeneous, i.e., to feature a ratio between the refractive index and the linear attenuation coefficient that is approximately constant across the field of view. The method is experimentally demonstrated on a plastics phantom and on biological samples using a continuous rotation acquisition scheme achieving scan times of a few minutes. Moreover, we show that such acquisition times can be further reduced with the use of a high-efficiency photon-counting detector. Thanks to its ability to substantially simplify the image-acquisition procedure and greatly reduce collection times, we believe this method represents a very important step towards the application of XPCI to real-world problems.

[1]  Charlotte K. Hagen,et al.  Single-image phase retrieval using an edge illumination X-ray phase-contrast imaging setup , 2015, Journal of synchrotron radiation.

[2]  G. Meddeler,et al.  A Readout Chip for a 64 x 64 Pixel Matrix with 15-bit Single Photon Counting* , 1997 .

[3]  Roberto Dinapoli,et al.  PILATUS: A single photon counting pixel detector for X-ray applications , 2009 .

[4]  S. Wilkins,et al.  Simultaneous phase and amplitude extraction from a single defocused image of a homogeneous object , 2002, Journal of microscopy.

[5]  M. Marschner,et al.  Helical X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography without phase stepping , 2016, Scientific Reports.

[6]  Françoise Peyrin,et al.  X-ray in-line phase tomography of multimaterial objects. , 2012, Optics letters.

[7]  D. Paganin,et al.  2D and 3D X-ray phase retrieval of multi-material objects using a single defocus distance. , 2010, Optics express.

[8]  R. Dinapoli,et al.  Medipix2: A 64-k pixel readout chip with 55-/spl mu/m square elements working in single photon counting mode , 2001 .

[9]  Rafael Ballabriga,et al.  Timepix, a 65k programmable pixel readout chip for arrival time, energy and/or photon counting measurements , 2007 .

[10]  Evaluation of X-ray phase-contrast imaging with the Medipix , 2011 .

[11]  David M Paganin,et al.  Analyser-based mammography using single-image reconstruction. , 2005, Physics in medicine and biology.

[12]  Kai Zhang,et al.  A new method to extract angle of refraction in diffraction enhanced imaging computed tomography , 2007 .

[13]  P. C. Diemoz,et al.  On the origin of contrast in edge illumination X-ray phase-contrast imaging. , 2014, Optics express.

[14]  P. C. Diemoz,et al.  Sensitivity of laboratory based implementations of edge illumination X-ray phase-contrast imaging , 2013 .

[15]  B. Schmitt,et al.  EIGER: Next generation single photon counting detector for X-ray applications , 2011 .

[16]  T E Gureyev,et al.  On the evolution and relative merits of hard X-ray phase-contrast imaging methods , 2014, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[17]  Franz Pfeiffer,et al.  Experimental results from a preclinical X-ray phase-contrast CT scanner , 2012, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[18]  M. Campbell,et al.  The Medipix3 Prototype, a Pixel Readout Chip Working in Single Photon Counting Mode With Improved Spectrometric Performance , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science.

[19]  Giovanni Mettivier,et al.  MediSPECT: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography System for Small Field of View Small Animal Imaging based on a CdTe Hybrid Pixel Detector , 2007 .

[20]  P. C. Diemoz,et al.  Hard X-ray dark-field imaging with incoherent sample illumination , 2014 .

[21]  Alessandro Olivo,et al.  The relationship between wave and geometrical optics models of coded aperture type x-ray phase contrast imaging systems. , 2010, Optics express.

[22]  M. Teague.  Deterministic phase retrieval: a Green’s function solution , 1983 .

[23]  Ziyu Wu,et al.  Low-dose, simple, and fast grating-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging , 2010, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[24]  Alessandro Olivo,et al.  Phase and absorption retrieval using incoherent X-ray sources , 2012, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[25]  David M. Paganin,et al.  X-ray phase imaging with a paper analyzer , 2012 .

[26]  R. Speller,et al.  A coded-aperture technique allowing x-ray phase contrast imaging with conventional sources , 2007 .

[27]  O. Bunk,et al.  Phase retrieval and differential phase-contrast imaging with low-brilliance X-ray sources , 2006 .

[28]  P. Delpierre,et al.  XPAD: A photons counting pixel detector for material sciences and small-animal imaging , 2007 .

[29]  Franz Kainberger,et al.  Dear-Mama: A photon counting X-ray imaging project for medical applications , 2006 .

[30]  P. C. Diemoz,et al.  Spatial resolution of edge illumination X-ray phase-contrast imaging. , 2014, Optics express.

[31]  S. Wilkins,et al.  Phase-contrast imaging using polychromatic hard X-rays , 1996, Nature.

[32]  Yakov I Nesterets,et al.  Some simple rules for contrast, signal-to-noise and resolution in in-line x-ray phase-contrast imaging. , 2008, Optics express.

[33]  A Bravin,et al.  X-ray phase-contrast imaging with nanoradian angular resolution. , 2013, Physical review letters.

[34]  L. Feldkamp,et al.  Practical cone-beam algorithm , 1984 .

[35]  R D Speller,et al.  Low-dose phase contrast mammography with conventional x-ray sources. , 2013, Medical physics.

[36]  R. Bellazzini,et al.  Chromatic X-ray imaging with a fine pitch CdTe sensor coupled to a large area photon counting pixel ASIC , 2013 .

[37]  Konstantin Ignatyev,et al.  Reverse projection retrieval in edge illumination x-ray phase contrast computed tomography , 2016 .

[38]  F Arfelli,et al.  An innovative digital imaging set-up allowing a low-dose approach to phase contrast applications in the medical field. , 2001, Medical physics.

[39]  A. Peele,et al.  Polychromatic X-ray tomography: direct quantitative phase reconstruction. , 2012, Optics express.

[40]  P. C. Diemoz,et al.  Low-dose phase contrast tomography with conventional x-ray sources. , 2014, Medical physics.

[41]  Giovanni Mettivier,et al.  CdTe hybrid pixel detector for imaging with thermal neutrons , 2006 .

[42]  Franz Pfeiffer,et al.  Evaluation of phase-contrast CT of breast tissue at conventional X-ray sources - presentation of selected findings. , 2013, Zeitschrift fur medizinische Physik.

[43]  D. Vine,et al.  Analyzer-based phase contrast imaging and phase retrieval using a rotating anode x-ray source , 2007 .

[44]  R. Bellazzini,et al.  Direct reading of charge multipliers with a self-triggering CMOS analog chip with 105 k pixels at 50 μm pitch , 2006, physics/0604114.