We have previously shown in simulations that X-ray Interferometry using Modulated Phase Gratings can create an interference pattern in clinical detectors from which attenuation, differential phase, and dark-field contrast images can be formed. This interferometric technique is advantageous since it eliminates the need to use an absorption grating as compared to Talbot-Lau grating systems, providing better dose-efficiency. In this work we experimentally evaluated this modulated phase grating system using initial test gratings obtained from Microworks GmbH, Germany. Experiments with the MPG gratings were conducted at the monochromatic 8 keV beamline at the LSU Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD). After analyzing our fringe pattern and eliminating the effect of source grating (G0), we observed stable fringe patterns for our MPG system at different source grating (G0) to MPG distances. The fringe pattern results from these experiments that indicate the feasibility and potential of an X-ray MPG system that could be functional with only a single-phase grating (and source grating) as opposed to a standard interferometry system that additionally requires an absorption grating near the detector.
Purpose: We investigate an analyzer-less x-ray interferometer with a spatially modulated phase grating (MPG) that can deliver three modalities (attenuation image, phase image, and scatter images) in breast computed tomography (BCT). The system can provide three x-ray modalities while preserving the dose to the object and can achieve attenuation image sensitivity similar to that of a standard absorption-only BCT. The MPG system works with a source, a source-grating, a single phase grating, and a detector. No analyzer is necessary. Thus, there is an approximately 2x improvement in fluence at the detector for our system compared with the same source–detector distance Talbot–Lau x-ray interferometry (TLXI) because the TLXI has an analyzer after the object, which is not required for the MPG.
Approach: We investigate the MPG BCT system in simulations and find a clinically feasible system geometry. First, the mechanism of MPG interferometry is conceptually shown via Sommerfeld–Rayleigh diffraction integral simulations. Next, we investigate source coherence requirements, fringe visibility, and phase sensitivity dependence on different system parameters and find clinically feasible system geometry.
Results: The phase sensitivity of MPG interferometry is proportional to object–detector distance and inversely proportional to a period of broad fringes at the detector, which is determined by the grating spatial modulation period. In our simulations, the MPG interferometry can achieve about 27% fringe visibility with clinically realistic BCT geometry of a total source–detector distance of 950 mm and source–object distance of 500 mm.
Conclusions: We simulated a promising analyzer-less x-ray interferometer, with a spatially sinusoidal MPG. Our system is expected to deliver the attenuation, phase and scatter image in a single acquisition without dose or fluence detriment, compared with conventional BCT.
Phase contrast X-ray not only provides attenuation of tissue, but two other modalities (phase and scatter) in same scan. Scatter (dark-field) images provided by the technology are far more sensitive to structural and density changes of tissue such as lungs and can identify lung disease where conventional X-ray fails. Other areas poised to benefit greatly are mammography and bone joint imaging (eg. imaging arthritis). Of the various interferometer techniques, the two at the forefront are: Far-field Interferometry (FFI) (Miao et al, Nat. Phy. 2015) and Talbot-Lau interferometry (TLI) (Momose JJAP 2005, Pfeiffer Nature 2006). While the TLI has already made clinical strides, the newer FFI has advantage of not requiring an absorption grating (“analyzer”) and provides few-fold higher scatter sensitivity. In this work, a novel 2D single phase-grating (not requiring the analyzer), near-field phase contrast system was simulated using Sommerfeld- Rayleigh diffraction integrals. We observed 2D fringe patterns (pitch 800nm) at 50mm distance from the grating. Such a pattern period of 0.05mm, can be imaged by the LSU-interferometers with CT detector resolution (0.015mm) or Philips mammography detector resolution (0.05mm) making this practical system. Our design has a few advantages over Miao et al FFI system. We accomplish in one X-ray grating the functionality that requires 2-3 phase-grating in their design. And our design can also provide a compact system (source to detector distance < 1m) with control over the fringe pattern by fine tuning grating structure. We retain all the benefits of far-field systems -- of not requiring analyzer and high scatter sensitivity over Talbot-Lau interferometers.
Synchrotron X-ray tomography offers many advantages for the study of flame retardants in polymer blends. The time to acquire the raw projection data is relatively short, the time required to reconstruct and view a 3D image is acceptable, and multiple data sets can be combined to yield 3D chemical distributions, a rather remarkable achievement. However, the workflow is not yet optimized, with too many steps requiring the interaction of a skilled scientist, the re-writing of complex computer codes, and the continued quest for new and improved data analyses. From the point-of-view of the industrial scientists, the attitudes range from “I need to learn more about this experiment" to “just give me a picture". Herein, we discuss the capabilities and resources at the beamline versus the needs of the industrial user. It is a rapidly evolving relationship with a bright future. Recent advances include grating-based phase contrast imaging, dynamic tomography, VisTrails workow, and Apple's iBook Authoring, with the last providing an informal, guided instruction for advanced topics in tomography.
Several methods have been proposed for imaging biological tissue structures at the near micron scale and with user-control of contrast mechanisms that differentiate among the tissue structures. On the one hand, treatment with high-Z contrast agents (Ba, Cs, I, etc.) by injection or soaking and absorption edge imaging distinguishes soft tissue from cornified or bony tissue. This experiment is most compatible with high-bandpass monochromators (ΔE/E between 0.01 - 0.03), such as recently installed at the LSU synchrotron (CAMD). On the other hand, phase contrast imaging does not require any pre-treatment except preservation in formalin, but places more demands upon the X-ray source. This experiment is more compatible with beam lines, such as 13 BM-D at APS, which operates with a narrow bandpass monochromator (ΔE/E ≈ 10-4). Here, we compare imaging results of soft, cornified and bony tissues across the 2x2 matrix of absorption edge versus phase contrast, and high versus narrow bandpass monochromators. In addition, we comment on new data acquisition strategies adapted to the fragile character of biological tissues: (a) a 100 % humidity chamber, and (b) a data acquisition strategy, based on the Greek golden ratio, that more quickly leads to image convergence. The latter incurs the minor cost of reprogramming, or relabeling, images with order and angle. Subsequently, tomography data sets can be acquired based on synchrotron performance and sample fragility.
A fiberglass-reinforced polymer blend with a new-generation flame retardant is studied with multi-energy synchrotron
X-ray tomography to assess the blend homogeneity. Relative to other composite materials, this sample
is difficult to image due to low contrast between fiberglass and the polymer blend. To investigate the chemical
composition of this polymer blend, new procedures and algorithms were developed to produce, segment and analyze
a chemical concentration distribution that assesses the flame retardant distribution throughout the blend.
The results show an extremely homogenous system to the level of the tomography resolution, 3.26 μm. The
processes and algorithms used herein include: (a) correction of reconstructed subvolumes absorption values, (b)
model for chemical distribution, including the fiberglass matrix, (c) model for chemical distribution, excluding
the fiberglass matrix, and (d) an algorithm for generating the radial concentration distribution about the glass
fibers in the polymer matrix.
The conversion of 3D data sets of x-ray absorption images into 3D composition maps requires accurate mass absorption values, high-quality images, and a robust fitting algorithm. We evaluate the status of convenient x-ray absorption databases, the impact of various CCD parameters and imaging strategies (minimal vs over-determined), and styles of least-squares fits of the images (optionally including volume constraints). Concerns raised include the impact of NEXAFS features and limited CCD dynamic range. In the absence of these effects, the reduction of images to composition is fast and robust, as tested with simulations based on element-labeled Shepp-Logan phantoms. These studies allow one to evaluate a recent experiment in which synchrotron X-ray tomography is used to image a multicomponent sample. Those samples consisted of a mixture containing high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and a two-component flame retardant, a brominated phthalimide dimer and a synergist, antimony oxide (Sb2O3). Complete tomography data sets were acquired at 3.34 micron spatial resolution using seven X-ray energies in the range of 12 to 40 keV, closely spanning Br and Sb 1s electron binding energies at 13.474 and 30.491 keV, respectively.
The entrapment of nonwetting phase fluids in unconsolidated porous media systems is strongly dependent on the pore-scale geometry and topology. Synchrotron X-ray tomography allows us to nondestructively obtain high-resolution (on the order of 1-10 micron), three-dimensional images of multiphase porous media systems. Over the past year, a number of multiphase porous media systems have been imaged using the synchrotron X-ray tomography station at the GeoSoilEnviroCARS beamline at the Advanced Photon Source. For each of these systems, we are able to: (1) obtain the physically-representative network structure of the void space including the pore body and throat distribution, coordination number, and aspect ratio; (2) characterize the individual nonwetting phase blobs/ganglia (e.g., volume, sphericity, orientation, surface area); and (3) correlate the porous media and fluid properties. The images, data, and network structure obtained from these experiments provide us with a better understanding of the processes and phenomena associated with the entrapment of nonwetting phase fluids. Results from these experiments will also be extremely useful for researchers interested in interphase mass transfer and those utilizing network models to study the flow of multiphase fluids in porous media systems.
A tomography beamline has been built recently at the LSU CAMD synchrotron. The instrument consists of a Linux/LabVIEW-controlled CCD and Macintosh/LabVIEW controlled positioning stages. The two computers communicate via LabVIEW/TCP/IP. A Macintosh G4/Linux cluster has been installed for the purpose of on-site reconstruction. Instrument alignment and reconstruction programs are written in LabView, Matlab, and IDL. Applications to date are many. The blending of flame retardants (brominated aromatics, phosphates, and antimony oxide) in high-impact polystyrene is being studied with tomography; this work complements solid-state 81Br NMR. Also, several biological samples are to be studied as part of a multi-investigator project on biological visualization and computational studies. This project gives the tomography workers close access to an ImmersaDesk R2 and other computational resources.
Qi Li, Chuhe Kwon, Santanu Bhattacharya, Chris Doughty, S.-N. Mao, L. Senapathi, Xiaoxing Xi, T. Venkatesan, J. Peng, Z. Li, Richard Greene, Kyunmgin Ham, R. Sooryakumar, Steven Schwarz
Ultrathin ReBa2Cu3O7-(delta ) (ReBCO) (Re equals Y, Nd) films in the form of trilayer sandwiches between (PrxY1-x)Ba2Cu3O7- (delta )((PrxY1-x)BCO) (1 >= x >= 0) and YBCO/(PrxY1-x)BCO superlattices with nominal YBCO layer thickness as thin as 1 unit- cell were grown by pulsed laser deposition. It was found that although the 1-unit-cell thick YBCO films were superconducting, the Tc value depends strongly on the doping level x in the adjacent layers. The Tc value increases when x is reduced. A number of effects, either extrinsic or intrinsic in origin, have been examined by various experiments. The results indicate that the lattice mismatch, interdiffusion between Y and Pr atoms, and oxygen deficiency are unlikely to be the primary reason. Charge redistribution and the possibility of K-T transition were suggested by Raman and transport measurement, but the effects observed may not be sufficient to explain the change of zero resistance temperature and the broadening of the transition in these sample structures.
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