Open AccessQuantitative X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography at 82 keV
Author(s) -
Marian Willner,
Martin Bech,
Julia Herzen,
Irène Zanette,
D Hahn,
J. Kenntner,
J. Mohr,
Alexander Rack,
Timm Weitkamp,
Franz Pfeiffer
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.004155
Subject(s) - attenuation , contrast (vision) , optics , phase contrast imaging , x ray , materials science , x ray phase contrast imaging , tomography , attenuation coefficient , physics , grating , phase contrast microscopy
Potential applications of grating-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging are investigated in various fields due to its compatibility with laboratory X-ray sources. So far the method was mainly restricted to X-ray energies below 40 keV, which is too low to examine dense or thick objects, but a routine operation at higher energies is on the brink of realisation. In this study, imaging results obtained at 82 keV are presented. These comprise a test object consisting of well-defined materials for a quantitative analysis and a tooth to translate the findings to a biomedical sample. Measured linear attenuation coefficients ? and electron densities ?e are in good agreement with theoretical values. Improved contrast-to-noise ratios were found in phase contrast compared to attenuation contrast. The combination of both contrast modalities further enables to simultaneously assess information on density and composition of materials with effective atomic numbers Z? > 8. In our biomedical example, we demonstrate the possibility to detect differences in mass density and calcium concentration within teeth.