Open AccessX-ray spatial frequency heterodyne imaging of protein-based nanobubble contrast agents
Author(s) -
Danielle Rand,
Masaki Uchida,
Trevor Douglas,
Christoph Rose-Petruck
Publication year - 2014
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.22.023290
Subject(s) - contrast (vision) , optics , materials science , nanoparticle , spatial frequency , nanomaterials , heterodyne (poetry) , heterodyne detection , phase contrast imaging , nanotechnology , physics , laser , acoustics , phase contrast microscopy
Spatial Frequency Heterodyne Imaging (SFHI) is a novel x-ray scatter imaging technique that utilizes nanoparticle contrast agents. The enhanced sensitivity of this new technique relative to traditional absorption-based x-ray radiography makes it promising for applications in biomedical and materials imaging. Although previous studies on SFHI have utilized only metal nanoparticle contrast agents, we show that nanomaterials with a much lower electron density are also suitable. We prepared protein-based "nanobubble" contrast agents that are comprised of protein cage architectures filled with gas. Results show that these nanobubbles provide contrast in SFHI comparable to that of gold nanoparticles of similar size.