Abstract: The X-ray imaging apparatus to form a phase contrast image includes an X-ray source that generates X-rays to emit the X-rays to an object; an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays having passed through the object to acquire phase contrast image signals on a per energy band basis; and a quantitative data acquirer configured to calculate approximate quantitative data of two or more constituent substances of the object using a relation between the phase contrast image signals on the per energy band basis and quantitative data of the constituent substances, and estimate quantitative data of the constituent substances by iteratively applying a regularization function to the approximate quantitative data.

Abstract: The X-ray imaging apparatus to form a phase contrast image includes an X-ray source that generates X-rays to emit the X-rays to an object; an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays having passed through the object to acquire phase contrast image signals on a per energy band basis; and a quantitative data acquirer configured to calculate approximate quantitative data of two or more constituent substances of the object using a relation between the phase contrast image signals on the per energy band basis and quantitative data of the constituent substances, and estimate quantitative data of the constituent substances by iteratively applying a regularization function to the approximate quantitative data.

Abstract: A phase-contrast imaging apparatus for imaging an object, comprising a radiation source, a first diffracting optical element located to receive radiation from the source, a second diffracting optical element located after the first optical element, a spatially resolving detector for detecting radiation from the source that has propagated through the object and been diffracted sequentially by the first optical element and the second optical element and an actuator for providing a relative translation of the first and second optical elements with respect to and across a propagation direction of radiation transmitted from the source to the detector. The actuator provides the relative translations of the first and second optical element at respectively a first speed and a second speed that is the first speed times a magnification factor of the apparatus.

Abstract: X-ray generation apparatus including an elongated target body and a mount from which the body projects to a tip remote from the mount. The target body includes a substance that, on being irradiated by a beam of electrons of suitable energy directed onto the target body from laterally of the elongate target body, generates a source of x-ray radiation from a volume of interaction of the electron beam with the target body. The mount provides a heat sink for the target body.

Abstract: X-ray generation apparatus including an elongated target body and a mount from which the body projects to a tip remote from the mount. The target body includes a substance that, on being irradiated by a beam of electrons of suitable energy directed onto the target body from laterally of the elongate target body, generates a source of x-ray radiation from a volume of interaction of the electron beam with the target body. The mount provides a heat sink for the target body.

Abstract: X-ray generation apparatus including an elongated target body and a mount from which the body projects to a tip remote from the mount. The target body includes a substance that, on being irradiated by a beam of electrons of suitable energy directed onto the target body from laterally of the elongate target body, generates a source of x-ray radiation from a volume of interaction of the electron beam with the target body. The mount provides a heat sink for the target body.

Abstract: A method of obtaining in image of the phase change introduced by an object in penetrating radiation incident on the object includes irradiating the object with penetrating radiation having high lateral spatial coherence, and receiving at least a portion of the radiation at a detector after the radiation has merged from the object and thereby obtaining and storing at least two intensity records for the received radiation each including intensity values at predetermined intervals. These values are utilized to derive a grid of values defining an image of the phase change introduced by the object in the penetrating radiation. The intensity records are obtained at a uniform finite distance after the radiation has emerged from the object, and are for respective different energy distributions of the detected radiation. Apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample cell for use in x-ray imaging, including structure defining a chamber for a sample and, mounted to said structure, a body of a substance excitable by an appropriate incident beam to generate x-ray radiation, the cell being arranged so that, in use, at least a portion of the x-ray radiation traverses said chamber to irradiate the sample therein and thereafter exits the structure for detection.

Abstract: A method of obtaining in image of the phase change introduced by an object in penetrating radiation incident on the object includes irradiating the object with penetrating radiation having high lateral spatial coherence, and receiving at least a portion of the radiation at a detector after the radiation has merged from the object and thereby obtaining and storing at least two intensity records for the received radiation each including intensity values at predetermined intervals. These values are utilized to derive a grid of values defining an image of the phase change introduced by the object in the penetrating radiation. The intensity records are obtained at a uniform finite distance after the radiation has emerged from the object, and are for respective different energy distributions of the detected radiation. Apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample cell for use in x-ray imaging, including structure defining a chamber for a sample and, mounted to said structure, a body of a substance excitable by an appropriate incident beam to generate x-ray radiation, the cell being arranged so that, in use, at least a portion of the x-ray radiation traverses said chamber to irradiate the sample therein and thereafter exits the structure for detection.

Abstract: A method of obtaining in image of the phase change introduced by an object in penetrating radiation incident on the object includes irradiating the object with penetrating radiation having high lateral spatial coherence, and receiving at least a portion of the radiation at a detector after the radiation has merged from the object and thereby obtaining and storing at least two intensity records for the received radiation each including intensity values at predetermined intervals. These values are utilized to derive a grid of values defining an image of the phase change introduced by the object in the penetrating radiation. The intensity records are obtained at a uniform finite distance after the radiation has emerged from the object, and are for respective different energy distributions of the detected radiation. Apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an image of a boundary of an object, the boundary representing a refractive index variation, the method including irradiating the boundary with penetrating radiation having high lateral spatial coherence and a propagation component transverse to the refraction index variation, and receiving at least a portion of the radiation on an image plane so as to form the image, the radiation having been refracted by the boundary such that the boundary is represented on the image by a corresponding intensity variation. Additionally, the method may also include processing the image to resolve weaker variations.

Abstract: A sample cell for use in x-ray imaging, including structure defining a chamber for a sample and, mounted to the structure, a body of a substance excitable by an appropriate incident beam to generate x-ray radiation, the cell being arranged so that, in use, at least a portion of the x-ray radiation traverses the chamber to irradiate the sample therein and thereafter exits the structure for detection.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an image of a boundary of an object, the boundary representing a refractive index variation, the method including irradiating the boundary with penetrating radiation having high lateral spatial coherence and a propagation component transverse to the refraction index variation, and receiving at least a portion of the radiation on an image plane so as to form the image, the radiation having been refracted by the boundary such that the boundary is represented on the image by a corresponding intensity variation.