Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for generating X-ray imaging data. It is described to position (210) a first grating between an X-ray source and a second grating. The second grating is positioned (220) between the first grating and a third grating. A third grating is positioned (230) between the second grating and an X-ray detector. An object is positioned (240) between the first grating and the third grating. At least one of the three gratings has a pitch attribute of having a constant grating pitch. At least one of the three gratings has a pitch attribute of having a varying grating pitch. Both gratings of an adjacent pair of gratings are bent such that a distance between the two adjacent gratings is constant as a function of fan angle. Both gratings of the adjacent pair of gratings that are bent have the same pitch attribute. An X-ray detector detects (250) at least some of the X-rays transmitted by the three gratings and the object.

Abstract: A detection scheme for x-ray small angle scattering is described. An x-ray small angle scattering apparatus may include a first grating and a complementary second grating. The first grating includes a plurality of first grating cells. The complementary second grating includes a plurality of second grating cells. The second grating is positioned relative to the first grating. A configuration of the first grating, a configuration of the second grating and the relative positioning of the gratings are configured to pass one or more small angle scattered photons and to block one or more Compton scattered photons and one or more main x-ray photons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for active grating position tracking in X-ray differential phase contrast imaging and dark-field imaging. The alignment of at least one grating positioned in an X-ray imaging device is measured by illuminating a reflection area located on the grating with a light beam, and detecting a reflection pattern of the light beam reflected by the reflection area. The reflection pattern is compared with a reference pattern corresponding to an alignment optimized for X-ray differential phase contrast imaging, and the X-ray imaging device is controlled upon the comparison of the reflection pattern and the reference pattern.

Abstract: An X-ray image generation device includes a moving mechanism that moves an object relative to a grating part in a direction crossing X-rays emitted toward the grating part. The grating part includes N (2?N) regions along the direction of movement by the moving mechanism. A cyclic direction of a grating structure in each of the plurality of gratings belonging to an ith (1?i?N?1) region out of the N regions and a cyclic direction of a grating structure in each of the plurality of gratings belonging to an (i+1)th region out of the N regions are different directions. The plurality of gratings are configured so that moiré interference fringes generated in the N regions have a cyclic intensity fluctuation measurable by the detector and of at least one cycle or more in the direction of movement by the moving mechanism.

Abstract: The X-ray phase imaging apparatus includes an imaging system, a position switching mechanism for switching between a retracted position and an imaging position, a control unit for controlling switching between the retracted position and the imaging position, and an image processing unit for generating an X-ray phase contrast image based on the first image and the second image. The control unit is configured to control sequentially imaging at the retracted position and imaging at the imaging position.

Abstract: The X-ray phase imaging apparatus includes an imaging system, a position switching mechanism for switching between a retracted position and an imaging position, a control unit for controlling switching between the retracted position and the imaging position, and an image processing unit for generating an X-ray phase contrast image based on the first image and the second image. The control unit is configured to control sequentially imaging at the retracted position and imaging at the imaging position.

Abstract: A detection scheme for x-ray small angle scattering is described. An x-ray small angle scattering apparatus may include a first grating and a complementary second grating. The first grating includes a plurality of first grating cells. The complementary second grating includes a plurality of second grating cells. The second grating is positioned relative to the first grating. A configuration of the first grating, a configuration of the second grating and the relative positioning of the grating are configured to pass one or more small angle scattered photons and to block one or more Compton scattered photons and one or more main x-ray photons.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a phase grating overlying a two-dimensional array of pixels, which may be thermally sensitive pixels for use in infrared imaging. The phase grating comprises a two-dimensional array of identical subgratings that define a system of Cartesian coordinates. The subgrating and pixel arrays are sized and oriented such that the pixels are evenly distributed with respect to the row and column intersections of the subgratings. The location of each pixel thus maps to a unique location beneath a virtual archetypical subgrating. Portions of the phase grating extend beyond the edges of the pixels array to interference pattern in support of Fourier-domain imaging.

Abstract: The X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a plurality of gratings including an X-ray source and a first grating, a detector, a grating rotation mechanism for rotating a plurality of gratings respectively, and an image processor for generating at least a dark field image. The image processor is configured to generate a dark field image captured by arranging the grating at a plurality of angles in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction.

Abstract: This X-ray phase-contrast imaging apparatus is equipped with a plurality of gratings and grating holders for holding the plurality of gratings. The plurality of gratings is arranged such that the extending direction of grating components of the plurality of gratings is oriented in a direction in which the positional displacement due to the grating holder becomes maximum in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the X-ray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for X-ray imaging an object. It is described to provide (20) data relating to the detection of X-rays, wherein an X-ray detector is configured to be positioned relative to an X-ray source such that at least a part of a region between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector is an examination region for accommodating an object. An X-ray interferometer arrangement is configured to be positioned relative to the examination region. At least one X-ray dark field factor and at least one transmission factor are determined for the X-ray radiation transmitted through at least part of the object is determined. An intensity of X-ray radiation to be emitted towards the at least part of the object is controlled as a function of the determined at least one dark field factor and the determined at least one transmission factor.

Abstract: The radiation phase contrast imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source, a first grating, a second grating arranged between the X-ray source and the first grating, and a moving mechanism for moving an object stage for holding an object. The moving mechanism is configured to more the object stage to an X-ray source side of the first grating and a second grating side of the first grating opposite to the source side of the first grating.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system including: an X-ray Talbot imaging apparatus which is provided with an object table, an X-ray source, a plurality of gratings, and an X-ray detector side by side in a direction of an X-ray radiation axis, and irradiates the X-ray detector with an X-ray from the X-ray source through an object and the plurality of gratings to obtain a moire image required for forming a reconstruction image of the object; and an object housing inside which the object is housed and an environmental condition independent of an external environment is set, wherein the object housing is provided detachably with respect to the object table.

Abstract: The X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with an X-ray source, a plurality of gratings including a first grating and a second grating, a detector, a rotation mechanism for relatively rotating a subject including a fiber bundle and an imaging system, and an image processor for generating a dark field image. The image processor is configured to obtain a three-dimensional dark field image of the subject including at least the fiber bundle from a plurality of dark field images captured at a plurality of rotation angles.

Abstract: This X-ray phase imaging apparatus is provided with a control unit that acquires information on a defect of a material based on a dark field image of the material.

Abstract: A Talbot imaging apparatus includes a radiation source, a plurality of gratings, a capturing control unit, a radiation detector, a setting unit and an irradiation control unit. The radiation source irradiates radiation. The capturing control unit relatively shifts the plurality of gratings and performs control of capturing a plurality of Moire images of a subject to generate a reconstructed image. The radiation detector acquires a captured Moire image. The setting unit sets a capturing condition for capturing a second and further Moire images by making a capturing result of a first Moire image be a reference, or sets a capturing condition for the plurality of Moire images by making another Moire image captured before capturing the plurality of Moire images be a reference. The irradiation control unit controls irradiation of radiation from the radiation source based on the capturing condition set by the setting unit.

Abstract: X-ray scattering imaging can provide complementary information about the unresolved microstructures of a sample. The scattering signal can be accessed with various methods based on coherent illumination, which span from self-imaging to speckle scanning. The directional sensitivity of the existing methods is limited to a few directions on the imaging plane and it requires the scanning of the optical components, or the rotation of either the sample or the imaging setup, if the full range of possible scattering directions is desired. A new arrangement is provided that allows the simultaneous acquisition of the scattering images in all possible directions in a single shot. This is achieved by a specialized phase grating and a device for recording the generated interference fringe with sufficient spatial resolution. The technique decouples the sample dark-field signal with the sample orientation, which can be crucial for medical and industrial applications.

Abstract: A grating based interferometric X-ray imaging apparatus having an interferometer (IF). The interferometer comprises at least one grating (G1). The grating (G1) is tiltable relative to an optical axis of the X-ray imaging apparatus. This allows changing a design energy of the X-ray imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector arrangement (10) for X-ray phase contrast tomo-synthesis imaging, a line detector (1) for X-ray phase contrast tomo-synthesis imaging, an imaging system (24) for X-ray phase contrast tomo-synthesis imaging, a method for X-ray phase contrast tomo-synthesis imaging, and a computer program element for controlling such arrangement and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The X-ray detector arrangement (10) comprises several line detectors (1). Each line detector (1) is configured to detect a Moiré pattern in at least a portion of an X-ray beam (2) impacting such line detector (1). Each line detector (1) comprises several detector lines (11), wherein a width W of each line detector (1) equals one period or an integer multiple of the period of the Moiré pattern.

Abstract: Among the existent X-ray phase-contrast modalities, grating interferometry appears as a promising technique for commercial applications, since it is compatible with conventional X-ray tubes. However, since applications such as medical imaging and homeland security demand covering a considerable field of view, the fabrication of challenging and expensive large-area gratings would be needed. A scanning setup is a good solution, because it uses cheaper line detectors instead of large-area 2D detectors and would require smaller gratings. In this setup, the phase-retrieval using the conventional phase-stepping approach would be slow, so having a faster method to record the signals becomes fundamental. To tackle this problem, a scanning-mode grating interferometer configuration is used, in which a grating is tilted to form Moire fringes perpendicular to the grating lines. The sample is then translated along the fringes, so each line detector records a different phase step for each slice of the sample.

Abstract: The grating device (1) for an X-ray imaging device comprises a grating arrangement (10) and an actuation arrangement (20). The grating arrangement (10) comprises a plurality of grating segments (11). The actuation arrangement (20) is configured to move the plurality of grating segments (11) with at least a rotational component between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the grating segments (11) are arranged in the path of an X-ray beam (30), so that the grating segments (11) influence portions of the X-ray beam (30). In the second position, the grating segments (11) are arranged outside the portions of the path of an X-ray beam (30), so that the portions of the X-ray beam (30) are unaffected by the grating segments (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to X-ray imaging. In order to improve flexibility, for example in relation with phase-contrast imaging, the X-ray imaging device (10) comprises an X-ray source arrangement for providing an X-ray beam (11). Further, it is provided at least one grating (13, 14) and a line detector (15) with a plurality of sensor lines, which sensor lines are each provided by a plurality of sensor elements, and which sensor lines are provided for detecting respective portions of the X-ray beam (11) passing the at least one grating during operation. The X-ray imaging device is arranged for moving the line detector (15) and an object (21) to be imaged relative to each other, such that in response to the portions of the X-ray beam a number of interference patterns are detectable at respective different relative positions of the line detector and the object for reconstructing an image of the object (21).

Abstract: A method and an x-ray apparatus for interferometric 2D x-ray imaging, use a Talbot-Lau interferometer having at least one phase grating and an analysis grating for producing 2D images of an object to be examined using a phase stepping method. A stepwise readout of a detector is carried out continuously at a multiplicity of the phase positions of an interference pattern. Time sequences of readout interval data records which overlap in time are extracted from the readout data records, and at least one result image data record is calculated from an absorption image and/or a phase-contrast image and/or a dark-field image from each readout interval data record.

Abstract: An X-ray device and a supplementary system are provided for interferometric X-ray imaging of a patient on the X-ray device in order to generate projective absorption recordings. An emitter-detector system includes a focus-forming X-ray tube and a digital flat-panel detector having a multiplicity of pixel-generating detector elements. A computer system has a program memory. A mobile grating attachment includes a first interferometric X-ray grating, a second interferometric X-ray grating disposed at a distance from the first X-ray grating in the radiation direction, and a displacement device for displacing the second X-ray grating in the plane of the second X-ray grating in steps over at least one detector element.

Abstract: An image processing method for generating a phase image includes generating a phase image on the basis of a differential image in a first direction based on image information of a subject and a differential image in a second direction different from the first direction, the second-direction differential image including information about a difference between signal values of pixels arranged side by side in the second direction in the first-direction differential image.

Abstract: A medical image system includes an X-ray imaging device with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer, a reconstructed image generation unit, an extraction unit, a feature value calculation unit and a determination unit. The generation unit generates, among a differential phase image, an absorption image and a small-angle scattering image, at least the differential phase image based on an image signal obtained by the X-ray imaging device imaging a joint part. The extraction unit extracts a joint cartilage region based on the differential phase image. The calculation unit analyzes the joint cartilage region to calculate a feature value indicating a joint cartilage state. The determination unit compares the feature value with a predetermined reference value and determines, based on the comparison result, into which one of predetermined scores of multiple stages the joint cartilage state falls.

Abstract: An X-ray Talbot capturing apparatus is shown. A radiation source irradiates radiation through a plurality of gratings. A radiation detector captures a moire image. A holder which holds the gratings includes a receiving unit including a receiving surface with a curve and a pressing unit including a pressing surface with a curve. Each grating is held between the receiving surface and the pressing surface and bent in an arc shape with a point of the radiation source as a center. An elastic member is positioned between a first surface of the grating and the pressing surface or a second surface of the grating opposite of the first surface and the receiving surface. An opening is provided in the holder and the elastic member so as not to block radiation irradiated on the grating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grating device for phase contrast and/or dark-field imaging of a movable object, an interferometer unit, a phase contrast and/or dark-field imaging system, a phase contrast and/or dark-field imaging method, a computer program element for controlling such device and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The grating device comprises a grating unit, an actuation unit, a motion detecting unit, and a control unit. The actuation unit is configured to position the grating unit in different sampling positions relative to the moveable object. The motion detecting unit is configured to detect a motion of the movable object. The detected motion of the moveable object may be a repetitive motion. The control unit is configured to control the actuation unit to position the grating unit in the different sampling positions based on the detected motion of the movable object.

Abstract: A method and system to determine material composition of an object comprises capturing a series of digital radiographic images of the object using a single exposure energy level. An intensity of the captured images is determined as well as phase shift differences. A difference in material composition of the object may be determined based on a combination of the determined intensity and the modulated phase shifts of the captured images.

Abstract: A radiation imaging system capable of obtaining excellent image quality is provided.

Abstract: An accurate non-destructive inspection of a moving subject is conducted using a radiation source unit that irradiates radioactive rays toward gratings. Each grating includes a plurality of grating members. A radioactive ray detector unit detects the radioactive rays diffracted by the plurality of grating members. The plurality of grating members are arranged with a predetermined phase difference such that moiré pattern images respectively formed by the radioactive rays transmitted through first to third partial areas have a phase difference between the moiré pattern images.

Abstract: An x-ray interferometric imaging system in which the x-ray source comprises a target having a plurality of structured coherent sub-sources of x-rays embedded in a thermally conducting substrate. The system additionally comprises a beam-splitting grating G1 that establishes a Talbot interference pattern, which may be a ? phase-shifting grating, and an x-ray detector to convert two-dimensional x-ray intensities into electronic signals. The system may also comprise a second analyzer grating G2 that may be placed in front of the detector to form additional interference fringes, a means to translate the second grating G2 relative to the detector. The system may additionally comprise an antiscattering grid to reduce signals from scattered x-rays. Various configurations of dark-field and bright-field detectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes acquiring a differential phase contrast imaging X-ray scan with an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a grating arrangement having a source grating, a phase grating and an analyzer grating. The source grating is misaligned in respect to an interferometer such that moiré fringes are detectable in the plane of the detector. A translation signal is computed for translating the source grating for achieving a predetermined moiré pattern. The positioning of the source grating is adjusted in an X-ray projection direction based on the translation signal such that at least 2 pi of phase changes are covered with the Moiré fringes over the width of the detector. And a further differential phase contrast imaging X-ray scan is acquired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grating arrangement and a method for spectral filtering of an X-ray beam (B), the grating arrangement comprising: a dispersive element (10) comprising a prism configured to diffract the X-ray beam (B) into a first beam component (BC1) comprising a first direction (D1) and a second beam component comprising (BC2) a second direction (D2), tilted with respect to the first direction; a first grating (20) configured to generate a first diffraction pattern (DP1) of the first beam component (BC1) and a second diffraction pattern (DP2) of the second beam component (BC2), the second diffraction pattern (DP2) shifted with respect to the first diffraction patter (DP1); and a second grating (30) comprising at least one opening (31) which is aligned along a line (d) from a maximum (MA) to a minimum (MI) of intensity of the first diffraction pattern (DP1) or of the second diffraction pattern (DP2).

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an X-ray Talbot imaging apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The X-ray Talbot imaging apparatus includes a controller which generates reconstructed image(s) including at least a differential phase image from image signals of an imaged subject. The image processing apparatus measures the thickness of cartilage in the joint in the differential phase image or an image generated from the differential phase image, by reference to at least one of i) an edge of a bone in the joint identified in a reconstructed image or an image generated from the reconstructed image and ii) an edge of the cartilage identified in the differential phase image or the image generated from the differential phase image.

Abstract: A structural body, comprising: a resin layer with a curved surface; a first bonding layer containing a water-soluble polymer; a second bonding layer having a hydrogen-bonding surface; and a gold layer in this order, the first bonding layer being between, and in contact with, the curved surface of the resin layer and the hydrogen-bonding surface of the second bonding layer.

Abstract: A method, for examining an object using an X-ray recording system, includes aligning the object in the X-ray beam and the X-ray recording system with one another such that regions in the X-ray beam are uncovered for measurement of a free field. During an X-ray image recording, the components are moved relative to one another with a lateral displacement. In a position of the relative lateral displacement of the components, a reference image containing free fields is recorded. The X-ray image recording is generated from partial images during the displacement and the position of the second component relative to the first component is determined for each partial recording such that the displacement distances of the displacements and the reference phases are calculated from a selected set of pixels and the measured intensity values thereof. Finally, the image information is determined from the partial images, the displacements and the reference phases.

Abstract: A method, for examining an object using an X-ray recording system, includes during an X-ray image recording, moving components relative to one another with the lateral displacement by displacement distances. The method includes generating the X-ray image recording during the displacement from n partial images, so that the total exposure time of the X-ray image recording is made up from a sum of partial exposure times. In each of the partial images, the intensity is determined in each pixel. The position of the second component relative to the first component is determined for each recording of the partial images. Finally, the image information is determined from the partial images and the displacements.

Abstract: An Anode for an X-ray tube, comprising an anode disk comprising a circular focal track region being adapted to, upon impact of accelerated electrons, emit X-rays in an emission direction transverse to an impacting direction of the electrons; a ring-like modulating absorption grid; wherein the modulating absorption grid encloses the focal track region; wherein the modulating absorption grid comprises wall portions of X-ray absorbing material, the wall portions being arranged such as to absorb X-rays emitted from the focal track region in the emission direction; wherein the modulating absorption grid comprises slits between neighboring wall portions, the slits being arranged along a circumferential direction of the modulating absorption grid at spacings (s) of less than 100 ?m and the slits having a width (ws) in the circumferential direction of less than 50 ?m.

Abstract: An arrangement for inverse x-ray phase contrast imaging includes a photon-counting x-ray detector and a multibeam x-ray tube. Focal points of the x-ray tube are collimated such that a narrow x-ray beam that is directed toward an optical axis of the arrangement and toward the x-ray detector may be generated. An active surface of the x-ray detector is at least as large as a cross-sectional surface of the narrow x-ray beam. The arrangement also includes a source grating arranged between the x-ray tube and the x-ray detector. The arrangement includes a defraction grating arranged between the source grating and the x-ray detector, and an absorption grating arranged between the defraction grating and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a diffraction grating configured to produce an interference pattern by diffracting diverging light from a light source, an absorption grating configured to block part of the interference pattern, a detector configured to detect light transmitted through the absorption grating, and a moving unit configured to move the diffraction grating and the absorption grating. The moving unit causes relative movement of the interference pattern and the absorption grating by moving the diffraction grating and the absorption grating such that the diffraction grating and the absorption grating are not moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes an X-ray imaging apparatus and an image processor. The X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer and includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a subject table. The image processor generates a differential phase image, and optionally, one or both of an X-ray absorption image and a small-angle scattering image of the subject on the basis of the image signal of the subject. The image processor specifies a location of an edge of a bone in the joint on the basis of at least one of the generated images; and detects an edge of a cartilage in the joint in the differential phase image on the basis of the specified location of the bone edge to quantitatively measure a feature of the cartilage.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging an object to be inspected includes a grating that forms a periodic pattern using an X-ray from an X-ray source and a detector that detects the periodic pattern. In the X-ray imaging apparatus, when ?1 is an angle formed between a first direction, which is a periodic direction of the periodic pattern in a plane that is perpendicular to an optical axis of the X-ray, and a line parallel to an X-ray receiving surface of the detector in the plane, and ?2 is a grazing angle of the X-ray relative to the X-ray receiving surface, 1 sin 2 ? ? 1 ? sin 2 ? ? 2 + cos 2 ? ? 1 > 2 holds. Also in the X-ray imaging apparatus, an angle formed between a surface of the grating and the optical axis of the X-ray is from 45 to 90°.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a diffraction grating that forms an interference pattern by diffracting X-rays emitted from an X-ray source, an absorption grating that shields a portion of the interference pattern, a detector that detects the X-rays emitted from the absorption grating, and a moving unit that changes relative positions of a sample object and the absorption grating. The moving unit changes the relative positions of the sample object and the absorption grating from first relative positions to second relative positions. The detector detects the X-rays at least when the sample object and the absorption grating are at the first relative positions and when the sample object and the absorption grating are at the second relative positions.

Abstract: A phase unwrapping method for image demodulation comprises receiving a plurality of images of a fringe pattern captured by rotating the fringe pattern by a predetermined rotation angle. The method estimates a first wrapped phase value for a portion of a first image of the plurality of images and a second wrapped phase value for a corresponding portion of a second image, and establishes a first plurality of elements associated with the first wrapped phase value. For a candidate element from the first plurality of elements, the method determines a constraining element associated with the candidate element using the second wrapped phase value, where the association is established using the candidate element and the predetermined rotation angle, and unwraps the phase for the portion of at least one of the first and second images using the candidate element based on the determined constraining element.

Abstract: An X-ray arrangement is suitable to record absorption, phase contrast, and dark field images of an object. The visibility of low absorbing specimens is improved and required radiation dose is reduced. The assembly includes an X-ray source; two or more gratings; a position-sensitive detector with spatially modulated detection sensitivity; a recorder for recording the images; an evaluator for evaluating the intensities for each pixel to identify the characteristic of the object for each individual pixel as an absorption and/or a differential phase contrast and/or an x-ray scattering dominated pixel. Images are collected by rotating from 0 to n or 2n either the sample or the assembly. The gratings are produced with planar geometry. The X-rays pass through the gratings parallel to the substrate. The grating structures extend along the X-ray path which determines the phase shift.

Abstract: A medical imaging system creates three kinds of reconstructed images of a diagnosis target site in a subject through X-ray imaging of the diagnosis target site with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau imaging apparatus, the three kinds of reconstructed images being an absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image. The medical imaging system includes: an input unit to receive an input of diagnosis target information for specifying the diagnosis target site, or the diagnosis target site and a disease to be diagnosed in the diagnosis target site; and a control unit to create a combined image of two kinds of reconstructed images among the three kinds of reconstructed images on the basis of the diagnosis target information input through the input unit, and to control a displaying unit to display the combined image.

Abstract: The apparatus includes: an X-ray source a multi slits element a first grating; a second grating; a driving section; a subject placing plate: and an X-ray detector, in which conversion elements to convert intensities of X-rays received thereby to electric signals, are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern so as to read the electric signals as image signals. The driving section moves the multi slits element relative to both the first grating and the second grating in a first direction orthogonal to a second direction of irradiating the X-rays, so that the X-ray detector repeats a processing for reading the electric signals converted from the intensities of X-rays received thereby, every time when the multi slits element moves at predetermined intervals so as to acquire the image signals representing Moire images captured at the predetermined intervals.

Abstract: We disclose an x-ray interferometric imaging system in which the x-ray source comprises a target having a plurality of structured coherent sub-sources of x-rays embedded in a thermally conducting substrate. The system additionally comprises a beam-splitting grating G1 that establishes a Talbot interference pattern, which may be a ? phase-shifting grating, and an x-ray detector to convert two-dimensional x-ray intensities into electronic signals. The system may also comprise a second analyzer grating G2 that may be placed in front of the detector to form additional interference fringes, and a means to translate the second grating G2 relative to the detector. In some embodiments, the structures are microstructures with lateral dimensions measured on the order of microns, and with a thickness on the order of one half of the electron penetration depth within the substrate. In some embodiments, the structures are formed within a regular array.

Abstract: An imaging system (200) is configured for grating-based DPCI. The imaging system includes a rotating gantry (204) that rotates around an examination region, a radiation source (208), supported by the rotating gantry, that emits radiation that traverses the examination region, a detector array (212), supported by the rotating gantry, that detects radiation that traverses the examination region, and an interferometer, supported by the rotating gantry, which includes a source grating (214), a phase grating (218), and an absorber grating (220). At least one of the phase grating or the absorber grating continuously translates with respect to the other during an integration period and the detector generates and outputs an electrical signal indicative of the detected radiation, wherein the electrical signal includes an absorption component, a coherence component and a phase component.