Mammography imaging studies using a Laue crystal analyzer

Abstract

Synchrotron-based mammography imaging experiments have been performed with monochromatic x-rays in which a Laue crystal placed after the object being imaged has been used to split the beam transmitted through the object. The X27C R&D beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source was used with the white beam monochromatized by a double crystal Si(111) monochromator tuned to 18 keV. The imaging beam was a thin horizontal line approximately 0.5 mm high by 100 mm wide. Images were acquired in line scan mode with the phantom and detector both scanned together. The detector for these experiments was an image plate. A thin Si(111) Laue analyzer was used to diffract a portion of the beam transmitted through the phantom before the image plate detector. This ‘‘scatter free’’ diffracted beam was then recorded on the image plate during the phantom scan. Since the thin Laue crystal also transmitted a fraction of the incident beam, this beam was also simultaneously recorded on the image plate. The imaging results are interpreted in terms of an x-ray schliere or refractive index inhomogeneities. The analyzer images taken at various points in the rocking curve will be presented.