Optimization of grating designs for x-ray differential phase contrast imaging

Abstract

The demonstration of x-ray differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging with a grating interferometer based setup using both synchrotron sources 1 and conventional low-brilliance x-ray tubes 2 has led to much research interest within the medical imaging community. DPC imaging provides an opportunity to exploit new contrast mechanisms, and the corresponding computed tomography (CT) imaging potentially allows higher spatial resolution imaging at lower radiation dose than conventional absorption imaging. 3 Grating interferometer based methods ease implementation of the method through the use of clinically viable components, e.g., standard x-ray tubes and detectors.