The application of algebraic reconstruction techniques in X-ray refraction contrast CT

Abstract

X-ray refraction contrast CT is the computer tomography based on phase contrast. When the biological samples are taken from organs or tissues，X-ray refraction contrast CT provides more internal subtle details compared with conventional absorption CT images and it is considered a novel and very promising imaging technique. The iterative and analytical algorithms are the two main strategies in computer tomography. In the field of X-ray refraction contrast CT several analytical algorithms have been reported in the past. However the algorithm using iterative method have not been proposed. In this study，we tested the application of iterative algorithm in X-ray refraction contrast CT image reconstruction，investigated the influence of the order in which data are accessed in algebraic reconstruction techniques，and satisfactory CT images were obtained. Our data demonstrated that when biological samples are imaged or the complete projective data are not available，our iterative algorithm showed significant advantage over the analytical algorithms. It effectively reduces the number of the projection data，exposure time，as well as the radiation damage to the biology samples.