X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging Technique Research Articles

Ball Motion and Near-Field Spray Characteristics of a Gasoline Direct Injection Injector using an X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging Technique under High-Injection Pressures

The purpose of this study is to visualize the ball (needle) motion and near-field spray characteristics of a gasoline direct injection injector under different injection conditions and analyze the effect of the internal structure of the injector on the ball motion, near-field spray velocity, and post-injection process. The injection pressure is set to 10MPa, 20 MPa, and 30 MPa, and the energization duration is fixed at 1.5 ms. An advanced X-ray technique with high transmittance and low scattering, is used to visualize the internal structure and near-field spray characteristics of the injector, which is impossible with general light sources. The ball is found to tilt to the right in the Y-axial direction during stable motion because the driving force of fuel on the ball is larger on the left side owing to the larger distance of the ball from the left wall. In addition, during stable motion, the near-field velocity of a hole with a smaller inlet angle is significantly higher than that of a hole with a larger inlet angle. The hole with a smaller inlet angle display better atomization characteristics during the post-injection process under all values of injection pressure.

Material decomposition from a single x-ray projection via single-grid phase contrast imaging.

This study describes a new approach for material decomposition in x-ray imaging, utilizing phase contrast both to increase sensitivity to weakly attenuating samples and to act as a complementary measurement to attenuation, therefore allowing two overlaid materials to be separated. The measurements are captured using the single-exposure, single-grid x-ray phase contrast imaging technique, with a novel correction that aims to remove propagation-based phase effects seen at sharp edges in the attenuation image. The use of a single-exposure technique means that images can be collected in a high-speed sequence. Results are shown for both a known two-material sample and for a biological specimen.

The effect of loading direction on the fracture behaviors of cortical bone at a dynamic loading rate

In this study, the dynamic cracking processes in porcine cortical bone were visualized in real-time using the high-speed synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast imaging (PCI) technique in three osteon orientations: in-plane transverse, out-of-plane transverse and in-plane longitudinal. The dynamic flexural loading applied on the pre-notched bone specimens was introduced by a modified Kolsky compression bar. High-speed X-ray images of the entire loading events were documented with a high-speed camera. Three-dimensional X-ray micro-computed tomography was conducted to examine the intact microstructures and obtain the basic material properties of the bone material used for mechanical characterizations. The onset location, where crack initiated, and the subsequent direction, along which the incipient crack propagated, were measured quantitatively using the high-speed X-ray images and the latter was found dependent on the osteon direction significantly. The crack propagation velocities were dependent on crack extension over the entire crack path significantly for all the three directions while the initial velocity for in-plane longitudinal direction was lower than the other two directions. Straight-through crack paths were observed for in-plane longitudinal specimens while the cracks were deflected and twisted in the in-plane transverse direction. For out-of-plane transverse direction, the cracks follow paths with tortuosity fall in between the other two directions, showing a mixed mode of fractures of the former two extreme cases. The toughening mechanisms, visualized by the high-speed X-ray images, and the corresponding fracture toughness, evaluated in terms of fracture initiation toughness and crack growth resistance curve (R-curve), were also found significantly different among the three osteon directions, suggesting an overall transition from brittle to ductile-like fracture behaviors at the dynamic displacement rate (5.4 m/s) as the osteon orientation varies from in-plane longitudinal to out-of-plane transverse, and to in-plane transverse eventually.

Spectral X-ray phase contrast imaging with a CdTe photon-counting detector

The present study focuses on the implementation of two X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) techniques: free-space propagation (FSP) and single mask edge illumination (SM-EI) with a microfocus polychromatic X-ray source and a Timepix3 photon-counting detector with a CdTe sensor. This detector offers high spatial resolution, high detection efficiency and it is able to simultaneously record information about Time-over-Threshold (ToT) and Time-of-Arrival (ToA) for each X-ray photon. All these features play a key role in enabling an improvement of XPCI image quality, especially through spectral analysis, since it is possible to measure the energy of each incident X-ray photon. Measurements of phase contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) are presented for different energy bins within the typical spectrum of soft X-ray imaging. It is shown that a significant enhancement of XPCI image quality can be obtained, for both implemented techniques, by performing pixel clustering to correct for charge sharing and by introducing some degree of energy-weighting.

Spray formation mechanism of diverging-tapered-hole GDI injector and its potentials for GDI engine applications

The gasoline-direct-injection injector adopting the diverging-tapered-hole nozzle has appeared in the market recently, which has shown the improved spray atomization and lower engine particulate emissions compared to conventional straight-hole nozzles. However, the near-nozzle spray formation mechanism associated with this atomization potential of the diverging-tapered-hole nozzle has not been thoroughly clarified due to the difficulties in the near-field flow observation. The current study compares the in- and near-nozzle flow characteristics of the straight-hole and diverging-tapered-hole GDI nozzles using X-ray phase-contrast and absorption imaging techniques to unravel engaged mechanisms and discuss the potentials of the diverging-tapered-hole nozzle for GDI engine applications. The analyses focus on the in- and near-nozzle flow structure, and flow dynamics and stability outside the nozzle. The results showed that the diverging-tapered-hole nozzle coupled with proper hole length generated the radially expanding crescent-moon-like flow structure in the hole that promoted the spray atomization and dispersion outside the nozzle. The expansion of the hole cross-sectional area in the diverging-tapered-hole nozzle was appeared to attenuate the mutual interactions of fuel flows in the hole from various origins that formed rather stable sprays. These flow characteristics are discussed to be promising for the compact and robust spray generation for GDI engine applications.

Quantitative phase contrast imaging of a shock-wave with a laser-plasma based X-ray source

X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) is more sensitive to density variations than X-ray absorption radiography, which is a crucial advantage when imaging weakly-absorbing, low-Z materials, or steep density gradients in matter under extreme conditions. Here, we describe the application of a polychromatic X-ray laser-plasma source (duration ~0.5 ps, photon energy >1 keV) to the study of a laser-driven shock travelling in plastic material. The XPCI technique allows for a clear identification of the shock front as well as of small-scale features present during the interaction. Quantitative analysis of the compressed object is achieved using a density map reconstructed from the experimental data.

Intrinsic spatial resolution limit of the analyzer-based X-ray phase contrast imaging technique

Dynamical diffraction effects always play a role when working with perfect single crystals. The penetration of X-rays respect to the surface normal during diffraction (extinction depth - 1/σe) in perfect single crystals does not have a constant value. The value changes for different angular positions on the crystal diffraction condition. For higher X-ray energies this value can change from few micrometers to tens of millimeters for each different crystal angular position in the small angular range of the diffraction condition. This effect may spread a single point in the object (sample) as a line in the image detector, especially if the crystal is set (or if the sample angularly deviates the beam) at lower diffraction angle positions, where the surface component of X-ray penetration can achieve huge values. Then, for imaging experiments where the dynamical diffraction occurs, such intrinsic property can affect the image resolution. We have modeled and experimentally checked such a dynamical diffraction property using, as example, an Analyzer-based X-ray phase contrast imaging setup (ABI) at two different X-ray energies: 10.7 keV and 18 keV. The results show that our theoretical model is consistent with the measured results. For higher energies the blur effect is enhanced and intrinsically limits the image spatial resolution.

Magnetic-Sensitive Nanoparticle Self-Assembled Superhydrophobic Biopolymer-Coated Slow-Release Fertilizer: Fabrication, Enhanced Performance, and Mechanism.

Although commercialized slow-release fertilizers coated with petrochemical polymers have revolutionarily promoted agricultural production, more research should be devoted to developing superhydrophobic biopolymer coatings with superb slow-release ability from sustainable and ecofriendly biomaterials. To inform the development of the superhydrophobic biopolymer-coated slow-release fertilizers (SBSF), the slow-release mechanism of SBSF needs to be clarified. Here, the SBSF with superior slow-release performance, water tolerance, and good feasibility for large-scale production was self-assembly fabricated using a simple, solvent-free process. The superhydrophobic surfaces of SBSF with uniformly dispersed Fe3O4 superhydrophobic magnetic-sensitive nanoparticles (SMNs) were self-assembly constructed with the spontaneous migration of Fe3O4 SMNs toward the outermost surface of the liquid coating materials ( i.e., pig fat based polyol and polymethylene polyphenylene isocyanate in a mass ratio 1.2:1) in a magnetic field during the reaction-curing process. The results revealed that SBSF showed longer slow-release longevity (more than 100 days) than those of unmodified biopolymer-coated slow-release fertilizers and excellent durable properties under various external environment conditions. The governing slow-release mechanism of SBSF was clarified by directly observing the atmosphere cushion on the superhydrophobic biopolymer coating using the synchrotron radiation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging technique. Liquid water only contacts the top of the bulges of the solid surface (10.9%), and air pockets are trapped underneath the liquid (89.1%). The atmosphere cushion allows the slow diffusion of water vapor into the internal urea core of SBSF, which can decrease the nutrient release and enhance the slow-release ability. This self-assembly synthesis of SBSF through the magnetic interaction provides a strategy to fabricate not only ecofriendly biobased slow-release fertilizers but also other superhydrophobic materials for various applications.

Phantom-Based Feasibility Studies on Phase-Contrast Mammography at Indian Synchrotron Facility Indus-2.

Introduction:Use of synchrotron radiation (SR) X-ray source in medical imaging has shown great potential for improving soft-tissue image contrast such as the breast. The present study demonstrates quantitative X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) technique derived from propagation-dependent phase change observed in the breast tissue-equivalent test materials.Materials and Methods:Indian synchrotron facility (Indus-2, Raja Ramanna Centre of Advanced Technology [RRCAT]) was used to carry out phantom feasibility study on phase-contrast mammography. Different phantoms and samples, including locally fabricated breast tissue-equivalent phantoms were used to perform absorption and phase mode imaging using 12 and 16 keV SR X-ray beam. Edge-enhancement index (EEI) and edge enhancement to noise ratio (EE/N) were measured for all the images. Absorbed dose to air values were calculated for 12 and 16 keV SR X-ray beam using the measured SR X-ray photon flux at the object plane and by applying the standard radiation dosimetry formalism.Results and Conclusion:It was observed in case of all the phantoms and test samples that EEI and EE/N values are relatively higher for images taken in the phase mode. The absorbed dose to air at imaging plane was found to be 75.59 mGy and 28.9 mGy for 12 and 16 keV SR energies, respectively. However, these dose values can be optimized by reducing the image acquisition time without compromising the image quality when clinical samples are imaged. This work demonstrates the feasibility of XPCI in mammography using 12 and 16 keV SR X-ray beams.

Hole number effect on spray dynamics of multi-hole diesel nozzles: An observation from three- to nine-hole nozzles

For the simplicity of optical diagnostics, studies on fuel spray and combustion characteristics of modern diesel engines have been conducted using the investigation nozzles having the reduced number of holes (two- or three-hole nozzles) compared to the production nozzles. However, the similarity of spray dynamics between the investigation nozzles and production nozzles has not been confirmed yet. Also, the hole-number effect on spray dynamics has been investigated only in a limited range of hole number making it difficult to derive the clear trend and understandings of the hole number effect. In this study, the hole-number effect on spray dynamics of multi-hole diesel nozzles has been investigated in a wide range of hole number with sufficient data points (three, five, six, eight, nine-hole) by using the X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging technique. The non-linear trend in the spray structure, as well as the dynamics results, was observed as increasing the hole number regardless of injection pressure. Discussions were made accordingly to understand the observed result trend. The study suggests that great attention is needed when deciding the number of nozzle holes for the optimized engine combustion.

Validated simulations of dynamic crack propagation in single crystals using EFEM and XFEM

Brittle and quasibrittle materials such as ceramics and geomaterials fail through dynamic crack propagation during impact events. Simulations of such events are important in a number of applications. This paper compares the effectiveness of the embedded finite element method (EFEM) and the extended finite element method (XFEM) in modeling dynamic crack propagation by validating each approach against an impact experiment performed on single crystal quartz together with in-situ imaging of the dynamic fracture using X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI). The experiment is conducted in a Kolsky bar (generating a strain rate on the order of $$10^3\,\text {s}^{-1}$$ ) that is operated at the synchrotron facilities at the advanced photon source (APS). The in situ XPCI technique can record the dynamic crack propagation with micron-scale spatial resolution and sub-microsecond temporal resolution, and the corresponding images are used to extract the time-resolved crack propagation path and velocity. A unified framework is first presented for the dynamic discretization formulations of EFEM and XFEM. This framework clarifies the differences between the two methods in enrichment techniques and numerical solution schemes. In both cases, a cohesive law is used to describe the fracture process after crack initiation. The simulations of the dynamic fracture experiment using the two simulation approaches are compared with the in situ experimental observations and measurements. The performance of each method is discussed with respect to capturing the early crack propagation process.

Alternative edge illumination set-up for single-shot X-ray phase contrast imaging

Edge illumination (EI) is a promising X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) technique and is expected to translate XPCI into practical applications with laboratory X-ray sources. However, traditional double-mask EI setup requires two acquisitions for extracting phase and absorption information. Although the latest single-mask EI setup allows phase retrieval with single-shot, it requires a nearly ideal detector point spread function (PSF). In this paper, an alternative EI setup is proposed, which remains double-mask but requires only a single-shot. It can implement single-shot XPCI and relax the detector requirements. Numerical calculations are carried out to compare the characteristics of the double- and single-mask EI setup and the proposed setup. The performance of this setup with different illumination conditions is evaluated theoretically. The results suggest that the proposed setup is less affected by the detector PSF compared to the single-mask EI setup and therefore has higher contrast and contrast-to-noise ratio. Phase retrieval can be implemented by this setup with a single-shot, which helps to simplify the operations and eliminate the potential errors in the double-mask EI setup. A narrow illumination width contributes to the contrast but adversely affects the radiation utilization efficiency, and some appropriate trade-offs should be selected according to the practical applications and experimental conditions. On the basis of this setup, the extraction of the quantitative phase and absorption information was also conducted by numerical calculation.

Three-dimensional X-ray thermography using phase-contrast imaging

Thermal management is a key technology to desterilize unused energy sources for building sustainable societies. However, conventional temperature measurement methods such as infrared thermography can detect only the surface temperature of objects because they use infrared light. We thus present a novel three-dimensional X-ray thermography using a phase-contrast X-ray imaging technique, which enables non-destructive observations of the inner thermal distribution of samples. The sensitivity of phase-contrast X-ray imaging is about 1000 times higher than that of conventional X-ray imaging. Therefore, temperature changes can be detected by using density changes caused by thermal expansion. We applied X-ray interferometric imaging (XI) that detects phase-shift by using a crystal X-ray interferometer. The highest sensitivity of XI was utilized to successfully obtain the first three-dimensional image that visualizes the thermal distribution in heated water nondestructively. Additionally, projection images visualizing the dynamic thermal flow in heated water were also obtained, and their distribution and diffusion velocity agreed well with those of the calculated images obtained by computational fluid dynamics analysis. These results show that the novel thermography enables nondestructive observations of inner temperature and thermal flow and can provide solutions for optimum thermal design of electrical devices, motors, and engines.

Evaluating the effects of source conditions on coded-aperture based X-ray phase contrast imaging

Coded-aperture based imaging is a non-interferometric X-ray phase contrast imaging technique, which is based on the edge illumination principle. It enhances the image contrast and relaxes the requirements on experimental conditions, such as source sizes and detectors. Quantitative phase and absorption information can be retrieved by two opposite acquisitions. However, the retrieving accuracy and sensitivity depend on source conditions and experimental setups. In this paper, we present a new derivation for the laboratory-based retrieving method by using the slope at the center of the standard illumination curve. By analyzing the beam distribution on the detector with different source conditions, several corresponding extracting formulae are derived. Simulation results suggest that our extracting formulae can extract a relatively stable and accurate result of refraction angle with different X-ray sources. The sensitivity to refraction angle decreases with the increase of source size, its maximum value is determined by the sample aperture. Furtherly, sensitivity will be decreased when the detector aperture is small, because the edges of the beam are blocked by the detector mask. This work helps to choose the X-ray sources and to optimize the experimental setups, moreover, to improve the quantitative extracting accuracy of the refraction angle.

X-Ray Phase-Contrast Technology in Breast Imaging: Principles, Options, and Clinical Application.

The purpose of this article is to review different x-ray phase-contrast breast imaging techniques and their potential application in clinical settings. Phase-contrast imaging depicts not only the absorption contrast but also the refraction contrast of the transmitted x-ray beam. Early data suggest that this new modality may overcome some of the diagnostic limitations associated with current clinically available mammography systems and that it has potential for improving breast cancer detection.

X-ray phase-contrast tomography of breast tissue specimen with a multi-aperture analyser synchrotron set-up

We report on the application of the multi-aperture analyser X-ray Phase-Contrast imaging (XPCI) technique to the three-dimensional imaging of breast tissue samples. The experiment was conducted at the SYRMEP beamline (Elettra synchrotron, Italy) with a monochromatic X-ray beam. Along with the presentation of the methodology and resulting images, the potential extension of this approach to enable in-vivo applications at acceptable doses is discussed.

Recent advances in edge illumination x-ray phase-contrast tomography.

.Edge illumination (EI) is an x-ray phase-contrast imaging technique, exploiting sensitivity to x-ray refraction to visualize features, which are often not detected by conventional absorption-based radiography. The method does not require a high degree of spatial coherence and is achromatic and, therefore, can be implemented with both synchrotron radiation and commercial x-ray tubes. Using different retrieval algorithms, information about an object’s attenuation, refraction, and scattering properties can be obtained. In recent years, a theoretical framework has been developed that enables EI computed tomography (CT) and, hence, three-dimensional imaging. This review provides a summary of these advances, covering the development of different image acquisition schemes, retrieval approaches, and applications. These developments constitute an integral part in the transformation of EI CT into a widely spread imaging tool for use in a range of fields.

Photon detection efficiency of laboratory-based x-ray phase contrast imaging techniques for mammography: a Monte Carlo study

An important challenge in real-world biomedical applications of x-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) techniques is the efficient use of the photon flux generated by an incoherent and polychromatic x-ray source. This efficiency can directly influence dose and exposure time and ideally should not affect the superior contrast and sensitivity of XPCI. In this paper, we present a quantitative evaluation of the photon detection efficiency of two laboratory-based XPCI methods, grating interferometry (GI) and coded-aperture (CA). We adopt a Monte Carlo approach to simulate existing prototypes of those systems, tailored for mammography applications. Our simulations were validated by means of a simple experiment performed on a CA XPCI system. Our results show that the fraction of detected photons in the standard energy range of mammography are about 1.4% and 10% for the GI and CA techniques, respectively. The simulations indicate that the design of the optical components plays an important role in the higher efficiency of CA compared to the GI method. It is shown that the use of lower absorbing materials as the substrates for GI gratings can improve its flux efficiency by up to four times. Along similar lines, we also show that an optimized and compact configuration of GI could lead to a 3.5 times higher fraction of detected counts compared to a standard and non-optimised GI implementation.

Eccentric needle motion effect on near-nozzle dynamics of diesel spray

The eccentric needle motion has been regarded as an important cause of in-nozzle flow disturbances and hole-to-hole spray variations of modern fuel injectors. However, the experimental investigations on this subject have rarely been reported due to great difficulties in the direct measurements of eccentric needle motion and the flow characteristics of individual holes in an injection nozzle. In this study, the axial and eccentric needle motion and the near-nozzle spray dynamics of 3-hole, 5-hole and 8-hole diesel injection nozzles were investigated in varied injection pressure conditions using an X-ray phase-contrast imaging technique. The eccentric needle motion and near-nozzle spray axial velocity showed temporal oscillations during the injection with different oscillation frequencies. The frequencies of these two oscillations were independent to the nozzle hole number and injection pressure. To discuss the mutual dependency of these two oscillations, the time traces of the spray axial velocity were measured for individual holes. The results showed that the oscillation phase, frequency and amplitude of the spray axial velocity were almost identical for all holes, which indicated that the sac pressure variation rather than hole-to-hole flow variation can be the primary cause of the spray axial velocity oscillation by the eccentric needle motion. The adequacy of this consideration was thoroughly discussed using a mass balance model in the nozzle sac that predicted the sac pressure variation during an injection event.

Simple and robust synchrotron and laboratory solutions for high-resolution multimodal X-ray phase-based imaging

Edge illumination X-ray phase contrast imaging techniques are capable of quantitative retrieval of differential phase, absorption and X-ray scattering. We have recently developed a series of approaches enabling high-resolution implementations, both using synchrotron radiation and laboratory-based set-ups. Three-dimensional reconstruction of absorption, phase and dark-field can be achieved with a simple rotation of the sample. All these approaches share a common trait which consists in the use of an absorber that shapes the radiation field, in order to make the phase modulations introduced by the sample detectable. This enables a well-defined and high-contrast structuring of the radiation field as well as an accurate modelling of the effects that are related to the simultaneous use of a wide range of energies. Moreover, it can also be adapted for use with detectors featuring large pixel sizes, which could be desirable when a high detection efficiency is important.