Tunable X-ray dark-field imaging for sub-resolution feature size quantification in porous media

AbstractX-ray computed micro-tomography typically involves a trade-off between sample size and resolution, complicating the study at a micrometer scale of representative volumes of materials with broad feature size distributions (e.g. natural stones). X-ray dark-field tomography exploits scattering to probe sub-resolution features, promising to overcome this trade-off. In this work, we present a quantification method for sub-resolution feature sizes using dark-field tomograms obtained by tuning the autocorrelation length of a Talbot grating interferometer. Alumina particles with different nominal pore sizes (50 nm and 150 nm) were mixed and imaged at the TOMCAT beamline of the SLS synchrotron (PSI) at eighteen correlation lengths, covering the pore size range. The different particles cannot be distinguished by traditional absorption µCT due to their very similar density and the pores being unresolved at typical image resolutions. Nevertheless, by exploiting the scattering behavior of the samples, the proposed analysis method allowed to quantify the nominal pore sizes of individual particles. The robustness of this quantification was proven by reproducing the experiment with solid samples of alumina, and alumina particles that were kept separated. Our findings demonstrate the possibility to calibrate dark-field image analysis to quantify sub-resolution feature sizes, allowing multi-scale analyses of heterogeneous materials without subsampling.

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Tunable X-ray dark-field imaging for sub-resolution feature size quantification in porous media

10.21203/rs.3.rs-454478/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin K. Blykers ◽

Caori Organista ◽

Matthieu Boone ◽

Matias Kagias ◽

Federica Marone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dark Field Image ◽

Dark Field ◽

Feature Size ◽

Trade Off ◽

X Ray ◽

Pore Sizes ◽

Dark Field Imaging ◽

Alumina Particles ◽

Micro Tomography ◽

Similar Density

Abstract X-ray computed micro-tomography typically involves a trade-off between sample size and resolution, complicating the study at a micrometer scale of representative volumes of materials with broad feature size distributions (e.g. natural stones). X-ray dark-field tomography exploits scattering to probe sub-resolution features, promising to overcome this trade-off. In this work, we present a quantification method for sub-resolution feature sizes using dark-field tomograms obtained by tuning the autocorrelation length of a Talbot grating interferometer. Alumina particles with different nominal pore sizes (50 nm and 150 nm) were mixed and imaged at the TOMCAT beamline of the SLS synchrotron (PSI) at eighteen correlation lengths, covering the pore size range. The different particles cannot be distinguished by traditional absorption µCT due to their very similar density and the pores being unresolved at typical image resolutions. Nevertheless, by exploiting the scattering behavior of the samples, the proposed analysis method allowed to quantify the nominal pore sizes of individual particles. The robustness of this quantification was proven by reproducing the experiment with solid samples of alumina, and alumina particles that were kept separated. Our findings demonstrate the possibility to calibrate dark-field image analysis to quantify sub-resolution feature sizes, allowing multi-scale analyses of heterogeneous materials without subsampling.

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Correlation of image quality parameters with tube voltage in X-ray dark-field chest radiography: a phantom study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93716-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Andreas P. Sauter ◽

Jana Andrejewski ◽

Manuela Frank ◽

Konstantin Willer ◽

Julia Herzen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Imaging Modality ◽

Signal Strength ◽

Dark Field ◽

Tube Voltage ◽

X Ray ◽

Dose Area Product ◽

Dark Field Imaging ◽

Field Imaging

AbstractGrating-based X-ray dark-field imaging is a novel imaging modality with enormous technical progress during the last years. It enables the detection of microstructure impairment as in the healthy lung a strong dark-field signal is present due to the high number of air-tissue interfaces. Using the experience from setups for animal imaging, first studies with a human cadaver could be performed recently. Subsequently, the first dark-field scanner for in-vivo chest imaging of humans was developed. In the current study, the optimal tube voltage for dark-field radiography of the thorax in this setup was examined using an anthropomorphic chest phantom. Tube voltages of 50–125 kVp were used while maintaining a constant dose-area-product. The resulting dark-field and attenuation radiographs were evaluated in a reader study as well as objectively in terms of contrast-to-noise ratio and signal strength. We found that the optimum tube voltage for dark-field imaging is 70 kVp as here the most favorable combination of image quality, signal strength, and sharpness is present. At this voltage, a high image quality was perceived in the reader study also for attenuation radiographs, which should be sufficient for routine imaging. The results of this study are fundamental for upcoming patient studies with living humans.

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Dark-Field X-Ray Microscopy of Immunogold-Labeled Cells

Microscopy and Microanalysis ◽

10.1017/s1431927696210530 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 53-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Henry N. Chapman ◽

Jenny Fu ◽

Chris Jacobsen ◽

Shawn Williams

Keyword(s):

Colloidal Gold ◽

Dark Field Image ◽

Dark Field ◽

X Rays ◽

X Ray ◽

Scanning Transmission ◽

A Cell ◽

Specific Antigens ◽

Genetic Sequences ◽

Novel Method

The methods of immunolabeling make visible the presence of specific antigens, proteins, genetic sequences, or functions of a cell. In this paper we present examples of imaging immunolabels in a scanning transmission x-ray microscope using the novel method of dark-field contrast. Colloidal gold, or silver-enhanced colloidal gold, is used as a label, which strongly scatters x-rays. This leads to a high-contrast dark-field image of the label and reduced radiation dose to the specimen. The x-ray images are compared with electron micrographs of the same labeled, unsectioned, whole cell. It is verified that the dark-field x-ray signal is primarily due to the label and the bright-field x-ray signal, showing absorption due to carbon, is largely unaffected by the label. The label can be well visualized even when it is embedded in or laying behind dense material, such as the cell nucleus. The resolution of the images is measured to be 60 nm, without the need for computer processing. This figure includes the x-ray microscope resolution and the accuracy of the label positioning. The technique should be particularly useful for the study of relatively thick (up to 10 μm), wet, or frozen hydrated specimens.

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Erratum: “Signal-to-noise ratio in x-ray dark-field imaging using a grating interferometer” [J. Appl. Phys. 110, 053105 (2011)]

Journal of Applied Physics ◽

10.1063/1.3662185 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 110 (10) ◽

pp. 109902 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Chabior ◽

Tilman Donath ◽

Christian David ◽

Manfred Schuster ◽

Christian Schroer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Dark Field ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

X Ray ◽

Dark Field Imaging ◽

Grating Interferometer ◽

Noise Ratio ◽

Field Imaging

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Laminate fibre structure characterisation of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers by X-ray scatter dark field imaging with a grating interferometer

NDT & E International ◽

10.1016/j.ndteint.2013.04.012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 64-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Vincent Revol ◽

Bernhard Plank ◽

Rolf Kaufmann ◽

Johann Kastner ◽

Christian Kottler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Fibre ◽

Dark Field ◽

Fibre Structure ◽

Reinforced Polymers ◽

X Ray ◽

Dark Field Imaging ◽

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers ◽

Grating Interferometer ◽

Field Imaging

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X-Ray Dark-Field Imaging of Lung Cancer in Mice

Lung Imaging and CADx ◽

10.1201/9780429055959-4 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 75-96

Author(s):

Deniz A. Bölükbas ◽

Darcy E. Wagner

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Dark Field ◽

X Ray ◽

Dark Field Imaging ◽

Field Imaging

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A comparative study of the structural properties of InGaN/GaN quantum wells determined by X-ray diffraction, high-angle annular dark-field imaging and energy-filtered TEM

Microscopy of Semiconducting Materials 2003 ◽

10.1201/9781351074636-13 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 57-60

Author(s):

J S Barnard ◽

M E Vickers ◽

M J Kappers ◽

E J Thrush ◽

C J Humphreys

Keyword(s):

Comparative Study ◽

Quantum Wells ◽

Structural Properties ◽

Dark Field ◽

High Angle ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

X Ray ◽

Dark Field Imaging ◽

Annular Dark Field ◽

Field Imaging

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Retrieval of 3D information in X-ray dark-field imaging with a large field of view

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-02960-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jana Andrejewski ◽

Fabio De Marco ◽

Konstantin Willer ◽

Wolfgang Noichl ◽

Theresa Urban ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Dark Field ◽

Large Field ◽

X Ray ◽

Dark Field Imaging ◽

Beam Geometry ◽

Different Dimensions ◽

3D Information ◽

Human Thorax ◽

Field Imaging

AbstractX-ray dark-field imaging is a widely researched imaging technique, with many studies on samples of very different dimensions and at very different resolutions. However, retrieval of three-dimensional (3D) information for human thorax sized objects has not yet been demonstrated. We present a method, similar to classic tomography and tomosynthesis, to obtain 3D information in X-ray dark-field imaging. Here, the sample is moved through the divergent beam of a Talbot–Lau interferometer. Projections of features at different distances from the source seemingly move with different velocities over the detector, due to the cone beam geometry. The reconstruction of different focal planes exploits this effect. We imaged a chest phantom and were able to locate different features in the sample (e.g. the ribs, and two sample vials filled with water and air and placed in the phantom) to corresponding focal planes. Furthermore, we found that image quality and detectability of features is sufficient for image reconstruction with a dose of 68 μSv at an effective pixel size of $$0.357 \times {0.357}\,\mathrm{mm}^{2}$$ 0.357 × 0.357 mm 2 . Therefore, we successfully demonstrated that the presented method is able to retrieve 3D information in X-ray dark-field imaging.

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