Phase contrast based high resolution X-ray desktop tomography

Abstract

In our research on X-ray imaging, a desktop setup composed by a microfocus source, a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector and a precision rotation stage was used to carry out the studies on X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) for high resolution tomography. Attenuation based tomographic imaging of a screw was performed, while organic samples consisting of both an insect embedded an amber stone, and a piece of wood were imaged using phase contrast technique. Stereo-imaging was performed by reconstruction of projection images. The procedure of reconstruction is based on a conversion of projection images into slices images, on a segmentation, as well as on a 3D rendering. We have shown that rendered images allow identification of fine details of both inorganic and organic samples studied. Precise instrumentation used has enabled us to combine the phase information and the tomographic reconstruction that results in getting high resolution tomographic images.