Martin Bech
Universitetslektor
Quantitative X-ray phase-contrast microtomography from a compact laser-driven betatron source.
Författare
Summary, in English
X-ray phase-contrast imaging has recently led to a revolution in resolving power and tissue contrast in biomedical imaging, microscopy and materials science. The necessary high spatial coherence is currently provided by either large-scale synchrotron facilities with limited beamtime access or by microfocus X-ray tubes with rather limited flux. X-rays radiated by relativistic electrons driven by well-controlled high-power lasers offer a promising route to a proliferation of this powerful imaging technology. A laser-driven plasma wave accelerates and wiggles electrons, giving rise to a brilliant keV X-ray emission. This so-called betatron radiation is emitted in a collimated beam with excellent spatial coherence and remarkable spectral stability. Here we present a phase-contrast microtomogram of a biological sample using betatron X-rays. Comprehensive source characterization enables the reconstruction of absolute electron densities. Our results suggest that laser-based X-ray technology offers the potential for filling the large performance gap between synchrotron- and current X-ray tube-based sources.
Avdelning/ar
- Medicinsk strålningsfysik, Lund
Publiceringsår
2015
Språk
Engelska
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Nature Communications
Volym
6
Länkar
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Nature Publishing Group
Ämne
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 2041-1723