Single-Image Geometric-Flow X-Ray Speckle Tracking

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel speckle-tracking technique based on geometric flow for rapid, photon-efficient x-ray phase-contrast imaging, capable of dynamic object imaging with high resolution and contrast.

Contribution

It presents a new geometric flow-based speckle-tracking algorithm that enhances quantitative phase imaging efficiency and applicability to various x-ray sources.

Findings

Achieves high-resolution 2D and 3D phase imaging with synchrotron radiation.

Demonstrates rapid and photon-efficient phase recovery from a single radiograph.

Discusses potential adaptations for compact x-ray sources.

Abstract

We develop a speckle-tracking method for x-ray phase-contrast imaging, based on the concept of geometric flow. This flow is a conserved current associated with deformation of illuminating x-ray speckles induced by passage through a sample. The method provides a rapid, efficient, and accurate algorithm for quantitative phase imaging. It is highly photon efficient and able to image dynamic objects, since a single radiograph of the sample is sufficient for the phase recovery. We experimentally quantify the resolution and contrast of the approach with both two-dimensional and three-dimensional phase-imaging applications using x-ray synchrotron radiation. Finally, we discuss adaptations of the method to imaging with compact x-ray sources that have a large source size and significant spectral bandwidth.