Fast implicit diffusive dark-field retrieval for single-exposure, single-mask x-ray imaging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fast, single-exposure, non-iterative method for diffusive dark-field X-ray imaging that is applicable to any single-mask setup, enabling high-quality, stable reconstructions with minimal radiation dose.

Contribution

The authors present a novel implicit, non-iterative approach for diffusive dark-field retrieval in X-ray imaging that requires only one exposure and is computationally efficient.

Findings

Applicable to any single-mask setup with one exposure

Produces high-quality, stable reconstructions even with noise

Suitable for high-speed and low-flux X-ray imaging

Abstract

Complementary to conventional and phase X-ray radiography, dark-field imaging has become central in visualizing diffusive scattering signal due to the spatially-unresolved texture within an object. To date most diffusive-dark-field retrieval methods require either the acquisition of multiple images at the cost of higher radiation dose or significant amounts of computational memory and time. In this work, a simple method of X-ray diffusive dark-field retrieval is presented, applicable to any single-mask imaging setup, with only one exposure of the sample. The approach, which is based on a model of geometric and diffusive reverse-flow conservation, is implicit and non-iterative. This numerically fast methodology is applied to experimental X-ray images acquired using both a random mask and a grid mask, giving high quality reconstructions that are very stable in the presence of noise. The method should be useful for high-speed imaging and/or imaging with low-flux sources.