Hard X-Ray Zernike-Type Phase-Contrast Imaging with a Two-Block Crystal System

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, focusing optics-free method for hard X-ray phase-contrast imaging using a two-block crystal system with dynamical diffraction and a phase shifter, demonstrated through numerical simulations.

Contribution

It presents a novel Zernike-type phase-contrast imaging scheme utilizing a two-block crystal system with a phase shifter, advancing X-ray imaging techniques.

Findings

The proposed setup is compact and does not need focusing optics.

Numerical simulations confirm effective phase-contrast image formation.

The method operates in a scanning geometry.

Abstract

A novel scheme for Zernike-type hard X-ray phase-contrast imaging is proposed. The scheme relies on X-ray dynamical diffraction in a two-block crystal system with parallel crystal plates of equal thickness. A phase shifter providing a $\pi/2$ phase shift is placed in the inter-block gap of the crystal system. The method operates in a scanning geometry. The proposed imaging setup is compact and does not require conventional focusing optics. Numerical simulations of phase-contrast image formation are performed.