X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging Using Near-Field Speckles

This thesis presents research on novel X-ray imaging methods that improve the study of specimens with small density differences, revealing their inner structure and density distribution. Exploiting the phase shift of X-rays in a material can significantly increase the image contrast compared to conventional absorption imaging. This thesis provides a practical guide to X-ray phase-contrast imaging with a strong focus on X-ray speckle-based imaging, the most recently developed phase-sensitive method. X-ray speckle-based imaging only requires a piece of abrasive paper in addition to the standard X-ray imaging setup. Its simplicity and robustness combined with the compatibility with laboratory X-ray sources, make it an ideal candidate for wide user uptake in a range of fields. An in-depth overview of the state of the art of X-ray speckle-based imaging and its latest developments is given in this thesis. It, furthermore, explores a broad range of applications, from X-ray optics characterisation, to biomedical imaging for 3D virtual histology and geological studies of volcanic rocks, demonstrating is promising potential. Moreover, the speckle-based technique is placed in the context of other phase-sensitive X-ray imaging methods to assist in the choice of a suitable method, hence serving as a guide and reference work for future users.

Autorentext
Marie-Christine Zdora has been working on X-ray phase-contrast imaging since 2013. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physics from Technical University Munich in 2011 and 2014, respectively. She, furthermore, holds a Master of Medical Physics from the University of Sydney (2013). In 2015, Marie-Christine moved to Diamond Light Source, where she pursued a PhD in a joint studentship with University College London. In January 2020, she was awarded her PhD in Physics on the topic of X-ray speckle-based phase-contrast imaging from University College London. She is now a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Southampton.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Principles of X-Ray Imaging.- Synchrotron Beamlines, Instrumentation and Contributions.- X-ray Single-Grating Interferometry.- Principles and State of the Art Of X-Ray Speckle-Based Imaging.- The Unified Modulated Pattern Analysis.- At-Wavelength Optics Characterisation Via X-Ray Speckle- And Grating-Based Unified Modulated Pattern Analysis.- 3d Virtual Histology Using X-Ray Speckle With The Unified Modulated Pattern Analysis.- Recent Developments and Ongoing Work In X-Ray Speckle-Based Imaging.- Summary, Conclusions and Outlook.- Appendices.