Asymmetric illumination x-ray differential phase contrast imaging

Abstract

X-ray phase contrast imaging has the potential to improve image contrast and better differentiate between weakly attenuating materials. Current implementations, however, focus on small biological samples and coherent sources. Here we propose asymmetric illumination as a low complexity variation of x-ray differential phase contrast imaging. With this method, we would utilize angular filtration of the signal at the detector to convert the phase shifts into intensity variation. We will report our findings as we test the feasibility of this method through simulation as well as discuss ongoing efforts in the development of the system.