System and method for multi-beam X-ray exposure for 4D imaging

A method, comprising:

• emitting simultaneously X-ray radiation from a first group of first X-ray radiation sources among a plurality of X-ray radiation sources;
• detecting the emitted radiation from the first group of first X-ray radiation sources on a first pattern of sub-areas of an X-ray radiation detector, wherein the first sub-areas of the first pattern do not overlap each other, and wherein each of the first X-ray radiation sources emits X-ray radiation onto a corresponding one of the first sub-areas of the X-ray radiation detector;
• emitting simultaneously X-ray radiation from a second group of second X-ray radiation sources among the plurality of X-ray radiation sources;
• and
• detecting the emitted X-ray radiation from the second group of second X-ray radiation sources on a second pattern of second sub-areas of the X-ray radiation detector, wherein the second sub-areas of the second pattern do not overlap each other, and wherein each of the second X-ray radiation sources emits X-ray radiation onto a corresponding one of the second sub-areas of the X-ray radiation detector,
• wherein at least some of the first sub-areas of the first pattern only partially overlap at least some of the second sub-areas of the second pattern,
• wherein the plurality of X-ray radiation sources defines a main radiation direction, further comprising at least one X-ray radiation source among the first group of first X-ray radiation sources or the second group of second X-ray radiation sources emitting X-ray radiation in a first radiation direction which is inclined relative to the main radiation direction with an angle of greater than 0° and less than 50°.

A system, comprising:

• a plurality of X-ray radiation sources;
• an X-ray radiation detector;
• and
• a control unit,
• wherein a first group of first X-ray radiation sources out of the plurality of X-ray radiation sources simultaneously emit X-ray radiation onto a first pattern of first sub-areas of the X-ray radiation detector, wherein the first sub-areas of the first pattern do not overlap each other, and wherein each of the first X-ray radiation sources emits X-ray radiation onto a corresponding one of the first sub-areas of the X-ray radiation detector,
• wherein a second group of second X-ray radiation sources out of the plurality of X-ray radiation sources simultaneously emit X-ray radiation onto a second pattern of second sub-areas of the X-ray radiation detector, wherein the second sub-areas of the second pattern do not overlap each other, and wherein each of the second X-ray radiation sources emits X-ray radiation onto a corresponding one of the second sub-areas of the X-ray radiation detector,
• wherein at least some of the first sub-areas of the first pattern only partially overlap at least some of the second sub-areas of the second pattern, and
• wherein the control unit is configured to control the plurality of X-ray radiation sources to activate the first group of first X-ray radiation sources and deactivate the second group of second X-ray radiation sources within a first exposure time period, and to activate the second group of second X-ray radiation sources and deactivate the first group of first X-ray radiation sources within a second exposure time period which is subsequent to the first time period,
• wherein at least one X-ray radiation source of the first group of first X-ray radiation sources or of the second group of second X-ray radiation sources is arranged so that a first radiation direction of the one X-ray radiation source is inclined by 45 degrees relative to a second radiation direction of an other one of the first group of first X-ray radiation sources or of the second group of second X-ray radiation sources.