Differential phase-contrast imaging

A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a program for differential phase contrast imaging, said program having instructions executable by a processor for performing a plurality of acts, from among said plurality there being the acts of:

• aa1) applying coherent X-ray radiation to an interferometer that comprises a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating that are both in a first position (P1);
• each of said first diffraction grating and said second diffraction grating including at least two parts with respective grating orientations that differ from each other;
• wherein said first diffraction grating is a phase grating, a first part from among said at least two parts of said phase grating having a first grating orientation, and wherein said second diffraction grating is an analyzer grating, a second part from among said at least two parts of said analyzer grating having a second grating orientation;
• aa2) phase-stepping said analyzer grating;
• and
• aa3) recording, in conjunction with the act aa2), first raw image data with a sensor that includes at least two parts;
• wherein a first part, from among said at least two parts of said sensor, and a second part, from among said at least two parts of said sensor, are recording phase contrast image information relating correspondingly to the first grating orientation and the second grating orientation;
• b) translating the analyzer grating and the phase grating to a second position (P2);
• cc1) applying coherent X-ray radiation to the interferometer in the second position;
• cc2) phase-stepping said analyzer grating;
• cc3) recording, in conjunction with the act cc2), second raw image data with said sensor, wherein said first part and said second part are recording phase contrast image information relating correspondingly to the second grating orientation and the first grating orientation;
• and
• d) providing the recorded first raw image data and second raw image data as raw image data.

A diffraction grating configured for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging, comprising:

• a first grating structure that includes a plurality of bars and a plurality of gaps that respectively space apart the plurality of bars, said plurality of bars and the plurality of gaps being disposed in a first grating orientation GO1, said plurality of bars, and said plurality of gaps, being arranged periodically;
• wherein said plurality of bars are arranged such that said plurality of bars change, for X-ray radiation being applied for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging to said diffraction grating configured for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging, at least one of phase and amplitude, and wherein said plurality of gaps are X-ray transparent;
• and,
• non-overlapping with said first grating structure, a second grating structure that includes a plurality of bars and a plurality of gaps that respectively space apart the plurality of bars of said second grating structure, said plurality of bars of said second grating structure and the plurality of gaps of said second grating structure being disposed in a second grating orientation GO2, said plurality of bars, and said plurality of gaps, disposed in said second grating orientation, being arranged periodically;
• wherein said plurality of bars of said second grating structure are arranged such that said plurality of bars of said second grating structure change, for X-ray radiation being applied for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging to said diffraction grating configured for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging, at least one of phase and amplitude, and wherein said plurality of gaps of said second grating structure are X-ray transparent;
• wherein said first grating orientation GO1 is different than said second grating orientation GO2.

A diffraction grating configured for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging comprising:

• multiple first grating structures and multiple second grating structures;
• wherein said first grating structure comprises a plurality of bars and a plurality of gaps that respectively space apart said plurality of bars, said plurality of bars and said plurality of gaps being disposed in a first grating orientation GO1, said plurality of bars, and said plurality of gaps, being arranged periodically;
• wherein said plurality of bars are arranged such that said plurality of bars change, for X-ray radiation being applied for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging to said diffraction grating configured for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging, at least one of phase and amplitude, and wherein said plurality of gaps are X-ray transparent;
• wherein said second grating structure comprises a plurality of bars and a plurality of gaps that respectively space apart the plurality of bars of said second grating structure, said plurality of bars of said second grating structure and said plurality of gaps of said second grating structure being disposed in a second grating orientation GO2, said plurality of bars, and said plurality of gaps, disposed in said second grating orientation, being arranged periodically;
• wherein said plurality of bars of said second grating structure are arranged such that said plurality of bars of said second grating structure change, for X-ray radiation being applied for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging to said diffraction grating configured for X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging, at least one of phase and amplitude, and wherein said plurality of gaps of said second grating structure are X-ray transparent;
• wherein, pairwise from among collectively said multiple first grating structures and said multiple second grating structures, the paired multiple first grating structures and multiple second grating structures are mutually non-overlapping so as to extend a spatial range over which said diffraction grating directly receives incident X-ray radiation;
• and
• wherein said first grating orientation GO1 is different than said second grating orientation GO2.