A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

Provided is a highly reliable X-ray inspection device having two line sensors, in which accurate inspection results can be obtained even when there is displacement of the mounting position of the line sensors. The X-ray inspection device is provided with a conveyor unit for conveying an article, an X-ray emitter, a first line sensor, a second line sensor, a detection unit, and a corrected-image generation unit. The X-ray emitter emits X-rays to the article conveyed by the conveyor unit. The first line sensor detects, in a low energy band, X-rays that have passed through the article. The second line sensor detects, in a high energy band, X-rays that have passed through the article. The detection unit detects positional displacement of the second line sensor with respect to the first line sensor in horizontal direction and vertical direction.

Ultralow-dose, x-ray or gamma-ray imaging is based on fast, electronic control of the output of a laser-Compton x-ray or gamma-ray source (LCXS or LCGS). X-ray or gamma-ray shadowgraphs are constructed one (or a few) pixel(s) at a time by monitoring the LCXS or LCGS beam energy required at each pixel of the object to achieve a threshold level of detectability at the detector. An example provides that once the threshold for detection is reached, an electronic or optical signal is sent to the LCXS/LCGS that enables a fast optical switch that diverts, either in space or time the laser pulses used to create Compton photons. In this way, one prevents the object from being exposed to any further Compton x-rays or gamma-rays until either the laser-Compton beam or the object are moved so that a new pixel location may be illumination.

A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

The present invention is directed toward an X-ray scanner that has an electron source and an anode. The anode has a target surface with a series of material areas spaced along it in a scanning direction. The material areas are formed from different materials. The electron source is arranged to direct electrons at a series of target areas of the target surface, in a predetermined order, so as to generate X-ray beams having different energy spectra.

This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting an item having at least one symmetry property inside an inspection object based on at least one transmission image. The method includes the steps: (a) detection of edges of individual items contained in the transmission image in order to produce an edge image; and (b) detection of the item by determining a symmetry line that can be associated with an item with at least one symmetry property contained in the transmission image based on pairs of edge picture elements of the edge image that are positioned symmetrically to each other relative to the symmetry line; and in step (b), in determining the symmetry line in the edge image, the only edge picture elements that are taken into account are those for which the symmetry line lies in an item contained in the transmission image, to which item the edge belongs.

Multi-energy imaging is afforded with a single detector array by generating a first data set, indicative of a first radiation energy spectrum, using a first set of cells of the array, and by generating a second data set, indicative of a second radiation energy spectrum, using a second set of cells of the array (e.g., where substantially more cells are in the first set than the second). The first data set is comprised of measured data from the first set of cells and estimated data that would have been yielded from the second set of cells had the second set been configured to detect the first energy spectrum. The second data set is comprised of measured data yielded from the second set of cells and estimated data that would have been yielded from the first set of cells had the first set been configured to detect the second energy spectrum.

A multiplexing x-ray fluorescence (MXRF) system and method are provided. The system can include a simple detector that counts x-rays with time resolution. A time-variable applied radiation source is used. The MXRF applied radiation source can produce an excitation spectrum with a peak average energy that grows with time and then recycles. Elemental identification can be achieved by time-correlating x-ray counts detected by the detector, with the time-variable applied radiation field. The system and method provide design flexibility for both commercial and NASA applications.

A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter.

This invention provides a multi-spot, digitally-addressable X-ray source operable so as to emit X-ray flux from separate spots in the source to separate, defined samples or sample areas outside the source. The x-ray flux maybe used for irradiation or for imaging. The source may be configured with reflective, transmission or forward flux channel anodes. A system made using this source comprises the source itself, a power supply, controls and cooling system for the source, a means to locate the sample array on or near the source and a radiation shielded cabinet. One or more x-ray detectors for measuring dose intensity or for imaging may be included in the system.