There is provided an image processing method capable of generating an image representative of a magnetic field distribution. The method starts with acquiring phase images providing visualization of electromagnetic fields respectively in a plurality of columns. Then, each of the electromagnetic fields in the columns within the phase images is separated into magnetic field and electric field components. An image representative of a magnetic field distribution is created based on the separated magnetic field components. The step of separating each electromagnetic field includes separating the electromagnetic field in a first one of the columns into magnetic field and electric field components based on the electromagnetic field in a second one of the columns, the latter electromagnetic field having an electric field component oriented in the same direction as that in the first column.

Disclosed herein is a method, comprising: for i=1, . . . , M, sending a pencil radiation beam (i) toward an image sensor, wherein the pencil radiation beam (i) is incident on an incident region (i) on the image sensor, wherein the pencil radiation beam (i) is aimed at a target region (i) on the image sensor, wherein M is a positive integer, wherein the image sensor comprises active areas spatially discontinuous from each other, and wherein the incident regions (i), i=1, . . . , M and the target regions (i), i=1, . . . , M are on the active areas; and for i=1, . . . , M, determining an offset (i) between the incident region (i) and the target region (i).

A radiation phase change detection method includes: arranging a two-dimensional optical image pickup element, which includes a scintillator, so that, when a period of a self-image generated through a phase grating is defined as D.sub.1, and a pixel pitch of the two-dimensional optical image pickup element is defined as D.sub.2=kD.sub.1, k falls in a range of 1/2<k≦3/2, and so that interference fringes formed by D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 depending on a relationship in arrangement of the two-dimensional optical image pickup element with respect to the self-image have a period of 2 times D.sub.2 or more and 100 times D.sub.2 or less; acquiring images of the interference fringes before and after insertion of an object; and outputting an image on a phase change of the radiation caused by at least the object.

Single X-ray grating differential phase contrast (DPC) X-ray imaging is provided by replacing the conventional X-ray source with a photo-emitter X-ray source array (PeXSA), and by replacing the conventional X-ray detector with a photonic-channeled X-ray detector array (PcXDA). These substitutions allow for the elimination of the G0 and G2 amplitude X-ray gratings used in conventional DPC X-ray imaging. Equivalent spatial patterns are formed optically in the PeXSA and the PcXDA. The result is DPC imaging that only has a single X-ray grating (i.e., the G1 X-ray phase grating).

The present invention relates to a method, a system, and a light source for penetrating radiation imaging, and more particularly, to a method, a system, and a light source for X-ray imaging. The system for X-ray phase contrast and high resolution imaging of the present invention comprises an X-ray source comprising a plurality of X-ray micro-light sources, an X-ray sensor configured to receive X-rays penetrating an object, and a computer configured to receive and compute raw image data from the X-ray sensor so as to obtain a clear image of the object.

The invention is directed to a method for correcting scattered radiation in a computed tomography apparatus, wherein x-ray radiation emanating from an x-ray radiation source is divided into a plurality of partial beams by a grid structure such that irradiated regions and non-irradiated regions alternate, wherein a grid position of the grid structure is changed parallel to a detector surface. In a changed grid position, previously non-irradiated regions are irradiated and previously irradiated regions are not irradiated, wherein at least one radiograph of the test object is captured for each of the grid positions, wherein the radiographs captured at different grid positions are used to generate a bright field radiograph from the respectively irradiated regions and a dark field radiograph from the respectively non-irradiated regions and wherein a corrected radiograph is generated on the basis of the bright field radiograph and the dark field radiograph.

According to a method for manufacturing a metal grating structure of the present invention, in filling a concave portion formed in a silicon substrate (30), for instance, a slit groove (SD) with metal by an electroforming method, an insulating layer (34) is formed in advance on an inner surface of the slit groove (SD) as an example of the concave portion by a thermal oxidation method. Accordingly, the metal grating structure manufacturing method is advantageous in finely forming metal parts of the grating structure. A metal grating structure of the present invention is manufactured by the above manufacturing method, and an X-ray imaging device of the present invention is incorporated with the metal grating structure.

A method and system are provided for elementally detecting variations in density. The method includes providing a computed tomography device, comprising a radiation source, a detector, and at least one grating between the radiation source and the detector, positioning the component between the radiation source and the detector, directing radiation from the radiation source to the detector to acquire information from the component, generating at least one phase contrast image and at least one dark field contrast image of the component corresponding to variations in density with the information from the component, correlating the variations in density to a foreign mass, and displaying foreign mass distribution within the component. The system includes a radiation source, a detector, a component, a first grating, a second grating, and an analysis device capable of determining total variation of density in response to radiation received by the detector, and correlating the variation of density to free element distribution in the component.

A switchable grating for phase contrast imaging comprising a reservoir with a medium and x-ray absorbing particles acoustically connected to a first ultrasound generator and a second ultrasound generator arranged along a side of the reservoir orthogonal to the first side. The ultrasound generators are each, individually or together, configured to generate a soundwave with a frequency and phase such that a standing wave is formed within the medium causing the x-ray absorbing particles to organize along pressure nodes of the standing waves.

A switchable grating for phase contrast imaging comprising a reservoir with a medium and x-ray absorbing particles acoustically connected to a first ultrasound generator and a second ultrasound generator arranged along a side of the reservoir orthogonal to the first side. The ultrasound generators are each, individually or together, configured to generate a soundwave with a frequency and phase such that a standing wave is formed within the medium causing the x-ray absorbing particles to organize along pressure nodes of the standing waves.