Phase sensitive X-ray imaging experiments with structured illumination and polycapillary optics for clinical application

X -ray phase images of soft tissue provide higher image contrast than conventional images because the difference in phase imparted to X-rays by similar soft tissues is large compared to the difference in attenuation. However, phase imaging has found limited clinical use due to requirements on x-ray coherence that may not be easily translated to clinical practice or the need for precision gratings with limited field of view. Instead, we will discuss experiments to achieve practicable phase imaging that employ a conventional source to create structured illumination with a simple wire mesh. Polycapillary optics are employed to enhance coherence. A deconvolution method minimizes the effect of spurious gradients due to the finite source size and camera resolution. We will present results from a reconstruction method that produces scatter free absorption, phase and scatter amplitude images simultaneously.