Complete elimination of the beam hardening effect in quantitative absorption tomography using polychromatic x-rays with single-component specimens

Absorption tomography has been a unique technique for 3D imaging in many scientific research and applications. However, the use of polychromatic x-ray sources for quantitative tomography has been limited due to the well-known beam hardening effect. In this article, we will describe the theoretical details of a new technique for quantitative tomography using polychromatic x-rays. The technique incorporates the full spectral information of the incident beam into the tomographic reconstruction process. Consequently, beam-hardening effects are eliminated and the result is quantitative. We will also demonstrate the technique experimentally using a single-component specimen. This technique promises great opportunities for laboratory-based x-ray sources to be used in quantitative applications.