In-Line Method of X-ray Phase-Contrast Micro-CT Using a Wide-Focus Laboratory Source

An experimental implementation of the “in-line” method of X-ray phase contrast using a standard wide-focus X-ray tube as a polychromatic source is described. Using the proposed experimental scheme, in vitro tomographic measurements of a sample of human brain pineal gland are carried out, and the morphological structure of the soft tissues of this organ is visualized based on the results obtained. The advantage of phase-contrast tomography in comparison with traditional absorption tomography for studying the structural features of soft tissues is experimentally demonstrated. The “in-line” phase-contrast scheme, implemented on a laboratory setup, allows tomographic study of samples with linear dimensions of several millimeters and a resolution of ∼20 µm.