Analyzer-based X-ray phase contrast imaging (ABI) belongs to a broader family of phase-contrast (PC) X-ray imaging
modalities. Unlike the conventional X-ray radiography, which measures only X-ray absorption, in PC imaging one can
also measures the X-rays deflection induced by the object refractive properties. It has been shown that refraction
imaging provides better contrast when imaging the soft tissue, which is of great interest in medical imaging applications.
In this paper, we introduce a simulation tool specifically designed to simulate the analyzer-based X-ray phase contrast
imaging system with a conventional polychromatic X-ray source. By utilizing ray tracing and basic physical principles
of diffraction theory our simulation tool can predicting the X-ray beam profile shape, the energy content, the total
throughput (photon count) at the detector. In addition we can evaluate imaging system point-spread function for various
system configurations.
Several single crystal CVD diamonds with (001) and (111) surface orientations were studied using x-ray diffraction rocking curve mapping in the double-crystal pseudo plane-wave configuration using Bragg reflection geometry. Strongly nonuniform distributions of rocking curve parameters on the studied crystal surfaces were observed, which indicates that the crystals exhibit substantial lattice distortions. Selected crystal pairs were tested in the nondispersive double-crystal configuration using polychromatic bending magnet synchrotron radiation. The results suggest that CVD diamond crystals could be used as high-flux broadband x-ray monochromators in applications where preservation of the radiation wavefront is not a primary goal.
Two dimensional compound refractive lenses (CRL) made out of single crystal diamond had been recently demonstrated [1, 2]. The use of compound refractive lens is inevitably associated with high x-ray absorption. One of the benefits of diamond as a material for CRL is its ability to withstand high instantaneous and average heat load. We used finite element method to simulate thermal effects in the lens. A steady state simulation is done for high average heat load conditions of ultimate storage rings. A time domain simulation is used for high peak power XFEL case. We compare diamond with beryllium, a common material for the CRL, and find that diamond temperature rise is less even though its x-ray absorption is higher.
The use of a channel-cut monochromator is the most straightforward method to ensure that the two reflection surfaces maintain alignment between crystallographic planes without the need for complicated alignment mechanisms. Three basic characteristics that affect monochromator performance are: subsurface damage which contaminates spectral purity; surface roughness which reduces efficiency due to scattering; and surface figure error which imparts intensity structure and coherence distortion in the beam. Standard chemical-mechanical polishing processes and equipment are used when the diffracting surface is easily accessible, such as for single-bounce monochromators. Due to the inaccessibly of the surfaces inside a channel-cut monochromator for polishing, these optics are generally wet-etched for their final processing. This results in minimal subsurface damage, but very poor roughness and figure error. A new CMP channel polishing instrument design is presented which allows the internal diffracting surface quality of channel-cut crystals to approach that of conventional single-bounce monochromators.
An electrical response of a diffracting diamond (111) crystal was studied in a single electrode configuration where the electrode was deposited on a small portion of the crystal entrance surface. The experiment was performed in ambient air using an x-ray beam after a Si (111) double-crystal monochromator with the diamond crystal set in the Bragg diffraction condition. It was found that the electric current as a function of the Bragg angle exhibits behavior characteristic of secondary yield curves (e.g.,1). It is proposed to utilize this effect to monitor the intensity of the Bragg reflected x-ray beam. Such non-invasive monitoring does not rely on the use of stand-alone radiation monitors (e.g., ionization chambers) and is expected to facilitate x-ray optics alignment procedures. As an attempt to improve signal-to-noise ratio by containing the electric field in the optical element an electric response of a high-resistivity silicon crystal was studied in a two-electrode configuration. Preliminary results are reported.
The recent success of the X-ray Free Electron Lasers has generated great interests from the user communities of a wide range of scientific disciplines including physics, chemistry, structural biology and material science, creating tremendous demand on FEL beamtime access. Due to the serial nature of FEL operation, various beam-sharing techniques have been investigated in order to potentially increase the FEL beamtime capacity. Here we report the recent development in using thin diamond single crystals for spectrally splitting the FEL beam at the Linac Coherent Light Source, thus potentially allowing the simultaneous operation of multiple instruments. Experimental findings in crystal mounting and its thermal performance, position and pointing stabilities of the reflected beam, and impact of the crystal on the FEL transmitted beam profile are presented.
A prototype of a novel ultrahigh-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering spectrometer has been designed and tested at
undulator-based beamline 30-ID, at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory. This state-of-the-art instrument is designed to meet challenging mechanical and optical specifications for producing ultrahigh-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy data for various scientific applications.
The optomechanical design of the ultrahigh-resolution monochromator and analyzer for inelastic x-ray scattering spectrometer as well as the preliminary test results of its precision positioning performance are presented in this paper.
Adaptive angular control of reflecting crystals is crucial for reliable operation of high-resolution x-ray optics
at synchrotron radiation facilities. An anglular compensation with nanoradian tolerance is required for some
advanced applications. We present a working solution, a null-detection feedback system which was successfully
applied for stabilization of an x-ray monochromator with energy resolution of ΔE/E ≈ 10−8(E = 23.7 keV).
Another possible application of the feedback system, stabilization of optical cavity for x-ray free electron laser
oscillator (XFELO) is discussed.
In recent years, innovative vibro-modulation technique has been introduced for detection of contact-type interfaces such as cracks, debondings, and delaminations. The technique utilizes the effect of nonlinear interaction of ultrasound and vibrations at the interface of the defect. Vibration varies on the contact area of the interface modulating passing through ultrasonic wave. The modulation manifests itself as additional side-band spectral components with the combination frequencies in the spectrum of the received signal. The presence of these components allows for detection and differentiation of the contact-type defects from other structural and material inhomogeneities. Vibro-modulation technique has been implemented in N-SCAN damage detection system. The system consists of a digital synthesizer, high and low frequency amplifiers, a magnetostrictive shaker, ultrasonic transducers and a PC-based data acquisition/processing station with N-SCAN software. The ability of the system to detect contact-type defects was experimentally verified using specimens of simple and complex geometries made of steel, aluminum, composites and other structural materials. N-SCAN proved to be very effective for nondestructive testing of full-scale structures ranging from 24 foot-long gun barrels to stainless steel pipes used in nuclear power plants. Among advantages of the system are applicability for the wide range of structural materials and for structures with complex geometries, real time data processing, convenient interface for system operation, simplicity of interpretation of results, no need for sensor scanning along structure, onsite inspection of large structures at a fraction of time as compared with conventional techniques. This paper describes the basic principles of nonlinear vibro-modulation NDE technique, some theoretical background for nonlinear interaction and justification of signal processing algorithm. It is also presents examples of practical implementation and application of the technique.
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