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Optimization of soft X-ray phase-contrast tomography using a laser wakefield accelerator

Svendsen, Kristoffer LU ; Gallardo Gonzalez, Isabel LU orcid ; Hansson, Martin LU ; Björklund Svensson, Jonas LU ; Ekerfelt, Henrik LU ; Persson, Anders LU and Lundh, Olle LU (2018) In Optics Express 26(26). p.33930-33941
Abstract
X-ray phase-contrast imaging allows for non-invasive analysis in low-absorbing materials, such as soft tissue. Its application in medical or materials science has yet to be realized on a wider scale due to the requirements on the X-ray source, demanding high flux and small source size. Laser wakefield accelerators generate betatron X-rays fulfilling these criteria and can be suitable sources for phase-contrast imaging. In this work, we present the first phase-contrast images obtained by using ionization injection-based laser wakefield acceleration, which results in a higher photon yield and smoother X-ray beam profile compared to self-injection. A peak photon yield of 1.9 × 1011 ph/sr and a source size of 3 μm were estimated. Furthermore,... (More)
X-ray phase-contrast imaging allows for non-invasive analysis in low-absorbing materials, such as soft tissue. Its application in medical or materials science has yet to be realized on a wider scale due to the requirements on the X-ray source, demanding high flux and small source size. Laser wakefield accelerators generate betatron X-rays fulfilling these criteria and can be suitable sources for phase-contrast imaging. In this work, we present the first phase-contrast images obtained by using ionization injection-based laser wakefield acceleration, which results in a higher photon yield and smoother X-ray beam profile compared to self-injection. A peak photon yield of 1.9 × 1011 ph/sr and a source size of 3 μm were estimated. Furthermore, the current laser parameters produce an X-ray spectrum mainly in the soft X-ray range, in which laser-plasma based phase-contrast imaging had yet to be studied. The phase-contrast images of a Chrysopa lacewing resolve features on the order of 4 μm. These images are further used for a tomographic reconstruction and a volume rendering, showing details on the order of tens of μm. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
betatron radiation, laser-wakefield acceleration, phase-contrast imaging
in
Optics Express
volume
26
issue
26
pages
33930 - 33941
publisher
Optical Society of America
external identifiers
  • scopus:85059247778
  • pmid:30650824
ISSN
1094-4087
DOI
10.1364/OE.26.033930
project
Extreme Electron Beams and Brilliant X-rays - Generation, Manipulation and Characterization of Relativistic Electron Beams for and from Plasma-Based Accelerators
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
43a84f38-a50e-4192-9f26-c8f6a136cc40
date added to LUP
2018-12-17 18:05:09
date last changed
2024-01-30 05:58:37
@article{43a84f38-a50e-4192-9f26-c8f6a136cc40,
  abstract     = {{X-ray phase-contrast imaging allows for non-invasive analysis in low-absorbing materials, such as soft tissue. Its application in medical or materials science has yet to be realized on a wider scale due to the requirements on the X-ray source, demanding high flux and small source size. Laser wakefield accelerators generate betatron X-rays fulfilling these criteria and can be suitable sources for phase-contrast imaging. In this work, we present the first phase-contrast images obtained by using ionization injection-based laser wakefield acceleration, which results in a higher photon yield and smoother X-ray beam profile compared to self-injection. A peak photon yield of 1.9 × 1011 ph/sr and a source size of 3 μm were estimated. Furthermore, the current laser parameters produce an X-ray spectrum mainly in the soft X-ray range, in which laser-plasma based phase-contrast imaging had yet to be studied. The phase-contrast images of a Chrysopa lacewing resolve features on the order of 4 μm. These images are further used for a tomographic reconstruction and a volume rendering, showing details on the order of tens of μm.}},
  author       = {{Svendsen, Kristoffer and Gallardo Gonzalez, Isabel and Hansson, Martin and Björklund Svensson, Jonas and Ekerfelt, Henrik and Persson, Anders and Lundh, Olle}},
  issn         = {{1094-4087}},
  keywords     = {{betatron radiation; laser-wakefield acceleration; phase-contrast imaging}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  number       = {{26}},
  pages        = {{33930--33941}},
  publisher    = {{Optical Society of America}},
  series       = {{Optics Express}},
  title        = {{Optimization of soft X-ray phase-contrast tomography using a laser wakefield accelerator}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.033930}},
  doi          = {{10.1364/OE.26.033930}},
  volume       = {{26}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}