Seminars Archive

Phase contrast techniques in medical physics

Abstract
Phase contrast X-ray imaging is a powerful technique for the detection of low contrast details in weakly absorption objects. This method is then of possible relevance in the field of diagnostic radiology. In fact, imaging low contrast details within soft tissue does not give satisfactory results in conventional X-ray absorption radiology. Phase effects have been investigated by means of two different techniques: sample-to-detector distance optimization in the Phase Contrast approach and introduction of an analyzer crystal between sample and detector in the Diffraction Imaging approach. Several images of a mammographic phantom and of several biological specimens have been obtained with both techniques. Image quality is considerably higher and the dose delivered to the sample is lower or equal when compared to conventional mammographic examinations. Consistency of the results has been checked by theoretical simulations.