Simulation framework for coherent and incoherent X-ray imaging and its application in Talbot-Lau dark-field imaging

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Computational Science

Background:

• Coherent X-ray imaging techniques are crucial for materials characterization.
• Accurate simulations are needed to interpret complex scattering phenomena.
• X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry requires sophisticated modeling for precise results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel simulation framework for coherent X-ray imaging.
• To integrate inelastic scattering contributions using Monte Carlo methods.
• To validate the framework against experimental measurements, particularly for X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry.

Main Methods:

• Development of a core C++ library with a Python interface.
• Implementation of a workflow for including inelastic scattering.
• Realistic modeling of microsphere distributions for accurate simulations.

Main Results:

• Simulations demonstrate agreement with experimental data from X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometers.
• Accurate prediction of the dark-field signal for densely packed PMMA microspheres.
• Validation of the framework's capability in modeling complex sample structures.

Conclusions:

• The developed simulation framework is a valuable tool for coherent X-ray imaging.
• It enables accurate prediction of signals, especially dark-field signals.
• The framework supports optimization of experimental setups and improvement of reconstruction algorithms.