Exploring phase contrast imaging with a laser-based K_α x-ray source up to relativistic laser intensity

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Laser-driven X-ray Sources
• Materials Science

Background:

• Phase contrast imaging offers enhanced sensitivity for transparent materials.
• Hard X-ray sources are crucial for deeper material penetration and biological imaging.
• High-repetition-rate laser systems are advancing compact X-ray generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of hard X-ray phase contrast imaging using a laser-produced Kα source.
• To explore the impact of laser intensity on imaging performance.
• To demonstrate optimized imaging strategies for biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Generation of 17.48 keV Kα X-rays using a 10 TW laser system at high repetition rate and temporal contrast.
• Parametric study of phase contrast imaging on PET films across laser intensities from ~10^17 W/cm² to 7.0 × 10^18 W/cm².
• Imaging of a biological sample (wasp) at various laser intensities up to 1.3 × 10^19 W/cm².

Main Results:

• Successful phase contrast imaging demonstrated over a broad range of laser intensities.
• Clear phase contrast and retrieved phase images obtained for PET films and a wasp.
• Imaging quality and resolution were shown to be tunable by adjusting laser intensity.

Conclusions:

• Laser-driven hard X-ray phase contrast imaging is a feasible technique.
• Laser intensity is a critical parameter for optimizing imaging strategies (resolution vs. acquisition time).
• This approach offers attractive possibilities for advanced imaging applications.