An improvement to the diffraction-enhanced imaging method that permits imaging of dynamic systems

We present an improvement to the diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) method that permits imaging of moving samples or other dynamic systems in real time. The method relies on the use of a thin Bragg analyzer crystal and simultaneous acquisition of the multiple images necessary for the DEI reconstruction of the apparent absorption and refraction images. These images are conventionally acquired at multiple points on the reflectivity curve of an analyzer crystal which presents technical challenges and precludes imaging of moving subjects. We have demonstrated the potential of the technique by taking DEI “movies” of an artificially moving mouse leg joint, acquired at the Biomedical Imaging Centre at SPring-8, Japan.