Imaging with Coherent X-rays: From the Early Synchrotron Tests to SYNAPSE

• Main Authors: Giorgio Margaritondo, Yeukuang Hwu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Journal of Imaging
• Subjects: X-rays; synchrotron; coherence; phase contrast
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-433X/7/8/132

The high longitudinal and lateral coherence of synchrotron X-rays sources radically transformed radiography. Before them, the image contrast was almost only based on absorption. Coherent synchrotron sources transformed radiography into a multi-faceted tool that can extract information also from “phase” effects. Here, we report a very simple description of the new techniques, presenting them to potential new users without requiring a sophisticated background in advanced physics. We then illustrate the impact of such techniques with a number of examples. Finally, we present the international collaboration SYNAPSE (Synchrotrons for Neuroscience—an Asia-Pacific Strategic Enterprise), which targets the use of phase-contrast radiography to map one full human brain in a few years.