Aperture System for Stereoscopic X-ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and absorption spectroscopy (XAS) systems struggle to obtain stereoscopic image information without tilting the sample stage or the entire X-ray imaging and detection system, which is cumbersome, especially in evacuable systems, and existing methods for stereoscopic imaging are complex or require multiple X-ray sources.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging and detection system that uses a divergent X-ray beam focused by a polycapillary lens and an aperture system to crop two partial X-ray beams from the primary beam at eccentric positions, allowing for perspectively shifted illumination of the sample without tilting, enabling the generation of stereoscopic image signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If tilting mechanisms are used to obtain stereoscopic image information, then depth information can be obtained, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the X-ray beam into multiple partial beams using an aperture system with multiple apertures arranged at different positions. Each aperture generates a partial beam with a different incident angle on the sample, effectively dividing the single beam path into multiple virtual beam paths that provide stereoscopic information without mechanical tilting
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture system acts as an intermediary element between the X-ray source and the sample. By placing multiple apertures at specific positions, the system creates multiple virtual sources that illuminate the sample from different angles, mediating the stereoscopic imaging process without requiring physical tilting of the sample or detector
2Loss of information
If the sample stage or entire system is tilted for stereoscopic imaging, then parallax information is obtained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome tilting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tilting system with a static aperture system. Instead of mechanically tilting the sample stage or detector to change incident angles, the system uses fixed apertures at different positions to create multiple beam paths with different angles, substituting mechanical motion with a static optical arrangement
3Loss of information
If multiple X-ray sources are used for stereoscopic imaging, then depth information can be obtained, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single X-ray beam into multiple partial beams using an aperture system, creating multiple virtual sources from one physical source. Each aperture acts as a virtual source point, providing different incident angles without requiring multiple actual X-ray sources
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture system creates virtual copies of the X-ray source at different positions. Each aperture effectively copies the source function at its specific location, generating beams that appear to originate from different points, thereby providing stereoscopic information without additional physical sources
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method simplifies the acquisition of stereoscopic image information by cropping partial X-ray beams from a single primary beam, reducing the complexity of obtaining depth information and allowing for efficient scanning and data acquisition, while avoiding the risks associated with tilting mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
Polycapillary lenses are particularly suitable for μ-XRF and usually consist of a plurality of small hollow glass tubes that are arranged in an array and that each guide X-rays via a plurality of total internal reflections.
Implementation Method 2
The aperture system is configured to crop two partial X-ray beams from the primary beam. The at least one mean for selectively reducing a beam cross section is configured to let pass X-rays in a certain area of the X-ray beam and to block the remaining X-rays.
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5(A)~5(B)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining stereoscopic image information in an X-ray imaging and detection system (10) that comprises an X-ray tube (1) with an anode (2) emitting a divergent X-ray beam (3a), a capillary lens (6) configured to focus the divergent X-ray beam (3a) as a convergent X-ray beam (3b) on a target (7), and an aperture system (4). The method of the invention comprises at least the steps of cropping an eccentrical first partial X-ray beam (5a) from the divergent or convergent X-ray beam (3a, 3b) with the aperture system (4), illuminating a grid point of the target (7) with the first partial X-ray beam (5a) and obtaining a first image signal from the grid point and of cropping an eccentrical second partial X-ray beam (5b) from the divergent or convergent X-ray beam (3a, 3b) with the aperture system (4), illuminating the grid point of the target (7) with the second partial X-ray beam (5b) and obtaining a second image signal from the grid point. The present invention further relates to an X-ray imaging and detecting system (10) and to the use of an aperture system (4) in such a system (10) for obtaining stereoscopic image information.