Talbot Interferometer Grating Vibration Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiographic image generation techniques face challenges in handling vibration and drift of gratings, leading to errors in measurement results, especially in non-destructive testing and production environments where environmental stability is not guaranteed.

Innovation Solution

A device with an imaging section, drive section, and processing section that includes a grating system for generating radiographic images by acquiring intensity distribution images, moving the grating to create specific ROI pixel values, determining an elliptical locus, and generating radiographic images using angle region images, which helps stabilize the system against grating vibrations and drift.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional X-ray perspective imaging is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to operate, but the sensitivity for soft biological tissue and organic material is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging system is segmented into multiple functional components: radiation source, transmission grating G1, Talbot interferometer, and detector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while achieving high sensitivity through their coordinated interaction, resolving the contradiction between sensitivity improvement and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transmission grating G1 is introduced as an intermediary element between the radiation source and the detector. This grating creates an intensity pattern that amplifies phase contrast effects, enabling high sensitivity imaging of soft tissues without requiring complex synchrotron radiation sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a microfocus X-ray source is used to achieve spatial coherence for Talbot interferometer operation, then the imaging sensitivity is improved, but the output power is limited requiring long exposure times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging sensitivityVSAvoidexposure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic intensity modulation through the transmission grating G1, which creates a time-varying intensity pattern that can be detected even with lower power sources. This periodic action allows accumulation of signal over multiple cycles, reducing the required exposure time while maintaining sensitivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The grating G1 is made movable to dynamically modulate the intensity pattern during imaging. This dynamic modulation enables the system to extract phase contrast information through temporal variations rather than relying solely on high spatial coherence, thereby reducing exposure time requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If grating vibration and drift are not compensated, then the device structure remains simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in fringe scanning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the actual position of the movable grating is continuously monitored and used to correct the intensity pattern analysis. This feedback loop compensates for vibrations and drift in real-time, maintaining measurement precision without requiring overly complex mechanical stabilization systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the modulation period parameter dynamically to optimize the fringe scanning process. By adapting the scanning parameters based on actual grating position and vibration characteristics, the system maintains high measurement precision while avoiding the need for rigid, complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enables robust fringe scanning with reduced errors due to grating vibrations and drift, simplifying device structure and installation conditions while maintaining image precision, even with unstable environments and grating distortions.

Implementation Method 1

a phenomenon whereby an intensity pattern formed by a transmission grating that is being irradiated by X-rays on an X-ray detector varies due to slight refraction and dispersion of X-rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

taking into consideration fractional Talbot effect due to interference effect (so-called diffraction effect) caused by the grating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 3

fractional Talbot effect due to interference effect (so-called diffraction effect) caused by the grating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTalbot effect: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

one more transmission grating is arranged at that position and it is possible to visualize variations in the intensity pattern by creating a moiré

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoiré effect: Moiré Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3431970B1Radiographic image generation device
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 RIGAKU CORP
  • EP3431970B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3431970B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3431970B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

First ROI pixel values of a first region of interest 101 of an intensity distribution image 10, and second ROI pixel values of a second region of interest 102 of the intensity distribution image 10, are acquired. One of the first and second regions of interest is set to be at a position, or vicinity thereof, where a phase difference in the intensity modulation period within the intensity distribution image, with respect to the other region of interest, becomes π/2. Next, an elliptical locus obtained by plotting the first and second ROI pixel values for each intensity distribution image is determined. k angle region images are then acquired using the intensity distribution images corresponding to at least k angle regions that have been obtained by dividing the elliptical locus for each given angle. A radiographic image is then generated using the k angle region images. k is an integer of three or more.