Photon Counting Detection and Phase Imaging For Multi-Contrast Deep Bioimaging

High-energy X-ray photons offer unique possibilities in detection, sensing and imaging for a range of applications, including biomedical, materials, defense/security and astronomy. However, engineering novel imaging systems that operate with small X-ray wavelengths can be challenging. Traditional X-ray imaging, while allowing deep penetration, lacks the ability for classify materials of similar X-ray absorption properties (like between cancer and normal tissue or separating plastics from bomb). Our goal is to develop methods that benefits from deep penetration and high resolution potential of X-rays but with accessible, cost effective X-ray sources (unlike in synchrotrons)for widespread applications. I will describe methods that involve extracting information from wave nature of X-rays with novel imaging system designs to generate additional contrast types. Emerging single-photon counting detectors can offer both the benefit of material classification via "color X-ray Imaging" but also yield spectral phase retrieval methods. My group has shown that along with innovative instrumentation, understanding and developing new light transport models for new imaging geometries can allow low-dose imaging designs and phase retrieval methods. I will present a latest example of single-mask X-ray phase imaging that yields differential X-ray phase imaging in a single shot. These new imaging signatures such as differential phase contrast with high resolution can open new avenues for imaging cancer, biomaterials, geophysical applications, defense and security. Time permitting, I will discuss potential to transfer some of these innovations to other modalities like optical and electron microscopy.