Phase-contrast X-ray imaging using bath vertically and horizontally expanded synchrotron radiation X-rays with asymmetric Bragg reflection

Results of phase-contrast X-ray imaging are presented. The optical system employed consisted of a successive arrangement of horizontal and vertical (+, -) double crystals taking asymmetric Bragg reflection with an asymmetry factor of similar to 0.2. The original beam size was thus expanded in both directions and the field of view actually obtained was similar to 5 x 5 mm(2). Boundary structures in samples were clearly observed with much higher contrast than those obtained in conventional absorption-contrast imaging. Since this method works in real time, it will provide a new X-ray imaging diagnosis technique for in situ observation over a large area of the samples.