Propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast imaging with broad focus conventional x-ray sources

A propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast imaging (PBI) setup using a conventional x-ray source (LFF Cu target) is presented. A virtual x-ray source of 40 x 50 $\mu$$m^2$ was created by using, horizontally, a $6^o$ take-off angle (with the x-ray tube working in the line focus geometry) and, vertically, a 50 $\mu$m slit . The sample was set 12 $m$ from the source. Propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast (PB) image and conventional radiography (CR) of a polypropylene tube were acquired. Edge enhanced effects and a crack, not detected in CR, were clearly seen in the PB image. Contrast, visibility of the object edges and signal to noise ratio of the acquired images were exploited. The results show that PB images can be acquired by using normal focus (macro focus) conventional x-ray sources. This apparatus can be used as an standard phase-contrast imaging setup to analyze different kind of samples with large field of view (75 x 75 $mm^2$), discarding the use of translators for sample and detector.