English

Retrieval of multiple fibre orientations using X-ray dark-field signal modelling

Medical Physics 2026-03-17 v1

Abstract

Dark-field imaging is widely used to infer fibre orientation from signal modulation as a function of sample orientation. However, current X-ray dark-field retrieval methods are restricted to single orientations and require tomography to resolve overlapping structures. This approach is time-consuming and not suitable for thin materials, which are common in materials science. Here we present a dark-field model capable of retrieving multiple fibre orientations within a single pixel. The model, based on a geometrical description of fibre scattering, was validated through Monte Carlo simulations and experiments using beam-tracking setups with 1D and 2D masks. Results demonstrate reliable orientation retrieval for up to two fibres per pixel, with the 2D mask providing multi-directional sensitivity in a single acquisition and enabling faster and simplified data collection.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2603.14555,
  title  = {Retrieval of multiple fibre orientations using X-ray dark-field signal modelling},
  author = {Lorenzo Massimi and Michela Fratini and Shashidhara Marathe and Christoph Rau and Giuseppe Gigli and Alessandro Olivo and Alessia Cedola},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.14555},
  year   = {2026}
}