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D Paganin

Publications and source records attributed to D Paganin.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Simultaneous phase and amplitude extraction from a single defocused image of a homogeneous object.

We demonstrate simultaneous phase and amplitude extraction from a single defocused image of a homogeneous object. Subject to the assumptions explicitly stated in the derivation, the algorithm solves the twin-image problem of in-line holography and is capable of analysing data obtained using X-ray microscopy, electron microscopy, neutron microscopy or visible-light microscopy, especially as they relate to defocus and point projection methods. Our simple, robust, non-iterative and computationally efficient method is applied to data obtained using an X-ray phase contrast ultramicroscope.

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Quantitative X-ray projection microscopy: phase-contrast and multi-spectral imaging.

We outline a new approach to X-ray projection microscopy in a scanning electron microscope (SEM), which exploits phase contrast to boost the quality and information content of images. These developments have been made possible by the combination of a high-brightness field-emission gun (FEG)-based SEM, direct detection CCD technology and new phase retrieval algorithms. Using this approach we have been able to obtain spatial resolution of < 0.2 micro m and have demonstrated novel features such as: (i) phase-contrast enhanced visibility of high spatial frequency image features (e.g. edges and boundaries) over a wide energy range; (ii) energy-resolved imaging to simultaneously produce multiple quasi-monochromatic images using broad-band polychromatic illumination; (iii) easy implementation of microtomography; (iv) rapid and robust phase/amplitude-retrieval algorithms to enable new real-time and quantitative modes of microscopic imaging. These algorithms can also be applied successfully to recover object-plane information from intermediate-field images, unlocking the potentially greater contrast and resolution of the intermediate-field regime. Widespread applications are envisaged for fields such as materials science, biological and biomedical research and microelectronics device inspection. Some illustrative examples are presented. The quantitative methods described here are also very relevant to projection microscopy using other sources of radiation, such as visible light and electrons.

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Computational aberration correction for an arbitrary linear imaging system.

We show that aberration corrections can be made in any arbitrary linear imaging system provided the aberrations are well characterized and at least one of these aberrations can be independently varied in a well-controlled manner. We derive a generalization of the Schrödinger equation for wave propagation in aberration space assuming forward scattering. Transport equations in aberration space are derived. A general iterative algorithm which can retrieve the phase, and is robust in the presence of noise, is also derived. This is demonstrated using simulated data pertinent to electron microscopy, from a series of images with differing spherical aberration.

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Quantitative in-line phase-contrast imaging with multienergy X rays.

We present a new method for quantitative nondestructive characterization of objects by x-ray phase-contrast imaging. Spatial distributions of the projected values of the complex refractive index in the sample are reconstructed by processing near-field images collected at a fixed sample-to-detector distance using a polychromatic incident beam and an energy-sensitive area detector, such as a CCD used in the photon-counting spectroscopy mode. The method has the potential advantages of decreased radiation dose and increased accuracy compared to conventional techniques of x-ray imaging.

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Phase retrieval from images in the presence of first-order vortices.

We discuss retrieval of the phase of quantum-mechanical and classical wave fields in the presence of first-order vortices. A practical method of phase retrieval is demonstrated which is robust in the presence of noise. Conditions for the uniqueness of the retrieved phase are discussed and we show that determination of the phase in a given plane requires a series of at least three two-dimensional intensity images at different propagation distances. The method is applicable to a wide range of scenarios such as the imaging of imperfect crystals, quantitative determination of the strength of vortex filaments in high-temperature superconductors, and x-ray and electron holography.

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Phase retrieval and aberration correction in the presence of vortices in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

We discuss phase retrieval and the correction of images for aberrations, in particular defocus and spherical aberration, in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Non-interferometric phase retrieval requires at least two intensity measurements in different planes. Vortices in the phase may occur in the image plane or the other planes involved in the phase retrieval. We discuss the performance of various methods of phase retrieval in that case. After retrieval of the phase, the aberrations can be corrected in the Fraunhofer diffraction space (the wave function in the diffraction space is related to that in the image space by a Fourier transform). The aberration-corrected image is obtained from the aberration-corrected wave function in the diffraction plane by inverse Fourier transformation.

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Quantitative methods in phase-contrast x-ray imaging.

A new method for extracting quantitative information from phase-contrast x-ray images obtained with microfocus x-ray sources is presented. The proposed technique allows rapid noninvasive characterization of the internal structure of thick optically opaque organic samples. The method does not generally involve any sample preparation and does not need any x-ray optical elements (such as monochromators, zone plates, or interferometers). As a consequence, samples can be imaged in vivo or in vitro, and the images are free from optical aberrations. While alternative techniques of x-ray phase-contrast imaging usually require expensive synchrotron radiation sources, our method can be implemented with conventional, albeit microfocus, x-ray tubes, which greatly enhances its practicality. In the present work, we develop the theoretical framework, perform numerical simulations, and present the first experimental results, demonstrating the viability of the proposed approach. We believe that this method should find wide-ranging applications in clinical radiology and medical research.

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Quantitative phase-sensitive imaging in a transmission electron microscope

This paper presents a new technique for forming quantitative phase and amplitude electron images applicable to a conventional transmission electron microscope. With magnetised cobalt microstructures used as a test object, we use electron holography to obtain an independent measurement of the phase shift. After a suitable calibration of the microscope, we obtain quantitative agreement of the phase shift imposed on the 200 keV electrons passing through the sample.

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Noninterferometric quantitative phase imaging with soft x rays.

We demonstrate quantitative noninterferometric x-ray phase-amplitude measurement. We present results from two experimental geometries. The first geometry uses x rays diverging from a point source to produce high-resolution holograms of submicrometer-sized objects. The measured phase of the projected image agrees with the geometrically determined phase to within +/-7%. The second geometry uses a direct imaging microscope setup that allows the formation of a magnified image with a zone-plate lens. Here a direct measure of the object phase is made and agrees with that of the magnified object to better than +/-10%. In both cases the accuracy of the phase is limited by the pixel resolution.

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