Experimental feasibility of dual‐energy computed tomography based on the Thomson scattering X‐ray source. (28th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chi, Zhijun; Du, Yingchao; Yan, Lixin; Wang, Dong; Zhang, Hongze; Huang, Wenhui; Tang, Chuanxiang
• Is Part Of: Journal of synchrotron radiation. Volume 25:Part 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1797
• Page End: 1802
• Publication Date: 2018-09-28
• Subjects: dual‐energy imaging -- Thomson scattering X‐ray source -- effective atomic number -- electron density; Synchrotron radiation -- Periodicals; Free electron lasers -- Periodicals; 539.73505
• DOI: 10.1107/S1600577518012663
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-0495

Abstract

Abstract : The first feasibility study on dual‐energy computed tomography based on the Thomson scattering X‐ray source is reported, and the effective atomic number and electron‐density distribution of a standard phantom consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, water and aluminium is derived. Abstract : Unlike large‐scale and expensive synchrotron radiation facilities, the Thomson scattering X‐ray source can provide quasi‐monochromatic, energy‐tunable and high‐brightness X‐ray pulses with a small footprint and moderate cost, making it an excellent candidate for dual‐energy and multi‐energy imaging at laboratories and hospitals. Here, the first feasibility study on dual‐energy computed tomography (CT) based on this type of light source is reported, and the effective atomic number and electron‐density distribution of a standard phantom consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, water and aluminium is derived. The experiment was carried out at the Tsinghua Thomson scattering X‐ray source with peak energies of 29 keV and 68 keV. Both the reconstructed effective atomic numbers and the retrieved electron densities of the three materials were compared with their theoretical values. It was found that these values were in agreement by 0.68% and 2.60% on average for effective atomic number and electron density, respectively. These results have verified the feasibility of dual‐energy CT based on the Thomson scattering X‐ray source and will further expand the scope of X‐ray imaging using this type of light source.