X-ray Imaging Overview

Principles

Definition

X-ray imaging is a research field and methodological approach centered on utilizing X-rays to generate images revealing the internal structure and composition of objects or organisms. It investigates the physics of X-ray interaction with matter and image reconstruction techniques, serving as a crucial tool for diagnostics, analysis, and non-destructive evaluation across various disciplines.

Ontological type

Core Physics

Imaging Modalities

Reconstruction Algorithms

Key developments

Key Figures

Foundations of Quantitative Imaging era

Edward A. Stern [1] is associated with the University of Washington [3] and the California Institute of Technology [4] during this era, contributing to the foundations of quantitative X-ray imaging. His work on the extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure technique—representing the 1975 Extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure technique II: Experimental practice and selected results [7]—advanced the experimental practice and the link between X-ray scattering and local microstructure, underpinning the era's emphasis on quantitative interpretation. R. Giacconi [2] is associated with Harvard University [5] and Princeton University [6] during this era, contributing foundational concepts in X-ray imaging. His key contribution includes the 1960 paper A “telescope” for soft X-ray astronomy [8], which catalyzed early instrumentation and imaging strategies for soft X-rays and helped bridge imaging with spectral analysis in the Foundations of Quantitative Imaging era.

Three-Dimensional Tomography Expansion era

J. J. Rehr [1] has shaped the 1980-2004 era of x-ray tomography research across leading institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania [3] and Université Paris-Sud [4]. His key contributions include Real-space multiple-scattering calculation and interpretation of x-ray-absorption near-edge structure [6] and <i>Ab initio</i>curved-wave x-ray-absorption fine structure [7], which together provided essential tools for interpreting X-ray absorption spectra and advancing 3D tomographic modeling in materials and biology. F. Haberl [2] is another figure of the era, associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology [5]. F. Haberl [2] contributed The European Photon Imaging Camera on XMM-Newton: The pn-CCD camera [8], a development that expanded X-ray imaging capabilities and underpinned 3D tomography during this period.

Computational Coherent Nanoscopy era

Franz Pfeiffer[1] is a pioneering figure in the Computational Coherent Nanoscopy era, with affiliations spanning the University of Pennsylvania[3] and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne[4] during this period. His key contributions include Phase retrieval and differential phase-contrast imaging with low-brilliance X-ray sources[6], Hard-X-ray dark-field imaging using a grating interferometer[7], and Hard-X-Ray Lensless Imaging of Extended Objects[8], which collectively advanced nanoscale contrast, dose efficiency, and the capabilities of lensless imaging in this era. Oliver Bunk[2] is a central figure in this era, with affiliations at the University of California, Los Angeles[5] and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne[4] during this period. His key contributions include Phase retrieval and differential phase-contrast imaging with low-brilliance X-ray sources[6], Hard-X-ray dark-field imaging using a grating interferometer[7], and Hard-X-Ray Lensless Imaging of Extended Objects[8], underscoring how computational coherent imaging frameworks and phase-retrieval approaches shaped nanoscale imaging and dose-efficient data gathering in this era.