Handling misalignment in differential phase contrast imaging

Abstract

The present invention relates to handling misalignment in differential phase contrast imaging. In order to provide an improved handling of misalignment in X-ray imaging systems for differential phase contrast imaging, an X-ray imaging system () for differential phase contrast imaging is provided that comprises a differential phase contrast setup () with an X-ray source (), an X-ray detector (), and a grating arrangement comprising a source grating (), a phase grating () and an analyzer grating (). The source grating is arranged between the X-ray source and the phase grating, and the analyzer grating is arranged between the phase grating and the detector. Further, the system comprises a processing unit (), and a measurement system () for determining a misalignment of at least one of the gratings. The X-ray source and the source grating are provided as a rigid X-ray source unit (). The phase grating, the analyzer grating and the detector are provided as a rigid X-ray detection unit (). The measurement system is an optical measurement system configured to determine a misalignment between the differential phase contrast setup consisting of the X-ray source unit and the X-ray detection unit. Further, the processing unit is configured to provide a correction signal () based on the determined misalignment.