Application of sensitive, high-resolution imaging at a commercial lab-based X-ray micro-CT system using propagation-based phase retrieval.

Several dedicated commercial lab-based micro-computed tomography (μCT) systems exist, which provide high-resolution images of samples, with the capability to also deliver in-line phase contrast. X-ray phase contrast is particularly beneficial when visualizing very small features and weakly absorbing samples. The raw measured projections will include both phase and absorption effects. Extending our previous work that addressed the optimization of experimental conditions at the commercial ZEISS Xradia 500 Versa system, single-distance phase-contrast imaging is demonstrated on complex biological and material samples. From data captured at this system, we demonstrate extraction of the phase signal or the correction of the mixed image for the phase shift, and show how this procedure increases the contrast and removes artefacts. These high-quality images, measured without the use of a synchrotron X-ray source, demonstrate that highly sensitive, micrometre-resolution imaging of 3D volumes is widely accessible using commercially advanced laboratory devices.