Scanning K-edge Subtraction Imaging is Enabled by the Angle-correlated Spectra of Laser Compton X-ray Sources

Abstract

Tuning the Compton edge energy of a Laser Compton X-ray source is difficult on the experimental time scale for K-edge subtraction (KES) imaging. Scanning KES imaging can overcome this difficulty by utilizing angle-correlated spectra.

Bayesian optimization of laser-Compton x-ray sources for medical imaging applications

“…Because the energy is dependent on the scattering angle in a LCS source, energies that are both above and below a contrast element's K-edge may be present simultaneously and separated in space. This enables a single tuning of the electron beam energy be made and translation of the object through the X-ray source exposes it to both energies in a process we refer to as scanning K-edge subtraction (SKES) [8,9]. Such a configuration eliminates the need for two separate energy tunings making the imaging time faster.…”