Quantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques

Abstract The performance of an X-ray grating interferometry system depends on the geometry and quality of the gratings. Fabrication of micrometer-pitch high-aspect-ratio gold gratings, which are essential for measuring small refraction angles at higher energies, is challenging. The two widely used t...

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Main Authors: Alexandre Pereira, Simon Spindler, Zhitian Shi, Lucia Romano, Michał Rawlik, Federica Marone, Daniel Josell, Martin Stauber, Marco Stampanoni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98148-z
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author Alexandre Pereira
Simon Spindler
Zhitian Shi
Lucia Romano
Michał Rawlik
Federica Marone
Daniel Josell
Martin Stauber
Marco Stampanoni
author_facet Alexandre Pereira
Simon Spindler
Zhitian Shi
Lucia Romano
Michał Rawlik
Federica Marone
Daniel Josell
Martin Stauber
Marco Stampanoni
author_sort Alexandre Pereira
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The performance of an X-ray grating interferometry system depends on the geometry and quality of the gratings. Fabrication of micrometer-pitch high-aspect-ratio gold gratings, which are essential for measuring small refraction angles at higher energies, is challenging. The two widely used technologies for manufacturing gratings are based on gold electroplating in polymeric or silicon templates. Here, gratings manufactured by both approaches were inspected using conventional microscopy, X-ray synchrotron radiography, and computed laminography to extract characteristic features of the gratings profile to be modeled accurately. These models were used in a wave-propagation simulation to predict the effects of the gratings’ geometry and defects on the quality of a Talbot-Lau interferometer in terms of visibility and absorption capabilities. The simulated outcomes of grating features produced with both techniques could eventually be observed and evaluated in a table-top Talbot-Lau-Interferometer.
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spelling doaj-art-9f3975c709ff44ca8b177d6387ae1ceb2025-08-20T02:19:07ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-98148-zQuantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniquesAlexandre Pereira0Simon Spindler1Zhitian Shi2Lucia Romano3Michał Rawlik4Federica Marone5Daniel Josell6Martin Stauber7Marco Stampanoni8Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich and University of ZürichInstitute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich and University of ZürichInstitute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich and University of ZürichInstitute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich and University of ZürichInstitute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich and University of ZürichSwiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer InstituteMaterials Science and Engineering Division, NISTGratXrayInstitute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich and University of ZürichAbstract The performance of an X-ray grating interferometry system depends on the geometry and quality of the gratings. Fabrication of micrometer-pitch high-aspect-ratio gold gratings, which are essential for measuring small refraction angles at higher energies, is challenging. The two widely used technologies for manufacturing gratings are based on gold electroplating in polymeric or silicon templates. Here, gratings manufactured by both approaches were inspected using conventional microscopy, X-ray synchrotron radiography, and computed laminography to extract characteristic features of the gratings profile to be modeled accurately. These models were used in a wave-propagation simulation to predict the effects of the gratings’ geometry and defects on the quality of a Talbot-Lau interferometer in terms of visibility and absorption capabilities. The simulated outcomes of grating features produced with both techniques could eventually be observed and evaluated in a table-top Talbot-Lau-Interferometer.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98148-z
spellingShingle Alexandre Pereira
Simon Spindler
Zhitian Shi
Lucia Romano
Michał Rawlik
Federica Marone
Daniel Josell
Martin Stauber
Marco Stampanoni
Quantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques
Scientific Reports
title Quantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques
title_full Quantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques
title_fullStr Quantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques
title_full_unstemmed Quantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques
title_short Quantifying grating defects in X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques
title_sort quantifying grating defects in x ray talbot lau interferometry through a comparative study of two fabrication techniques
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98148-z
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