X-ray phase-contrast radiography using a filtered white beam with a grating interferometer

One of the most promising methods of phase-contrast imaging is the Talbot grating interferometry. We report about the optimization of the method for fast imaging, requiring reduced exposure times by keeping sufficient imaging contrast. To do this a new Talbot interferometer working with a broad energy bandwidth beam has been installed at the Topo–Tomo beamline at ANKA. We demonstrate the method with a filtered white beam and without the need of a source grating that is commonly used at moderate-emittance synchrotron sources. Taking advantage of a higher photon flux, the exposure time is significantly reduced. At the same time, images obtained with this setup show a sufficient visibility contrast of 25% on average, which opens the way for new applications in real-time measurements.