Micrometer resolution imaging using unmonochromatized synchrotron X-rays: Phantom, human breast tissue, and live animal imaging studies

A new 5C1 beam line was recently built on Pohang Light Source (PLS) in Korea for possible medical applications. An imaging system on the beam line consisted of silicon wafer attenuators, tungsten slit, CdWO₄ scintillator, CCD camera, and personal computer. Both spatial resolution test pattern and glass capillary filled with air bubbles were imaged to evaluate resolution and phase-contrast effects for synchrotron imaging system, respectively. Mammographic accreditation phantom, cancerous human breast specimens, and fish and nude mouse were also imaged. Both spatial resolution and image quality of the synchrotron imaging system were compared with those of conventional mammography system. The images of resolution test pattern showed a few tens of micrometer spatial resolution on synchrotron imaging system. The images of capillary filled with air bubbles revealed phase contrast effect. Mammographic accreditation phantom, human breast specimen, and animal images with synchrotron imaging system showed much higher resolution with great details to object and higher enhanced contrast compared to those with conventional mammography system. We successfully implemented and tested a micrometer resolution imaging system on PLS 5C1 beam line. Using a simple and inexpensive synchrotron imaging system on PLS 5C1 beam line, micrometer resolution images for resolution test pattern, mammographic accreditation phantom, human breast specimens, and live animals were acquired and visually evaluated.