Abstract:
Methods and systems for reducing the effect of finite source size on illumination beam spot size for Transmission, Small-Angle X-ray Scatterometry (T-SAXS) measurements are described herein. A beam shaping slit having a slender profile is located in close proximity to the specimen under measurement and does not interfere with wafer stage components over the full range of angles of beam incidence. In one embodiment, four independently actuated beam shaping slits are employed to effectively block a portion of an incoming x-ray beam and generate an output beam having a box shaped illumination cross-section. In one aspect, each of the beam shaping slits is located at a different distance from the specimen in a direction aligned with the beam axis. In another aspect, the beam shaping slits are configured to rotate about the beam axis in coordination with the orientation of the specimen.
Abstract:
An assembly for Kratky collimator is provided. The assembly may be used for a small angle x-ray camera or system requiring such filtering. The assembly may include a first block with a first working surface and a second block with a second working surface. The first and second blocks may be aligned with the first working surface pointing an opposite direction of the second working surface and the first working surface being aligned in a common plane with the second working surface. In some implementations, the first block may comprise a crystal material. In some implementations, an extension may of the first block may be configured position a beamstop.
Abstract:
A method and system are provided, for imaging a region of interest with pinhole based imaging. The method comprising: collecting input radiation from the region of interest through a selected set of a plurality of a predetermined number of aperture arrays, each array having a predetermined arrangement of apertures and collecting the input radiation during a collection time period, wherein said selected set of the aperture arrays and the corresponding collection time periods defining a total effective transmission function of the radiation collection, generating image data from the collected input radiation, said image data comprising said predetermined number of image data pieces corresponding to the input radiation collected through the aperture arrays respectively, processing the image data pieces utilizing said total effective transmission function of the radiation collection, and determining a restored image of the region of interest. The set of aperture arrays is preferably selected such that said total effective transmission function provides non-null transmission for spatial frequencies being lower than a predetermined maximal spatial frequency.
Abstract:
An x-ray computed tomography system (14) includes a gantry (15), a plurality of elements (18), and one or more processors (28). The gantry (15) moves to different orientations and generates x-ray data which includes image projection data at a plurality of the orientations. The plurality of elements (18) connect to the gantry and cause x-ray attenuation of the generated projection data. The one or more processors (28) are programmed to receive (60) the generated x-ray data and decompose (62) the received image projection data into indications of relative positions of the plurality of elements at different orientations of the gantry.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a multi-leaf collimator (1) with leaf drives (2), with two sets (4, 4') of displaceable leaves (3, 3', 3",...) arranged side by side of each other and facing each other in order to impress a high-energy beam (5) with the shape of an irregularly formed treatment object (6) by enabling each of the leaves (2) to assume a position oriented along the shape of the treatment object (6) by means of a leaf drive (2), with the leaf drives (2) being designed in such a way that the leaves (3, 3', 3",...) are each equipped with a gear rod-like drive engagement (8, 8', 8",....) in the direction of the displacement (7). The invention facilitates a design of leaf drives as compact and lightweight as possible and an advantageous arrangement in an irradiation head due to the fact that a leaf-side pivotable gear segment (9, 9', 9",... ) located, together with a motor-side gear segment (10, 10', 10",...), on a segment disk (11, 11', 11",...) engages with the gear rod-like drive engagement (8, 8', 8",....), with a pinion (13) drivable by a motor (12) engaging with the motor-side gear segment (10, 10', 10',...); that the segment discs (11, 11', 11",...) are arranged side by side for each set (4, 4') of leaves (3, 3', 3",...) as a package (15) on one axis (14); and that the motor-side gear segments (10, 10', 10",...) of two segment disks (11, 11', 11",...) located next to each other are staggered in such a way that they will not abut each other; that the segment disks (11, 11', 11",...) are positioned on a radiation source-facing side (46) of the leaves (3, 3', 3",...); and that the segment disks (11, 11', 11",...) have a radius (R) that is comparable to a predefined range of displacement (D) of the leaves (3, 3', 3",...).
Abstract:
The invention relates to an anti-scatter arrangement as well as to a radiation detector (110) and an examination apparatus comprising such an arrangement. The anti-scatter arrangement comprises an actuator (113) by which an anti-scatter grid (111) can be tilted such that its focus axis (A) can be adjusted to different focal spots (F) of a radiation source (120).
Abstract:
An apparatus and method to deliver intensity modulated radiation therapy by irradiating a treatment volume with rotation of the radiation beam. The system includes a collimation device comprising a two-dimensional array of pivoting attenuating leaves, which are temporarily placed into the radiation beam path as the gantry rotates around the patient. The leaves are independently movable between a first position and a second position. The radiation beam intensity is modulated by controlling the time that each leaf is present to attenuate the beam.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a collimator (1) primarily adapted for usage in a narrow scanned pencil beam radiation therapy system (100). The collimator comprises adjacent pairs (5) of collimator leaves (10, 20). An inner portion (12) of a collimator leaf (10) facing the opposite leaf (20) of a pair (5) is made of a first material having high linear radiation attenuation. The remaining, major portion (14) of the leaf (10) is made of a second material having a comparatively low density, weight and radiation attenuation. The collimator (1) provides effective penumbra trimming of a radiation beam (60), while simultaneously protecting healthy tissue around a tumor in an irradiated patient (80) from the radiation. The new design results in a significantly more compact, lighter and less expensive collimator (1) as compared to traditional collimators.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for collimation of a penetrating radiation source, such as an x- ray source, for the purpose of creating a scanning beam, as might be employed for purposes of imaging. A first scanning element, constrained to move about a first axis, has at least one aperture for scanning radiation from inside the first scanning element to outside the first scanning element. A second- scanning element constrained to move with respect to a second axis, typically identical to the first, has at least one aperture for scanning radiation that has been transmitted through the first scanning element across a region of an inspected object.