Journal Article

Phase retrieval by coherent modulation imaging

Robinson, Ian K., Zhang, Fucai, Guizar-Sicairos, Manuel, Chen, Bo, Morrison, Graeme R., Vila-Comamala, Joan

2016

Overview

Phase retrieval is a long-standing problem in imaging when only the intensity of the wavefield can be recorded. Coherent diffraction imaging is a lensless technique that uses iterative algorithms to recover amplitude and phase contrast images from diffraction intensity data. For general samples, phase retrieval from a single-diffraction pattern has been an algorithmic and experimental challenge. Here we report a method of phase retrieval that uses a known modulation of the sample exit wave. This coherent modulation imaging method removes inherent ambiguities of coherent diffraction imaging and uses a reliable, rapidly converging iterative algorithm involving three planes. It works for extended samples, does not require tight support for convergence and relaxes dynamic range requirements on the detector. Coherent modulation imaging provides a robust method for imaging in materials and biological science, while its single-shot capability will benefit the investigation of dynamical processes with pulsed sources, such as X-ray free-electron lasers. Robust coherent diffractive imaging generally requires many exposures that may damage samples. Here, the authors develop a single-shot X-ray imaging method applicable to general samples for materials and biological sciences, also enabling imaging of dynamic processes, using a pulsed X-ray laser.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 639/624/1107/510 / 639/624/400/1106 / 639/925/930/2735 / Algorithms / Experiments / Fourier transforms / Humanities and Social Sciences / Lasers / MATERIALS SCIENCE / multidisciplinary / Propagation / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Sensors / X-rays