Development of an X-ray real-time stereo imaging technique using synchrotron radiation.

An X-ray stereo imaging system with synchrotron radiation was developed at BL20B2, SPring-8. A portion of a wide X-ray beam was Bragg-reflected by a silicon crystal to produce an X-ray beam which intersects with the direct X-ray beam. Samples were placed at the intersection point of the two beam paths. X-ray stereo images were recorded simultaneously by a detector with a large field of view placed close to the sample. A three-dimensional wire-frame model of a sample was created from the depth information that was obtained from the lateral positions in the stereo image. X-ray stereo angiography of a mouse femoral region was performed as a demonstration of real-time stereo imaging. Three-dimensional arrangements of the femur and blood vessels were obtained.