'Dark field' X-rays reveal bodies in new detail

New Scientist ^ | 1/21/08 | Tom Simonite

[LibWhacker]

A set of simple silicon filters could dramatically improve the quality of X-ray images produced in hospitals and at airport checkpoints.

The technique provides a more detailed picture of fractured bone and could help airport security scanners distinguish plastic explosives from harmless substances.

X-ray images normally reveal the way different materials, including body tissue, absorb X-ray radiation. Strongly absorbing areas are white and weakly absorbing ones black. But finer details are often lost in a fog caused by areas with intermediate radiation-absorbing ability.

[FreedomOfExpression]

From the article:
The technique is not yet ready for deployment in hospitals as it only works with relatively low-intensity X-rays.

A higher total dose is delivered because they have to take four separate "pictures".

Interesting.
They adapted a technique that is normally used to get a clearer view of cells under a light microscope.

I guess going to the dark side can be beneficial!