Multicontrast X-ray imaging with high resolution and sensitivity using Talbot–Lau interferometry (TLI) offers unique imaging capabilities that are important to a wide range of applications, including the study of morphological features with different physical properties in biological specimens. The conventional X-ray TLI approach relies on an absorption grating to create an array of micrometer-sized X-ray sources, posing numerous limitations, including technical challenges associated with grating fabrication for high-energy operations. We overcome these limitations by developing a TLI system with a microarray anode–structured target (MAAST) source. The MAAST features an array of precisely controlled microstructured metal inserts embedded in a diamond substrate. Using this TLI system, tomography of a Drum fish tooth with high resolution and tri-contrast (absorption, phase, and scattering) reveals useful complementary structural information that is inaccessible otherwise. The results highlight the exceptional capability of high-resolution multicontrast X-ray tomography empowered by the MAAST-based TLI method in biomedical applications.

使用 Talbot-Lau 干涉测量法 (TLI) 具有高分辨率和灵敏度的多对比 X 射线成像提供了独特的成像能力，这对广泛的应用很重要，包括研究生物标本中具有不同物理特性的形态特征。传统的 X 射线 TLI 方法依赖于吸收光栅来创建微米尺寸的 X 射线源阵列，存在许多限制，包括与用于高能操作的光栅制造相关的技术挑战。我们通过开发具有微阵列阳极结构目标 (MAAST) 源的 TLI 系统来克服这些限制。MAAST 具有一系列精确控制的微结构金属嵌件，嵌入金刚石基材中。使用这个 TLI 系统，具有高分辨率和三对比（吸收、相位和散射）的鼓鱼牙齿的断层扫描揭示了有用的补充结构信息，否则无法获得。结果突出了基于 MAAST 的 TLI 方法在生物医学应用中赋予的高分辨率多对比 X 射线断层扫描的卓越能力。