Signal-to-noise ratio comparison of angular signal radiography and phase stepping method

Grating-based x-ray phase contrast imaging has the potential to be applied in future medical applications as it is compatible with both laboratory and synchrotron source. However, information retrieval methods are important because acquisition speed, scanning mode, image quality, and radiation dose depend on them. Phase-stepping (PS) is a widely used method to retrieve information, while angular signal radiography (ASR) is a newly established method. In this manuscript, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of ASR are compared with that of PS. Numerical experiments are performed to validate theoretical results. SNRs comparison shows that for refraction and scattering images ASR has higher SNR than PS method, while for absorption image both methods have same SNR. Therefore, our conclusions would have guideline in future preclinical and clinical applications. (paper)