A Python-based package for X-ray phase contrast imaging data analysis and CT reconstruction: first developments

X-ray imaging has improved significantly as a high-resolution and non-invasive probe to detect the internal structures of samples in different fields. While the conventional absorption contrast method is particularly beneficial for characterising medium-density samples (but not for low-Z materials), Phase Contrast X-ray imaging is an effective technique for detecting low contrast details in weakly absorbing samples. As such, it has great potential in many fields of application, delivering high-quality information on micro-structural features. X-ray Grating Interferometry is one of the techniques vastly adopted at both synchrotron facilities and laboratories for phase contrast analysis, where the diffraction patterns generated by gratings are used to extract phase information. In this paper, a Python-based package for signals extraction (absorption, differential phase and dark field) and computed tomography reconstruction is illustrated; the code is developed in the framework of the PRIN2022 PITCH Italian project, based on a Metaljet X-ray source in a laboratory setup installed at the University of Torino, and focused on the analysis of Cultural Heritage materials. This package can be used through preset Jupyter Notebooks for the different tasks; also, a user-friendly GUI is in preparation.