Up to now

X-rays used for the phase-contrast imaging mostly come from synchrotron radiation facility. Radiation from X-ray tubes with a source size of the order of micrometer is also applicable for X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI)

because of its fairly good spatial coherence. In this paper

a new type of laboratory system for XPCI

based on a nanofocus X-ray tube with the source size of 500 run

is reported. The experimental results show that this XPCI lab system is applicable to the high resolution imaging of the inner structure for low Z samples

such as soft tissues

organic materials etc.. Resolution of a few micrometers was achieved. Compared to the system reported earlier

spatial resolution and effective flux for the new one have been greatly improved. Open angle for the cone-shaped X-ray beam is about 30? Distance between the sample and source can be easily adjusted to meet the specified magnification ratio through projection

so that the limits to the resolution of X-ray detectors can be reduced. It is possible for the system to investigate the samples with relatively large size

while a mechanic system is designed to ensure the transverse 2-d scanning of them. Important application potentials for the XPCI lab system can be found in the fields of clinical medicine

biology

material science

chemical reaction dynamics

etc..