Speakers
Hans Hertz
High-spatial-resolution propagation-based phase-contrast x-ray imaging requires a small-spot high-flux source. We pioneered the liquid-metal-jet microfocus source which, in its present commercial implementation, provides a 5-25 µm x-ray spot with up to 1 kW e-beam power (Excillum AB). This source enables several biomedical phase-contrast imaging applications where high spatial resolution, high contrast and short exposure time are critical. Examples: Cellular-resolution imaging for virtual x-ray histology as well as for clinical resection margin assessment, potentially with rapid intraoperative feedback. Preclinical in-vivo small-animal lung imaging, where exposure times must be short due to the respiratory movement. Furthermore, we will provide an outlook towards clinical phase-contrast medical imaging based on two computational studies. Finally, and if time permits, our efforts on X-ray fluorescence imaging for high-resolution detection of tumors in live mice are discussed.
Hertz received his PhD in optical physics 1988 at Lund University, Sweden and did his post-doc at Dept. of Applied Physics, Stanford University. Since 1997 he is full professor of Biomedical Physics at the Royal Inst. of Technol. (KTH), Stockholm. Here he leads a multi-disciplinary research team grounded in x-ray science and technology and with strong interaction to nanochemistry, cell biology, and preclinical and clinical medicine. He pioneered the liquid-jet laser-plasma source, the liquid-metal-jet electron-impact source, and several laboratory high-resolution imaging methods. The research has resulted in a few spin-off companies. Present research interests include high-resolution phase-contrast x-ray imaging, x-ray fluorescence imaging, x-ray microscopy, and biomedical applications, from cell biology to clinical.