High spatial resolution x-ray luminescence computed tomography and x-ray fluorescence computed tomography

X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) and X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) are two emerging technologies in X-ray imaging. In these modalities, images are formed through detection of secondary emissions (light in XLCT, or secondary X-rays in XFCT) following X-ray excitations. XLCT and XFCT enable us to leverage the widely used X-ray imaging for simultaneous in vivo molecular and functional imaging. Depending on the geometry of the excitation X-ray beam (pencil-, fan-, and cone-beam or coded apertures), optimal tradeoff between imaging efficiency and spatial resolution can be achieved. The novel imaging principles of XLCT/XFCT make it possible to achieve a spatial resolution comparable to that of anatomical X-ray imaging. Here, we summarize our studies in this area in the past decade and discuss their prospects.