Ghost projection: towards an x-ray spatial light modulator

Ghost imaging works by preparing two copies of a patterned illumination beam. One copy is sent through the specimen and only the total intensity transmitted is recorded, by a point (or bucket) detector. The second copy is measured directly by an array detector (without passing through the sample). The first experimental x-ray ghost imaging was achieved at ID19@ESRF and reported by our team, in a landmark paper in 2016. In subsequent experiments at ID19 we produced 2D, 3D and then phase-contrast x-ray ghost imaging. This proposal takes the topic in a completely new direction: ghost projection. Rather than recording bucket-signal correlations to image an object, we establish such correlations to create a desired image. We create an arbitrary spatial distribution of intensity by illuminating a single spatially-random screen and transversely scanning it. This proposal aims at realising a 2D ghost projection proof of concept, can be considered as a spatial light modulator for x rays.