Reconstructing x-ray fluorescence microtomograms

X-ray fluorescence microtomography allows one to map element distributions inside a sample with high sensitivity and resolutions in the micrometer ran ge. Quantitative reconstruction of the element concentrations from the fluo rescence data requires correction for the attenuation inside the sample. Ho wever, the attenuation of the fluorescence radiation is not directly access ible by experiment. The method described self-consistently estimates this a ttenuation and allows one to reconstruct relative concentrations. This is d emonstrated on numerical as well as experimental data. A measure for the qu ality of the reconstruction is given. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physic s.