Simulation based collimator design for X-ray diffraction imaging using the GATE toolkit

Different approaches to the design of devices for Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction (EDXRD) Imaging are compared considering the characteristics of the actually employed X-ray collimation system. For the purpose of quantitative comparison, a time-efficient Monte-Carlo simulation procedure has been developed, utilizing the GATE simulation toolkit. It serves to assess the influence of imperfections caused by energy dependent interactions of the incoming photons with the collimator material. In this contribution the concepts of the simulation program are described and a new EDXRD system based on a pencil beam topology is presented and compared to a 2D fan beam acquisition scheme. Technologies enabling the manufacturing process of the proposed collimator are shown.