How X-ray dark-field imaging relates to small-angle X-ray scattering measurements

Dark-field (DF) imaging is a recent X-ray imaging modality which is promising because it gives access to information not resolved in conventional transmission X-ray imaging. The DF technique was first introduced as a loss of visibility of the grating interferometry modulations. DF signal is now measured with all the different X-ray phase contrast setups such as beam tracking or modulation-based imaging. Using a dedicated setup [Magnin et al. (2023). Opt. Lett. 48, 5839–5842], we present in the present article combined measurements of small-angle X-ray scattering and DF signal on the same material. We confirm that DF imaging is sensitive to multiple refraction from a sample, as can be found in the literature on lung imaging, but we show that the DF signal is also sensitive to scattering events. Finally, we measure a porous membrane that creates both types of signal (scattering and refraction), showing that, contrary to existing models, it is difficult to be quantitative about DF.