The present invention relates to differential phase contrast imaging in particular to a structure of a diffraction grating e.g. an analyzer grating and a phase grating for X ray differential phase contrast imaging. In order to make better use of the X ray radiation passing the object a diffraction grating (14) for X ray differential phase contrast imaging is provided with at least one portion (24) of a first sub area (26) and at least one portion (28) of a second sub area (30). The first sub area comprises a grating structure (54) with a plurality of bars (34) and gaps (36) being arranged periodically with a first grating pitch P G (38) wherein the bars are arranged such that thy change the phase and/or amplitude of an X ray radiation and wherein the gaps are X ray transparent. The second sub area is X ray transparent and wherein the at least one portion of the second sub area provides an X ray 1 transparent aperture (40) in the grating. Portions of the first and second sub areas are arranged in an alternating manner in at least one direction (42).