Work

A new user facility with flexible multi-scale, multi-contrast micro-CT capabilities

Year: 2024

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Many fields, from aerospace engineering to cultural heritage, can benefit from x-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT). However, access to x-ray imaging tools remains limited for non-expert users. The UK’s National X-Ray Computed Tomography facility (NXCT) therefore aims to provide access and expert support to academia and industry. As part of the NXCT, at UCL we have developed a unique user facility with multi-scale and multi-contrast x-ray micro-CT capabilities. Our custom system has an x-ray generator with Molybdenum and Copper targets, which can be changed to adapt the energy to the needs of an imaging experiment. The x-rays are emitted on both sides of the source allowing for two imaging stations: one at mm-sized field-of-view (FOV) with resolutions of around 1μm, the “high-resolution station”; and one at cm-sized FOV with resolutions of around 10μm, the “large FOV station”. The high-resolution station is fitted with a custom mirror which gives a monochromatic beam at 17.5keV (for Mo) and 8keV (for Cu). Both stations can be operated with phase-contrast methods such as free-space propagation or beam tracking. Access to this new imaging facility, dedicated to academic and industrial users, is supported through free-at-the-point-of-access and paid schemes.

Source: Developments in X-Ray Tomography

DOI: 10.1117/12.3028029