What Is Microtomography (X-ray CT)?

Micro-CTNon-destructive 3D imaging

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a technique to image objects in 3D non-destructively. For example, you can study the internal dimensions of 3D printed objects or voids and cracks in molded parts. With a magnification mechanism, you can use X-ray CT as a microscope to study submicron-level internal structures such as pore morphology of foams and fiber orientation of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer).

The first commercial CT scanner became available in the ’70s. However, the technique was always used mainly for medical purposes and not so much for materials science and metrology, because we never had good enough of analysis tools or fast enough computers to deal with GB size images and produce quantitative analysis results.

Then, it all changed in the last several years. Today’s workstations can handle GB size images with no problem, and we can use sophisticated image processing algorithms such as Deep Learning to segment images into multiple phases and analyze their quantitative properties. With those advancements, X-ray CT will play a greater role in materials research in the coming years.

Here is how it works: X-ray projections are collected from different angles by rotating the sample or the X-ray source and 2D detector. The collected 2D projections are reconstructed into a 3D volume by the backprojection or other reconstruction methods. X-ray CT is an X-ray absorption contrast imaging technique, and X-ray energy needs to be optimized for each sample to maximize the absorption coefficient contrast. The magnification geometry and X-ray source and detector types is also optimized for the best resolution. The sample geometry is selected based on the type of experiment, the sample-rotation for high-resolution, and the sample-stationary type for in-vivo or in-situ experiments. Rigaku nano3DX is optimized for submicron resolution, high-contrast, and fast scans of soft materials. The CT Lab HX is optimized to cover a wide range of requirements from high-resolution (2.2 microns) to a large field-of-view (200 mm). The CT Lab GX employs the sample-stationary geometry for in-vivo and in-situ ultra-high-speed scans.

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