Fast tomography using quasi-monochromatic undulator radiation.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Biophysics

Background:

• High-resolution imaging of soft materials is crucial for understanding their dynamic structural changes.
• Traditional X-ray tomography often requires monochromatic beams, limiting speed and applicability for time-dependent studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a fast, high-resolution X-ray tomographic imaging technique using a helical undulator without a monochromator.
• To assess the feasibility of this method for studying dynamic structural changes in soft materials.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a helical undulator beamline without a monochromator for X-ray energies of 12.4-16.5 keV with a 2-3% energy bandwidth.
• Expanded the X-ray beam to 12 mm x 4 mm using two mirrors and homogenized it with a diffuser.
• Employed a detector with 9.9 microm x 9.9 microm pixel size.
• Achieved a 180-degree scan in 6 seconds with 454 projections at the highest speed.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated fast tomographic imaging with high resolution.
• Observed no significant beam-hardening effects.
• Successfully acquired 454 projections in 6 seconds for a 180-degree scan.

Conclusions:

• The developed X-ray tomographic imaging technique is fast and provides high resolution without a monochromator.
• This method is suitable for studying time-dependent structural changes in soft materials, including polymers and biological samples.