High-energy synchrotron X-ray multimodal computed tomography: enabling multiscale materials characterization at...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Chemistry

Background:

• Advanced materials research requires comprehensive characterization techniques.
• Existing methods may lack the ability to probe materials at multiple length scales and provide simultaneous chemical and structural information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the commissioning of a novel multimodal computed tomography (CT) experimental setup.
• To enable comprehensive characterization of high-Z materials for nuclear and advanced materials research.

Main Methods:

• Commissioning of a high-energy (>60 keV) multimodal CT setup at the 28-ID-2 (XPD) beamline.
• Utilizing four complementary CT modalities: X-ray absorption, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and pair distribution function tomography.
• Employing a tunable X-ray beam size from millimeters to micrometers.

Main Results:

• The setup enables simultaneous capture of atomic, elemental, and morphological information from heterogeneous samples.
• Demonstrated capability to analyze complex materials with both amorphous and crystalline systems.
• Successful characterization of a custom-made heterogeneous sample.

Conclusions:

• The multimodal CT setup offers a holistic approach to materials study.
• This resource is essential for nuclear and advanced materials research.
• The combination of imaging, structural, and chemical sensitive methods provides unprecedented insights into complex materials.