Comparison between x-ray tube-based and synchrotron radiation-based μCT

Abstract

Nowadays, X-ray tube-based high-resolution CT systems are widely used in scientific research and industrial applications. But the potential, convenience and economy of these lab systems is often underestimated. The present paper shows the comparison of sophisticated conventional µCT with synchrotron radiation-based µCT (SRµCT). The different aspects and characteristics of both approaches like spatial and density resolution, penetration depth, scanning time or sample size is described in detail. The tube-based µCT measurements were performed with a granite-based phoenix nanotom CT system (GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, Wunstorf, Germany) equipped with a 180 kV -15 W high-power nanofocus tube with tungsten or molybdenum targets. The tube offers a wide range of applications from scanning low absorbing samples in nanofocus mode with voxel sizes below 500 nm and strong absorbing objects in the high power mode with focal spot and voxel sizes of a few microns. The SRµCT measurements were carried out with the absorption contrast set-up at the beamlines W 2 and BW 2 at HASYLAB/DESY (Hamburg, Germany), operated by the GKSS Research Center. The range of samples examined covers materials of very different absorption levels and related photon energies for the CT scans. Both quantitative and qualitative comparisons of CT scans using composites from the field of materials science are shown.

Non-invasive imaging methods applied to neo- and paleo-ontological cephalopod research

“…Based on the observations of Brunke et al (2008) and our own experiences the nano-CT fills the gap between micro-CT and SRµCT with respect to resolution and contrast properties of the produced images. Compared to a synchrotron facility set-up the access to a nano-CT is much easier.…”

Comparison of methods for the determination of the pore system of a potential German gas shale

“…The nanotom 180 was designed specifically for the investigation of small (rock) samples, to achieve 3D image data sets of high quality and with very high resolution (Brunke et al, 2008). This device is equipped with a special water-cooled nanofocus X-ray tube (180 kV, 15 W), which allows several modes of operation depending on sample size and habit for best possible results.…”

Development of a numerical workflow based on <i>μ</i>-CT imaging for the determination of capillary pressure–saturation-specific interfacial area relationship in 2-phase flow pore-scale porous-media systems: a case study on Heletz sandstone

“…The nanotom is a compact CT system for pore-scale imaging purposes, i.e. for high-resolution imaging within the micrometre (typically 1-2 µm) to submicrometre range (about 700 nm for very small samples), featuring high image sharpness due to a significantly reduced penumbra effect (Brunke et al, 2008). The image data were processed with the AVIZO Fire software suite (www.fei.com/software/avizo3d/), including scan artefact reduction and image filtering.…”