Non-destructive 3D imaging method using muonic X-rays and a CdTe double-sided strip detector

Abstract

Elemental analysis based on muonic X-rays resulting from muon irradiation provides information about bulk material composition without causing damage, which is essential in the case of precious or otherwise unreachable samples, such as in archeology and planetary science. We developed a three-dimensional (3D) elemental analysis technique by combining the elemental analysis method based on negative muons with an imaging cadmium telluride double-sided strip detector (CdTe-DSD) designed for the hard X-ray and soft $$\gamma$$ γ -ray observation. A muon irradiation experiment using spherical plastic samples was conducted at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC); a set of projection images was taken by the CdTe-DSD, equipped with a pinhole collimator, for different sample rotation angles. The projection images measured by the CdTe-DSD were utilized to obtain a 3D volumetric phantom by using the maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm. The reconstructed phantom successfully revealed the 3D distribution of carbon in the bulk samples and the stopping depth of the muons. This result demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed non-destructive 3D elemental analysis method for bulk material analysis based on muonic X-rays.

Gamma-ray computed tomography system with a double-sided strip detector

“…A 133 Ba source mainly emits 81.0 (32.9%) and 356.0 keV (62.1%) γ-rays and 30.6 (33.9%), 31.0 (62.2%), and 35.0 keV (11.4%) X-rays [36,37]. The energy resolutions of the detector for the 31 and 81 keV peaks were measured to be 2.40 and 2.78 keV (in FWHM), respectively, from the measurements.…”

Non‐destructive elemental analysis of lunar meteorites using a negative muon beam

“…Thus far, we have been attempting to analyze a sample from the C‐type asteroid, Ryugu, by conducting a non‐destructive 3‐D X‐ray analysis using a negative muon beam and applying carbonaceous chondrites (Chiu et al., 2022; Ninomiya et al., 2019; Terada et al., 2014; Terada, Sato, et al., 2017). This non‐destructive analysis offers a major advantage over conventional characteristic X‐ray analysis in being sensitive to light elements, such as B, C, N, and O (Terada et al., 2014).…”

Feasibility study of a coded aperture imaging technique for position-sensitive muonic X-ray atomic ratio reconstruction

“…Due to the high flux of muon beam enhancement in this century, 𝜇-XES element analysis has been recently applied in many fields, such as archaeological investigations [10,11], extraterrestrial material characterization [12][13][14], lithium battery development [15] and other applications [16][17][18]. Additionally, 𝜇-XES was used to study the spatial distribution of elements inside materials [19][20][21]. Hillier and collaborators placed a CdTe detector behind a sample consisting of C, Al and Fe 2 O 3 blocks to image the distribution of different elements in the sample [19].…”

“…Katsuragawa et al developed a pinhole camera by placing a single-hole collimator between the sample and the CdTe detector to obtain the reversed image of element distributions in the sample [20]. Followed by Chiu et al [21], the same research group developed 3D computed tomography using a rotating sample together with a pinhole camera. The 3D distribution of elements in the sample was reconstructed by combining the projection data using the Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization (MLEM) method.…”

“…The 3D distribution of elements in the sample was reconstructed by combining the projection data using the Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization (MLEM) method. The imaging techniques currently used in 𝜇-XES chemical element distribution imaging experiments mainly include "proximity imaging" [19] and pinhole imaging [20,21], as aforementioned. The former has a large detection solid angle and a high utilization rate of muon beams, but it is also accompanied by obvious irremovable imaging artifacts during reconstruction.…”