High Resolution Monochromatic X-Ray Tomography Using Synchrotron Radiation

We have improved the spatial resolution of X-ray computed tomographic (CT) images using monochromatic synchrotron radiation and a high resolution X-ray sensing pickup tube as a two-dimensional detector. The developed CT imaging system was used to observe nondestructively fine structures, such as cracks, and the chemical component distribution in a ceramic. A high resolution of 10 µm was obtained. The yttrium distribution in the ceramic was obtained using the difference between two CT images, above and below the absorption edge. The possibility of imaging small samples with a resolution of a few µm is described.