3D X-ray imaging facility

Technical specification

We have 10 scanners across our 2 sites. They can handle sample sizes with imaged volumes up to 1.5 x 1 x 1m, and spatial resolutions down to approximately 200 nm. We host 6 of the scanners at this location:

• Diondo d5 - walk-in scanner
• Custom 450/225 kVp Hutch - for specimens up to 100kg
• Modified 225 kVp Nikon/Xtek HMX - for specimens less than 300 mm
• Zeiss 160 kVp Versa 510 - for specimens in contained in-situ rings
• Gatan XuM/Zeiss Evo MA25 - for specimens 1-2mm and below
• Nikon/Xtek 160 kVp Benchtop - for training and education

Diondo d5

This is our latest walk-in scanner will band e available to internal and external users from autumn 2022. It is funded by the ESPRC as part of the The National X‑ray Computed Tomography facility.

• 300 kVp and 450 kVp X-Ray sources 
• resolutions:  300 kVp source, 450 kVp source
• 3000 x 3000 FP detector (active area 417 x 417mm) 
• scanning modes: horizontal and vertical field-of-view expansion and cropping, helical scanning, linear translation laminograpgy 
• scattering compensation 
• imaging volume in excess of 1x1x1.5 m
• 200 kg rating sample stage 
• temperature controlled  
• user labyrinth and large 5 x 3.5 x 3.5 m enclosure for large specimens and/or complex in situ testing

Custom 450/225 kVp Hutch

This is best for specimens whose dimensions range from a few millimetres in cross-section up to 1 x 1 x 1.5 m and weigh up to 100 kg.

• 20 - 225 kVp and 100-450 kVp X-Ray sources
• resolutions: ~3µm at low kV, 50µm at 450kV 
• FP and CLDA detectors 
• panel shift system 
• up to 1x1x1.5 m imaging volume 
• 100 kg rating 
• temperature controlled 
• large user labyrinth

Modified 225 kVp Nikon/Xtek HMX

This is perfect for small specimens of less than 300 mm in height.

• three configurations
• transmission (~1µm spot limit, low flux)
• standard reflection (~3µm spot, 'normal' flux)
• rotating target (~10µm spot limit, x3-5 flux)
• 2 x 2k flat panel detector
• samples to ~300mm and 50kg
• robotic sample exchange (~150mm height limit)

Zeiss 160 kVp Versa 510

This allows for imaging of large or small specimens in contained in-situ rings which is useful for biomedical imaging, carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and polymer imaging.

• 30 -160 kVp
• 2048 x 2048 pixel detector
• multiple magnification objectives up to 40x
• 0.7 µm true spatial resolution
• phase-contrast imaging modes applications.

Gatan XuM/Zeiss Evo MA25

This is used in the life sciences for the analysis and reconstruction of biological specimens.

• optimised for 4-12kV operation
• selection of targets (bulk and thin), ~200nm resolution capabilities
• phase enhanced contrast
• 1340x1300 camera
• samples 1-2mm and below

Nikon/Xtek 160 kVp Benchtop

This scanner is available for training and workshops.

• 30 -160 kVp
• reflection source, ~3µm spot size limit
• 1248x1248 flat panel detector
• samples to ~90mm diameter, 5kg

Scanners at our partner site

Our 4 specialist histology scanners are hosted at the hospital:

• Nikon XTH225ST XRH 3D X-ray histology scanner
• Nikon Med-X (alpha)
• MILabs U-CT 3D/4D optical imaging / microCT system
• SkyScan 1176 in-vivo CT scanner