225 kV x-ray source on left detectors on right; pat turntable is in the center. Flat panel detector on left with object in front of it the image intensifier is the round object on the right. Image of an in vetro human lumbar segment showing trabecular bone structure and surrounding soft tissue.

BIR has high-resolution volume micro-CT capabilities for imaging microstructures and materials‚ measuring internal features of small industrial parts and analyzing organic specimens. The system is equipped with a 5-micron focal spot‚ continuously-pumped 225 kV microfocus x-ray source. In addition‚ the system has dual detectors. The first detector is a dual-mode 50 mm/100 mm (2”/4”) Toshiba image intensifier coupled to a 1K x 1K digital camera. The response rate of this detector allows for fast data acquisition on small objects up to 149 mm in diameter. Pixel resolution at the detector is:             90 microns in (100 mm) 4" mode              45 micron in (50 mm) 2" mode With magnification‚ pixel resolutions in the 10 to 50 micron range are possible on very small objects. The second detector is a Varian PaxScan 2520 amorphous silicon flat panel. It provides a larger field of view. Its inherent square pixels improves measurement accuracy. The flat panel has an active area of approximately 7 x 9 inches (17.9 x 23.8 cm). It has a 127 micron pitch at the detector. With magnification‚ pixel resolutions in the 10 to 50 micron range is also achievable on very small objects. The system provides circular Feldkamp volume CT (rotate only) as well as large field of view (LFOV) volume CT. The LFOV mode allows imaging of an object 1.5 to 1.8 time larger than the field of view of the detector. While the system is designed for microfocus imaging it can accommodate a 200 mm diameter x 600 mm tall (7.88” dia. x 23.6 “ tall) physical part weighing up to 5 kg. The computerized machine tool grade mechanical axes make this system repeatable to 0.0005 inch. It is suitable for both nondestructive testing and metrology applications. Typical applications include: Small animal and human bone analysis Electronic components analysis Dry cell battery analysis Organic and inorganic implant analysis Small aluminum casting porosity and internal measurement Small fossil and geological sample analysis   Volume rendering of a rose made from a volume CT produced with Volume Graphics VG StudioMax™