SKYSCAN 2214 CMOS Edition

3D X-ray Microscopy at the Nanoscale
 
 

Bigger. Brighter. Bolder

 

The MULTISCALE X-ray microscope SKYSCAN 2214 CMOS covers the widest range of object sizes and spatial resolutions in a single instrument, enabling advanced 3D imaging and exact modeling of geological materials in oil and gas exploration, composite materials, Li batteries, fuel cells, electronic assemblies, as well as ex-vivo preclinical applications like in lung imaging or tumor vascularization.

The instrument allows scanning and 3D non-destructive reconstruction of the internal microstructure of objects as large as >300mm in diameter as well as submicron resolution for small samples.

The system is equipped with an “open type” transmission X-ray source with <0.5 micron spot size and a diamond window. It can accommodate up to four X-ray detectors for maximum flexibility. Automatic variable acquisition geometry and phase-contrast enhancement allows best possible quality in relatively short scanning time.

SKYSCAN 2214 is complemented by 3D.SUITE. This comprehensive software suite covers GPU-accelerated reconstruction, 2D/ 3D morphological analysis, as well as surface and volume rendering visualization.

 

Features

Source

 

The SKYSCAN 2214 uses a latest generation open-type X-ray source. The source offers true spatial resolution below 500 nm, an X-ray energy up to 160 keV and source power up to 16 W. The source is practically maintenance-free with an extremely easy pre-aligned filament replacement procedure.

The SKYSCAN 2214 has an open-type (pumped) nanofocus X-ray source with diamond window. It produces an X-ray beam with peak energy from 20 kV to 160 keV and is supplied with two types of cathodes. The tungsten (W) cathodes operate in the full range of accelerating voltages up to 160 kV and provide a spot size down to 800 nm. The lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) cathodes can be used for accelerating voltages from 20 kV to 100 kV and provide a spot size of the X-ray beam smaller than 500 nm to achieve the highest resolution in imaging and 3D reconstruction. The JIMA resolution pattern indicates that 500 nm structures can be easily resolved.

For long-term stability of the focal spot size and position of the emission point, the X-ray source is equipped with a liquid cooling system which contains a re-circulator providing precise temperature stability of the cooling fluid.

 

Detectors

 

The SKYSCAN 2214 can be equipped with up to four X-ray cameras for ultimate flexibility: three CMOS cameras with different resolution and field of view balance, and one flat panel detector to cover an XL field of view. All cameras can be selected with just a single mouse click.

Using large-format CMOS detectors with small pixel size allows extension of high-resolution 3D imaging to large objects. The built-in detector flexibility enables adjusting the field of view and spatial resolution according to the object size and density. An advanced reconstruction from a volume of interest provides scanning of a selected part of a large object with high resolution without compromising image quality.

Additionally, the field of view can be increased horizontally and vertically by using offset camera positions and vertical object movement. The 3D.SUITE software automatically stitches the different images together with compensation of the shifts and possible intensity differences

As research topics and analytical needs evolve, cameras can be retro-fitted at any point of time during the system’s lifetime.

In-situ stages

 

The high-precision object stage of the SKYSCAN 2214 supports objects up to 300 mm diameter and 20 kg in weight. The air-bearing rotation motor allows precise rotation of objects at very high accuracy, and the integrated micro-positioning stage guarantees a perfect sample alignment.
The SKYSCAN 2214 has a large and easily accessible sample chamber to allow scanning of big objects as well as mounting of optional stages. On top plenty of space is available for peripheral equipment.

The Bruker material testing stages are designed to perform compression experiments up to 4400 N and tensile experiments up to 440 N. All stages automatically communicate through the system’s rotation stage, without the need of any cable connections. Using the supplied software, scheduled scanning experiments can be set up.

Bruker’s heating & cooling stages can reach temperatures of up to +80 °C or 30 °C below ambient temperature. Just like the other stages, no extra connections are needed, and there is an automatic recognition of the stage. Using the heating & cooling stages, samples can be examined under non-ambient conditions, to evaluate the effect of temperature on the sample’s microstructure.

The SKYSCAN 2214 is fully compatible with stages from DEBEN. With the included adapter, the DEBEN stage can be simply placed onto the rotation stage of the SKYSCAN 2214.