A SIMPLE TRANSMISSION-X-RAY MICROTOMOGRAPHY INSTRUMENT

The construction and performance of a simple (translate-rotate) transmission X-ray microtomography instrument is discussed. The system is configured around a conventional X-ray powder diffractometer and utilises 8.028 and 17.445 keV K(alpha) X-rays. A microcomputer controls the specimen motion and data acquisition. Images are reconstructed using centroid correction and filtered backprojection summation. With a modest arrangement of collimators, the instrument is capable of producing images with a spatial resolution of 10 mum and a contrast (density) resolution of better than 5%. It is well suited for the examination of the microstructural features of low mass density materials, such as wood and polymers.