X-ray Computed Tomography — From synchrotron to desktop applications

X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) is a nondestructive technique to reconstruct and visualize inner features within solid objects as digital informations. The XCT image is usually referred to as a slice because it represents what the scanned object would look like if it were cut along a plane transverse to the axis of rotation. Actually, the best resolution achieved is through X-ray beams by Synchrotron Radiation Laboratories (SRL); however, high-tech and efficient SRLs have limited access due to the high cost of installations and their insufficient number in the world. These are part of the motivations inducing people towards X-ray sources suitable for table-top experiments. By this reason, while SRL-based μ XCT combines sub-micrometer resolution with a high signal-to-noise ratio (contrast), recent advances in desktop μ XCT devices have achieved comparable results with benefits in availability and user-friendliness. In this work, we will show our recent results obtained in XLab Frascati (XlabF INFN-LNF) through our new μ XCT facility, in comparison with several groups involved in both μ XCT desktop R&D and SRL studies. • A brief history of the X-ray Imaging, starting from pioneering works of Röntgen up to last techniques • CTS is a new experimental unit at XlabF for high resolution imaging and μ CT analysis • Equipped with a micro-focus source , CTS can perform in-line phase-contrast imaging