Research and developments

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RESOLUTION IMPROVEMENTS

SkyScan has invented a new type of X-ray emitters for high-resolution X-ray imaging and tomography in laboratory systems. Without any zone plates or other X-ray optics it allows spatial resolution down to 50nm at any place in a big or thick object. It is based on a new concept which takes into account acquisition geometry and allows a significant flux without compromising spatial resolution in the direction targeted to the X-ray detector.

PHASE CONTRAST TOMOGRAPHY

A phase contrast and darkfield images often give a better contrast for studies of soft tissues biological materials or small animals as a whole compared to X-ray absorption images. SkyScan developed a prototype laboratory system dedicated to biological objects and small animal studies that allows visualization and 3D reconstruction of traditional attenuation information with simultaneous extraction of phase contrast and darkfield images during a single tomographic scan. The system is based on a grating interferometer and uses a phase stepping procedure to separate phase, absorption and darkfield information for following tomographic reconstruction.

IMAGING OF LIVING CELLS

One of SkyScan’s research projects connected to X-ray imaging of the living cells with submicron spatial resolution. Using extremely low X-ray energies in so called "water window" range between absorption edges of oxygen (water) and carbon allows visualizing of cell structure with the information complimentary to that obtained by electron and optical microscopy. The set-up utilizes 450eV X-ray energy emitted by a Ti target. X-rays with such energy can pass through the water, which fills the cells, without significant attenuation, but are efficiently absorbed by proteins and other functionally important carbon-containing parts of the cell

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