High-resolution μCT of a mouse embryo using a compact laser-driven X-ray betatron source

High-resolution microcomputed tomography with benchtop X-ray sources requires long scan times because of the heat load limitation on the anode. We present an alternative, high-brightness plasma-based X-ray source that does not suffer from this restriction. A demonstration of tomography of a centimeter-scale complex organism achieves equivalent quality to a commercial scanner. We will soon be able to record such scans in minutes, rather than the hours required by conventional X-ray tubes

High-resolution μCT of a mouse embryo using a compact laser-driven X-ray betatron source

In the field of X-ray microcomputed tomography (µCT) there is a growing need to reduce acquisition times at high spatial resolution (approximate micrometers) to facilitate in vivo and high-throughput operations. The state of the art represented by synchrotron light sources is not practical for certain applications, and therefore the development of high-brightness laboratoryscale sources is crucial. We present here imaging of a fixed embryonic mouse sample using a compact laser–plasma-based X-ray light source and compare the results to images obtained using a commercial X-ray µCT scanner. The radiation is generated by the betatron motion of electrons inside a dilute and transient plasma, which circumvents the flux limitations imposed by the solid or liquid anodes used in conventional electron-impact X-ray tubes. This X-ray source is pulsed (duration 1010 photons per pulse), small (diameter 15 keV. Stable X-ray performance enabled tomographic imaging of equivalent quality to that of the µCT scanner, an important confirmation of the suitability of the laserdriven source for applications. The X-ray flux achievable with this approach scales with the laser repetition rate without compromising the source size, which will allow the recording of high-resolution µCT scans in minutes

High-resolution μCT of a mouse embryo using a compact laser-driven X-ray betatron source

In the field of X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) there is a growing need to reduce acquisition times at high spatial resolution (approximate micrometers) to facilitate in vivo and high-throughput operations. The state of the art represented by synchrotron light sources is not practical for certain applications, and therefore the development of high-brightness laboratory-scale sources is crucial. We present here imaging of a fixed embryonic mouse sample using a compact laser–plasma-based X-ray light source and compare the results to images obtained using a commercial X-ray μCT scanner. The radiation is generated by the betatron motion of electrons inside a dilute and transient plasma, which circumvents the flux limitations imposed by the solid or liquid anodes used in conventional electron-impact X-ray tubes. This X-ray source is pulsed (duration 1010 photons per pulse), small (diameter 15 keV. Stable X-ray performance enabled tomographic imaging of equivalent quality to that of the μCT scanner, an important confirmation of the suitability of the laser-driven source for applications. The X-ray flux achievable with this approach scales with the laser repetition rate without compromising the source size, which will allow the recording of high-resolution μCT scans in minutes

Images and supporting data for high-resolution μCT of a mouse embryo using a compact laser-driven x-ray betatron source

<p>A high resolution x-ray CT scan of an embryonic mouse sample was performed with the betatron x-ray source produced by a laser wakefield accelerator. This data deposition includes all of the raw images of the mouse sample, information regarding their indexing, featured slices of the tomogram and some further raw data regarding the x-ray source characterisation.</p