Photonic Science High Resolution Digital X-ray CCD Camera

The XDI is a high resolution, medium/high speed digital X-ray camera incorporating a 1392x1040 pixel interline CCD.

The camera offers a fast 20MHz readout rate (with 10-bit image digitization) for higher frame rate applications. Alternatively with a simple change of the software driver settings the X-Ray XDI can integrate an image on its cooled CCD for up to several minutes giving 12-bit image digitization (@ 10MHz readout rate).
When high-performance digital imaging and operational flexibility are required, the X-Ray XDI provides an ideal solution for all small to medium area input applications.

Features of the XDI X-ray Cameras

Scintillator: Polycrystalline layer of gadolinium oxysulphide with full range energy response from 5 keV to > 100 keV and 15 mg/cm2 density for optimized response at 5-25 kev X-ray energy. Scintillator applied directly to input face of (micro) fiber-optic coupler for maximum light transfer efficiency
High sensitivity interline transfer scientific grade CCD with 1392 x 1040 pixels (6.45µm x 6.45 µm pixels, 8 e- rms readout noise, 22k e- full well capacity)
Dynamic range >10bit (RMS noise in darkness, <1 @10-bit / 20MHz digitization, <4 @ 12-bit / 10 MHz digitization)
Direct coupling of coherent micro-fiber optic input to CCD sensor for maximum light transfer efficiency
Integral electronic shutter - a separate external X-ray beam shutter is NOT required.
Highly flexible mode of operation with user (software) selectable controls for: Selectable readout rates of 10MHz @ 12-bit resolution and 20 MHz @ 10-bit resolution.
Binning (independently in X & Y) from 1x1 to 63x63
Sub-area readout (selectable in both X & Y)
Selectable CCD gain from X1 to X6 in 100 steps
Multi-stage thermoelectric CCD cooling plus air secondary cooling, with a typical stabilized DeltaT of >40°C, reduces dark current for longer on-chip integration
Includes camera head with thin Aluminum light exclusion membrane to allow device to be operated in ambient lighting; Control unit including power supply, Interconnecting cables, user manual and flight case.

A directly bonded coherent micro fiber-optic coupler transfers the light from an optimized scintillator input to the CCD sensor with maximum efficiency. Careful design throughout the X-Ray XDI camera ensures both maximum contrast and excellent dynamic sensitivity are available to the user.

With >1.3 million active pixels the X-Ray XDI gives excellent resolution, producing images with superb detail, whilst the thermoelectrically cooled sensor allows integration over long periods to produce crisp, clear images from very low X-ray flux intensities. The X-Ray XDI includes a fast electronic shutter so external shuttering of the X-ray beam is NOT required during image readout.

With a fast 20 MHz read-out mode, flexible on-chip binning (from 1x1 to 63x63 binning) and user definable sub-area readout, the X-Ray XDI is able to produce high frame rate images. This makes "real-time" X-ray digital imaging both possible and practical as a powerful experimental technique.

Minimum exposure times of <5 microseconds enable the X-Ray XDI to handle both high flux rates without saturation and to freeze fast moving events. For those users who need to image fast moving events at weaker X-ray fluxes, or who need to freeze very rapid events, an intensified version of the X-Ray XDI, with gating down to 100 nsecs is available. See X-ray Gemstar

FRAME RATES
Binning Mode		Image size in pixels		Max frames per sec.
Square (X x Y)	Rectangular (X x Y)	Square binning	Rectangular binning	@ 20MHz	@ 10MHz
1 x 1	1 x 1	1392 x 1040	1392 x 1040	10	5
2 x 2	1 x 2	650 x 515	1392 x 515	18	9
4 x 4	1 x 4	325 x 257	1392 x 257	34	17
8 x 8	1 x 8	162 x 128	1392 x 128	62	31
32 x 32	1 x 32	40 x 32	1392 x 32	110	55

SPECIFICATIONS
Input sizes:	From 2.99 x 2.24 mm to 40.40 mm x 30.19 mm with micro-fiber coherent fiber optic coupling (Other sizes available)
Optical pixel size:	From 2.15 to 30.1 microns depending on input size.
CCD Sensor:	1392x1040 active pixels: 6.45 microns square
CCD Saturation:	Typically 22,000 electrons / pixel (X1 gain, no binning)
CCD Architecture:	Progressive scan with interline transfer
CCD Bonding:	Proprietary direct micro-fiber optic coupling method (no fiber optic 'window')
Scintillator:	Gadolinium oxysulphide; high efficiency, high resolution layer, optimized to application
Energy range:	5 keV to >100 keV
Light protection:	X-ray transparent opaque membrane
Digital output:	10-bit @ 20 MHz or 12-bit @ 10Mhz, RS422 parallel differential
Dynamic range:	>10-bit (>2,048:1)
Binning:	From 1 x1 to 63 x 63 (independent in X & Y)
Sub-area readout:	Independent in X & Y
CCD gain:	From X1 to X6 in 100 steps
Max. Frame Rate:	10 frames per second @ 1392x1040 (>100 f.p.s. with binning or sub-area readout
Cooling option:	Thermoelectric with air secondary cooling to DeltaT >40° C
Exposures:	From 5 ms to several minutes.
Power:	Tabletop unit requiring 80-250 Vac (50/60 Hz) input
Dimensions:	Head: 74mm (dia.) x 230mm (l) (11.1mm 1:1 input version — larger input sizes will increase size)
Dimensions:	Power supply: 290mm x 215mm x 65mm
Interface:	'PSLink' versatile interface
Software:	'PhotoLite' from Photonic Science Ltd., or 'Image Pro Plus' from Media Cybernetics (optional)

Sample Images

A GSM telephone connector showing internal pin integrity	Detail from an image showing the output from a micro-capillary x-ray beam collimator (during beam adjustment)

Visit our X-Ray Micro-CT page

Select Camera Version	4 mm	11 mm	35 mm	50 mm
Input diagonal (mm)	3.74	11.21	34.98	50.45
Active area (h x v) (mm)	2.99 x 2.24	8.98 x 6.71	28.01 20.93	40.40 x 30.19
Pixel resolution at input (µm)	2.15	6.45	20.3	30.1
Input taper ration	1:3	1:1	3.12:1	4.5:1

X-RAY XDI IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM
High performance PCI bus frame grabber with (16-bit) digital input module
PhotoLite image acquisition, enhancement and database software for Windows 98 / ME / NT / Windows 2000 Professional. Single user license with software drivers for XDI and frame grabber giving user selectable software control of: Video Gain in 100 (arbitrary) steps over approx. 6:1 range Sub-area readout to be acquired On-CCD integration / exposure time from 5 ms up to several minutes On-chip binning from 1 x 1 to 63 x 63 Readout mode: either 10-bit @ 20Mhz or 12-bit @ 10Mhz

Visit our X-Ray Micro-CT page

Micro Photonics Inc.
PO Box 3129
Allentown, PA 18106-0129
Tel: (610) 366-7103 Fax: (610) 366-7105 E-Mail
info@microphotonics.com