HREE-DIMENSIONAL HIGH RESOLUTION TOMOGRAPHY FOR SMALL OBJECTS

Abstract Three dimensional microtomography system using a conventional X-ray source has been developed. The X-ray source using a rotating target is operated in the fine focus mode. The parallel projection configuration is adopted and transmitted X-rays are converted to visible light by the fluorescent screen before detection by a charge coupled device (CCO) still camera. The data acquisition is controlled mainly by a personal computer and the reconstruction is accomplished by a powerful computer accessible through the local area network (LAN). The performance of the apparatus is examined by observing a carbon-fiber/SiC composite. The spatial resolution of less than IOltmis obtained. The three dimensional image and its capability is demonstrated by showing tomographs at various directions. All the measurements and processing of a matrix of 256 x 192 x 200 data is performed in about three and a half hours.