Pin-hole X-ray camera

Dr. F. P. Romano and his colleagues have reported full-field X-ray fluorescence imaging based on the principle of the pin-hole camera. The instrument consists of a low power X-ray source (W anode, 50kV-2mA), a pinhole (50 micron dia) and a CCD camera (back illuminated type, 1024 × 1024 pixels, pixel size 13 micron square). To obtain good energy resolution (133 eV at 5.9 keV), the research team took a number of images in single photon counting mode. The team also obtained a reasonable spatial resolution down to 30 microns. The system can change the magnification ratio from 0.35 to 6, depending on the viewing area of interest and the required spatial resolution. For more information, see the paper, "Macro and Micro Full Field X-Ray Fluorescence with an X-Ray Pinhole Camera Presenting High Energy and High Spatial Resolution", F. P. Romano et al, Anal. Chem., 86, 10892 (2014).