Colorado State University (CSU) researchers are behind the biggest breakthrough in 3D X-ray imaging technology in a generation. They announced a new approach that has the potential to change fields such as aerospace and additive manufacturing. Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Assistant Professor Reed Hollinger is leading the team from CSU. They’ve pretty routinely used a petawatt class laser to generate ultrabright X-ray sources. This transformative research, published in Optica, represents a major step forward in radiographic imaging capabilities.
The CSU research team harnessed the capabilities of the ALEPH laser, a powerful tool built at the university, to achieve this technological leap. They then focused the laser down to an intensity of 10²¹ Wcm⁻². This incredibly potent laser focused an electron beam to several million volts of acceleration in only a few microns of distance. These x-ray pulses are only a few trillionths of a second long. They enable us to take time-resolved photographs of things traveling at amazing velocities.
Revolutionary Imaging Technology
The new imaging technique provides high-resolution X-ray radiography and CT scans with a level of detail not before possible. That novel approach is giving the research team remarkable precision and accuracy to capture images of very dense, compact objects, such as stars. This advancement is part of a broader vision to leverage high-intensity laser sources for diverse applications, opening new possibilities in several fields.
This newly developed ability to produce such rapid X-ray pulses is key to studying fast-moving objects clearly and in great detail. This advanced imaging ability is particularly valuable in industries where an ability to peer inside complex internal structures of materials is critical. The aerospace industry, for example, stands to gain immensely from this technology in the manufacturing process and quality assurance stages of aircraft parts.
Potential Industry Impact
Increasing materials quality control In the context of additive manufacturing, real-time, accurate, and detailed inspections help mitigate against issues when iterating on in-process builds. This leads to greater product reliability. The added benefit of employing such technology is it can make workflows more efficient and cost-effective by requiring less disruptive, destructive testing protocols.
Reed Hollinger, the lead author of the study, said getting it right could lead to breakthroughs using this new technique. "Our new radiographic imaging capability not only enhances our understanding of complex systems but provides significant advantages for various industrial applications," Hollinger stated. The technology innovation and thoughtful collaboration behind this research team’s efforts is a model for how to tackle complicated engineering challenges head-on.
Future Prospects and Applications
CSU is also committed to the responsible translation of scientific research. This study is part of a much larger effort funded by the Department of Energy to explore promising new scientific frontiers made possible by using high-intensity laser sources. The researchers hope to broaden this technology’s use cases into other fields, setting the stage for additional imaging and diagnostic breakthroughs.
Publication of these findings in Optica, a premier optics journal, is a recognition of just how important this achievement has become to the scientific community. In offering their lessons learned and approaches, the CSU team is providing a valuable resource to help others around the globe improve their imaging technologies and processes.