Measurement of the focal spot size of X-ray tubes with spot sizes down to 100 nm

Short Name: NanoXSpot, Project Number: 18NRM07
Image of a Micro tomography setup
Micro tomography setup

Enabling component inspection to the nanometre scale


New X-ray systems, using metrological computed tomography, can visually inspect manufactured component dimensions and integrity down to the nanometre-scale. Measurement performance depends on focal spot size, shape, and stability, but no standard method exists for spot sizes below 5 micrometres. As a result, equipment manufacturers apply different methods, and provide different results. A need for traceable measurement methods for determining focal spot characteristics of nanometre-resolution X-ray tubes was identified as a research priority by the CEN technical committee for non-destructive testing.

 

To enable resolution down to 50 nanometres, the project has developed new standard practices for characterising X-ray focal spots to higher levels of accuracy. The project developed procedures intended as part of CEN standard EN 12543, which may lead to amendments to standards applying to welding, casting, electronics, aerospace, and dimensional metrology.

The project will enable NMIs to provide traceable determinations of focal spot size and shape, to benefit industry through reduced failure rates, increased component lifetimes, and improved competitiveness of European manufacturing.

 

Project website
Other Participants
Carl Zeiss X-Ray Microscopy, Inc. (United States)
Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (France)
Excillum AB (Sweden)
KOWOTEST Gesellschaft für Prüfausrüstung mbH (Germany)
X-RAY WorX GmbH (Germany)
YXLON International GmbH (Germany)