The iXmini is a portable miniature X-ray source for detector calibration. It comprises an X-ray tube with an Fe or Cu anode.The iXmini can be used for performing reliable flat field calibrations, maki
Company Brief
Incoatec was founded in 2002 by scientists as a spin-off of the GKSS Research Center in Geesthacht near Hamburg (today Helmholtz Center hereon GmbH) together with Bruker AXS in Karlsruhe, one of the leading manufacturers of X-ray Analytic Systems worldwide. Incoatec develops, produces and supplies components for X-ray analytical systems. These components include optics, mirrors, and microfocus sources for applications in x-ray diffraction, x-ray scattering, and x-ray spectrometry. Incoatec offer solutions for chemistry, pharmacy, semiconductor industry, heavy industry, life science and nanotechnology, enabling our customers to make better use of their resources and improve their results. Using extensive know-how in thin film technology together with in-house mechanical and electronic workshops, Incoatec are able to provide reliable, efficient and environment-friendly products: Made in Germany.
Introduction
The iXmini is a portable miniature X-ray source for detector calibration. It comprises an X-ray tube with an Fe or Cu anode.
The iXmini can be used for performing reliable flat field calibrations, making fluorescent metal foils and calibrants based on radioactive isotopes obsolete in your lab. With the iXmini, this calibration can now be done autonomously, even when there is no other X-ray source available, e.g. during downtime periods at synchrotrons. It’s also a simple and easy-to-use source for the regular checks of your radiation detection systems.
Features and Benefits
· Non-radioactive calibrant
· No special storage or handling permit needed as required for radioactive sources
· Simple and safe operation
· Operation in low level vacuum possible (down to 10-2 - 10-3 mbar)
· Small footprint with a size of 103 x 120 x 89.5 mm3
· Integrated HV generator and safety controller
· Two independent safety lines for integration in an interlock system
· Maximum power of 100 mW with operating parameters 4-10 kV and 2-10 µA
· Four pre-defined operation modes selectable through a control knob
Specification
The portable source iXmini contains a miniature X-ray tube with Fe (Kα = 6.4 keV) or Cu anode (Kα = 8.04 keV). The iXmini requires an external 24 V DC power supply which should be fused with 1 A. It does not need any special cooling.
Dimension: 103 x 120 x 89.5 mm
Weight: ca 1500 g
Supply voltage: DC 24.0 V +/-1V
Metal ceramic miniature X-ray tube with transmission anode
Target material: Iron (Fe) or Cupper (Cu) 150 nm on Beryllium window
Manual shutter
Typical operational voltage: 4.0 – 10.0 kV (anode to cathode)
Maximum power: 100 mW
Applications
Flat Field Calibration of a CMOS Detector
The iXmini was used for applying flat field calibration of a CMOS detector.
The iXmini was operated at 10 kV and 10 μA, using a Cu anode. For the flat field correction, an image with an exposure time of 1000 s was acquired. The homogeneity in the intensity distribution is improved significantly after applying the flat field correction, as shown in the corresponding histograms.
Comparison of two 1000 s images, one without flat field correction (top) and one with flat field correction applied (bottom), together with the corresponding intensity variation over the whole image. As can be seen from the histograms, the homogeneity in the intensity distribution is improved significantly by applying the flat field correction. |
Improvement of the intensity homogeneity in dependence of the exposure time of the actual flat field image used for the correction. Reasonable statistics for the flat field correc-tion are already obtained after about 10 min. |
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Specification
Dimension | 103 x 120 x 89.5 mm |
Weight | ca 1500 g |
Supply voltage | DC 24.0 V +/-1V |
X-ray tube | Metal ceramic miniature transmission anode |
Target material | Iron (Fe) or Cupper (Cu) 150 nm on Beryllium window |
Typical operational voltage | 4.0 – 10.0 kV (anode to cathode) |
Maximum power | 100 mW |
System integration
The iXmini is an open X-ray emitter, which immediately generates radiation, as soon as 24 V DC are switched on, and both interlock lines are closed.
Requirements
The iXmini requires an external 24 V DC power supply which should be fused with 1 A. It does not require any additional cooling.Power setting
The iXmini offers four pre-defined operating modes with different power settings, which can be selected by a control knob at the top of the iXmini. The intensity of the X-rays emitted will depend on the selected operation values.
X-ray shutter
The shutter of the iXmini is manually opened before the power supply is turned on and the interlock is closed and manually closed after the power supply is turned off.
Warning lights
The iXmini has two warning lights, displaying the status “X-RAY ON” and “BEAM ON”. During ramp-up, these lights will flash. When reaching full operation power, both lights will shine continuously.
Flat Field Calibration of a CMOS Detector
The iXmini was used for applying flat field calibration of a CMOS detector. The iXmini was operated at 10 kV and 10 µA, using a Cu anode. For the flat field correction, an image with an exposure time of 1000 s was acquired.
Comparison of two 1000 s images, one without flat field correction (top) and one with flat field correction applied (bottom), together with the corresponding intensity variation over the whole image. As can be seen from the histograms, the homogeneity in the intensity distribution is improved significantly by applying the flat field correction.
Further, a set of flat field images was recorded with different exposure times in order to identify the minimum exposure time required for a good correction. The evaluation of this experiment shows that a reasonably good correction can already be achieved with a 600 s exposure time.
Improvement of the intensity homogeneity in dependence of the exposure time of the actual flat field image used for the correction. Reasonable statistics for the flat field correction are already obtained after about 10 min.
