A system and an apparatus are provided to measure magnetic characteristic of crystal grains composing magnetic polycrystalline materials in the magnetic field or nonmagnetic field by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). In particular, the system and the apparatus measure the magnetic characteristic of comparatively very thick materials.

A multimodality imaging system and method for mineralogy segmentation is disclosed. Image datasets of the sample are generated for one or more modalities, including x-ray and focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) modalities. Mineral maps are then created using Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) from at least part of the sample covered by the image datasets. The EDX mineral maps are applied as a mask to the image datasets to identify and label regions of minerals within the sample. Feature vectors are then extracted from the labeled regions via feature generators such as Gabor filters. Finally, machine learning training and classification algorithms such as Random Forest are applied to the extracted feature vectors to construct a segmented image representation of the sample that classifies the minerals within the sample.

Ultralow-dose, x-ray or gamma-ray imaging is based on fast, electronic control of the output of a laser-Compton x-ray or gamma-ray source (LCXS or LCGS). X-ray or gamma-ray shadowgraphs are constructed one (or a few) pixel(s) at a time by monitoring the LCXS or LCGS beam energy required at each pixel of the object to achieve a threshold level of detectability at the detector. An example provides that once the threshold for detection is reached, an electronic or optical signal is sent to the LCXS/LCGS that enables a fast optical switch that diverts, either in space or time the laser pulses used to create Compton photons. In this way, one prevents the object from being exposed to any further Compton x-rays or gamma-rays until either the laser-Compton beam or the object are moved so that a new pixel location may be illumination.

A geological sample is provided to analysis equipment including a first X-ray emitter and a digital X-ray detector. The actions of activating the first X-ray emitter, located in a first position; activating a second X-ray emitter, located in a different position to the first X-ray emitter, or moving the first X-ray emitter to a different position and activating it; repeating the imaging step as required to analyse the core, each time using a different X-ray emitter, or the first X-ray emitter located in a different position; wherein the location of the digital detector, relative to the sample, remains stationary during the imaging steps; processing the digital signals provided by the digital detector to create digital X-ray images; processing the digital signals to determine compounds within, and porosity of, the sample by means of relative absorption at different X-ray energy levels; and processing the digital X-ray images are performed.

One or more example embodiments relates to a method for estimating material thicknesses in radiological projection images, comprising the steps: providing a plurality of N projection images at different recording energies in each case, performing a first decomposition of the N projection images into N thickness maps, which in each case represent the thickness of N regions each with different materials, performing a second decomposition of a number of main thickness maps based on the N thickness maps and/or on corresponding measurements and a number of the N projection images into N result thickness maps, which in each case represent the thickness of the N regions each with different materials.

One or more example embodiments further comprises an apparatus and an imaging device.

In some embodiments, a scientific instrument includes an electron-beam column configured to scan an electron beam across a sample. The electron-beam column includes a beam blanker configured to gate the electron beam in response to a drive signal. The scientific instrument also includes an electron detector configured to measure a flux of transmitted or scattered electrons having interacted with the sample and an electronic controller configured to acquire an image of the sample using values of the flux measured with the electron detector for a plurality of electron-beam scan locations. The electronic controller is further configured to cause the drive signal to have a gating frequency at which the image has a moir pattern therein.

According to some aspects, a method is provided comprising generating first monochromatic x-ray radiation at a first energy, directing at least some of the first monochromatic x-ray radiation to irradiate subject matter of interest, detecting at least some of the first monochromatic x-ray radiation transmitted through the subject matter of interest, and determining information about a chemical composition of the subject matter of interest based, at least in part, on the detected first monochromatic x-ray radiation and the first energy.

The invention relates to a device (100) and a corresponding method for thermoacoustic sensing, in particular thermoacoustic imaging, the device (100) comprising: a) an irradiation unit (10) configured to generate electromagnetic and/or particle energy exhibiting a first modulation, the first modulation comprising at least one frequency and to continuously emit the energy towards a target (1), whereby acoustic waves are continuously generated in the target, the acoustic waves exhibiting a second modulation, the second modulation comprising the at least one frequency and/or a harmonic frequency of the at least one frequency; b) a detection unit (20) configured to simultaneously detect the acoustic waves exhibiting the second modulation while the energy exhibiting the first modulation is being continuously emitted towards the target (1); and c) a processing unit (30) configured to determine at least one thermoacoustic value of an amplitude and/or a phase of the second modulation of the acoustic waves at the at least one frequency and/or at a harmonic frequency of the at least one frequency. The invention allows for fast and economic thermoacoustic sensing, in particular imaging of a region of interest of an object.

A method and system for determining concentricity of a multiple layer golf ball are disclosed herein. One or more images of a golf ball are generated using an X-ray source, a camera or a digital detector, and an image intensifier. An edge detection algorithm is preferably utilized. The method also includes calculating Y,Z center coordinates of the a best fit diameter or ellipse of the inner edge layer and outer edge layer of the multiple layer golf ball.

The invention relates to a method for mapping the crystal orientations of a polycrystalline material, the method comprising: receiving (21) a series of images of the polycrystalline material, which images are acquired by an acquiring device in respective irradiation geometries; estimating (22) at least one intensity profile for at least one point of the material from the series of images, each intensity profile representing the intensity associated with the point in question as a function of irradiation geometry; and determining (24) a crystal orientation for each point in question of the material by comparing (23) the intensity profile associated with said point in question to theoretical signatures of intensity profiles of known crystal orientations, which signatures are contained in a database.