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Development of X-ray micro-imaging system at synchrotron radiation facility
Published March 12, 2025
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) supports operating, maintaining, and utilizing the SPring-8 large synchrotron radiation facility. They also support using the SACLA X-ray free electron laser facility and the NanoTerasu 3GeV high-brilliance synchrotron radiation facility. Among them, the Microscopic and Dynamic Imaging Team, Scattering and Imaging Division, is responsible for developing X-ray imaging systems using synchrotron radiation and supporting researchers who would like to acquire X-ray micro-images. The ORCA®-Quest qCMOS® camera is used as the detector for the X-ray micro-imaging system.
We interviewed Dr. Masato Hoshino, Senior Scientist, about the details of the work of the Microscopic and Dynamic Imaging Team, the decisive factor for introducing the ORCA-Quest, and future prospects.
The work of the Microscopic and Dynamic Imaging Team
Could you tell us about the work of the Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging Team?
Our team is mainly engaged in developing imaging systems using X-rays and providing support for researchers who would like to use these systems. We observe a wide range of objects, including biological samples, material-based samples, excavated objects from archaeological sites, and fossils, all of which meet the demand to observe the interior of opaque objects without destroying them. At our facility, we can acquire not only 2D images such as radiographs but also 3D images using X-ray micro-tomograaphy (micro-CT).
The strength of our team is the ability to observe the interior of an object with high resolution. The large beam divergence of general X-ray sources causes the X-rays to spread out before they reach the object, resulting in a low number of photons per unit area. This results in a lower signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), making it difficult to image the fine structures inside an object with a high S/N ratio.
The X-rays generated by SPring-8 are powerful and highly directional, making it possible to irradiate narrow beams with less beam divergence. This allows for a large number of photons per unit area, to enabling high-resolution observation while maintaining a high S/N.
Dr. Masato Hoshino
Challenges in X-ray micro-imaging
What are the challenges of imaging with X-rays?
The important factors for X-ray micro-imaging are “field of view size,” “spatial resolution,” and “imaging speed”. Since our team supports a variety of researchers, we handle a wide range of objects, including large and small objects, objects with very fine internal structures, and objects in motion. We need to optimize the three elements according to the object, and each of these has its challenges in doing so.
When observing a large object, a wide field of view is required, but when observing an object that exceeds the camera's field of view, it is not possible to take an image with a single acquisition. Therefore, multiple images must be taken with different fields of view and then stitched together. The more images that are taken, the longer the acquisition time becomes, and the more time is required for image processing after acquisition.
To observe internal structures at high resolution, it is also important that the detector pixel size be small. However, as the pixel size becomes smaller, the amount of X-ray photons per pixel decreases. As a result, S/N decreases.
The acquisition speed greatly affects the measurement time and the observation of moving objects. For example, in X-ray micro-CT, which is used to acquire 3D images, the object is rotated and images are acquired from various angles. Sometimes thousands of images are acquired, so if the acquisition time per image is long, it will take a very long time to capture all the images. Also, when capturing images of moving objects, a slow detector frame rate can result in missing the moment we want to capture, and a long exposure time can result in blurred images.
Because there are so many objects to deal with, there are many factors that must be taken into consideration and many challenges.
Decisive factor for introducing the ORCA-Quest
Could you tell us about the decisive factor for introducing the ORCA-Quest?
The first point is that the sensor has more pixels than conventional cameras, enabling high-definition imaging. 4096 (H) × 2304 (V) pixels, while maintaining a small pixel size of 4.6 μm × 4.6 μm, allows for high resolution and a wide field of view at the same time.
The second point is the acquisition speed. In general, increasing the frame rate of a camera reduces the number of photons per frame, resulting in a decrease in S/N. However, the ORCA-Quest not only has a high frame rate of 120 frames per second but also has high quantum efficiency and very low readout noise. As a result, it has the advantage of reducing the measurement time in X-ray micro-CT experiments and live imaging of biological specimens. In our recent experiments, we performed high-speed live imaging of the lungs of small animals.
The beamline BL20B2, where ORCA-Quest is installed, uses a bending magnet source. Bending magnet sources emit X-rays over a very wide wavelength (energy) range, so we can extract X-rays of a specific energy by a monochromator and use it. On the other hand, since the beam spreads horizontally rather than vertically, the cross-section of the beam is a horizontal shape. For this reason, a camera with a horizontal sensor shape is more compatible with nX-rays from a bending magnet source, and the sensor shape of the ORCA-Quest was fortuitously suited for this beamline.
X-ray Imaging Systems
Detector: High resolution X-ray imaging system M11427, ORCA-Quest qCMOS camera C15550-20UP
Imaging example
X-ray CT image of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic)
1. Transmission image of Φ8 mm GFRP rod (4096 pixels in horizontal direction, 2.68 μm/pixels)
2. Sectional image of Φ8 mm GFRP rod acquired by high-definition X-ray micro-CT (tomogram at red line in Image 1)
3. Enlarged image of the yellow frame area in Image 2
The dense concentration of glass fibers with a diameter of about 15 μm can be clearly observed.
4. Glass fiber orientation displayed in 3D
The orientation of each fiber can be observed by the high-definition image.
Drishti* is used for 3D display
Camera: ORCA-Quest qCMOS camera C15550-20UP
Optics: High-resolution X-ray imaging system (M11427)
Beam line: SPring-8 BL20B2
Number of projection: 7200 images/180 degrees
Exposure time: 20 msec
Total measurement time: 3 min
Data courtesy of: SPring-8 BL20B2 beamline by Dr. Masato Hoshino, Senior scientist in Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
X-ray phase-tomography image of mouse embryo
Camera: ORCA-Quest qCMOS camera C15550-20UP
Optics: High-resolution X-ray imaging system (M11427)
Beam line: SPring-8 BL20B2
Exposure time: 15 msec
Total measurement time: 6.5 min
Data courtesy of: SPring-8 BL20B2 beamline by Dr. Masato Hoshino, Senior scientist in Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Future prospects
Could you tell us about your prospects for future systems development?
Currently, I am mainly focusing on the development of X-ray micro imaging systems for multiscale measurement. Multiscale measurement means taking images at multiple spatial scales with different pixel sizes and field of views. Some researchers who use our facility want to see as much detail as possible inside large objects, such as excavations from archaeological sites or fossils. The maximum beam available at BL20B2 is about 150 mm (H) × 20 mm (V), which has the potential to observe larger objects. When acquiring X-ray images, we use a method where the X-rays are converted to visible light by a scintillator and then focused onto the sensor using a lens system. However, when balancing the field of view and spatial resolution, we have to prioritize one over the other in a single shot.
In multi scale measurement, we can observe more efficiently by first acquiring the entire object with a camera that has a large field of view, and then zooming in on the areas that require more detailed observation using the ORCA-Quest. When changing the camera, it is necessary to finely adjust the synchronization with peripheral devices such as the rotation stage on which the object is placed, as well as other settings like beam size. Therefore, we will continue to conduct verification to ensure optimal imaging under various conditions.
Of course, while maintaining the current pixel size and sensitivity, it would be ideal to use a camera with more pixels and a larger sensor size, allowing for observation with a larger field of view. Therefore, we look forward to future camera developments from Hamamatsu Photonics.
About Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) supports operating, maintaining, and utilizing the SPring-8 large synchrotron radiation facility. They also support using the SACLA X-ray free electron laser facility and the NanoTerasu 3GeV high-brilliance synchrotron radiation facility.
These facilities are open to a wide range of domestic and international users. They are operated by a large number of highly specialized staff to ensure smooth, high level usage of the world's most advanced synchrotron radiation facilities.
Researcher profile
Masato Hoshino
Microscopic and Dynamic Imaging Team, Scattering and Imaging Division, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) : Senior Scientist
Mar. 2008
Applied Physics, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ph.D. (Doctor of Engineering)
Apr. 2008
Post-doctoral researcher, Research and Utilization Division, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Apr. 2009
Research scientist, Research and Utilization Division, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Apr. 2018
Senior Scientist, Research and Utilization Division, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Apr. 2021
Senior Scientist, Microscopic and Dynamic Imaging Team, Scattering and Imaging Division, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Related product
The ORCA-Quest 2 is a new qCMOS® camera, the successor to the ORCA-Quest with further advances such as faster readout speeds in extremely low-noise scan mode and increased sensitivity in the ultraviolet region.
The high resolution X-ray imaging system is designed for the application of X-ray imaging in synchrotron radiation facilities. Real-time X-ray phenomena can be imaged by combining an imaging unit that uses a phosphor to visualize an incident X-ray beam, and Hamamatsu’s digital camera.
Other case studies
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