Abstract: A method for processing streamed video from an imager that provides raw image data including input image frames. The method including: a) selecting segment data for two segments for each row of the input image frames using parameters for a desired image transformation; b) selecting step data containing information on how far to move in an input image frame before generating an output pixel and the location for the output pixel; c) receiving the input image frames from the imager in a streaming fashion, the image processor buffering rows of one of the input image frames; d) processing each of the buffered rows of one of the input image frames using the segment data and step data to map and modify the input pixels, interpolating to create one of the output image frames having output pixels; and e) repeating steps a)-d) for each row of each input image frame.

Abstract: An x-ray source has a target assembly including a target, an electron source for generating electrons to impact the target, and a flight tube assembly separating the target assembly from the electron source and transporting a coolant to the target assembly. The flight tube assembly includes a flight tube interface ring, a target cartridge tube, and an electrical isolation ring between the flight tube interface ring and the target cartridge tube.

Abstract: The electron beam is typically dynamically steered after its generation on the path to the target. The steering is performed by one or more source coils. These coils produce the magnetic field outside the vacuum vessel allowing air/water/oil cooling to remove undesired heat. The magnetic field is then picked up inside the vacuum vessel with pole pieces and guided towards the region where the magnetic field is needed to steer the electron beam.

Abstract: The electron beam is typically dynamically steered after its generation on the path to the target. The steering is performed by one or more source coils. These coils produce the magnetic field outside the vacuum vessel allowing air/water/oil cooling to remove undesired heat. The magnetic field is then picked up inside the vacuum vessel with pole pieces and guided towards the region where the magnetic field is needed to steer the electron beam.

Abstract: An x-ray source has a target assembly including a target, an electron source for generating electrons to impact the target, and a flight tube assembly separating the target assembly from the electron source and transporting a coolant to the target assembly. The flight tube assembly includes a flight tube interface ring, a target cartridge tube, and an electrical isolation ring between the flight tube interface ring and the target cartridge tube.

Abstract: A spectrum measurement and estimation method for tomographic reconstruction, beam hardening correction, dual-energy CT and system diagnosis, etc., comprises determining the spectra for combinations of source acceleration voltage, pre-filters and/or detectors and after measuring the transmission values of several pre-filters, calculating corrected spectra for the combinations of the source acceleration voltage, pre-filters and/or detectors.

Abstract: A multi energy, such as dual-energy (“DE”), x-ray imaging system data acquisition and image reconstruction system and method enables optimizing the image contrast of a sample. Using the DE x-ray imaging system and its associated user interface applications, an operator performs a low energy (“LE”) and high energy (“HE”) x-ray scan of the same volume of interest of the sample. The system creates a low-energy reconstructed tomographic volume data set from the set of low-energy projections and a high-energy tomographic volume data set from the set of high-energy projections. This enables the operator to control the image contrast of selected slices, and apply the information associated with optimizing the contrast of the selected slice to all slices in the low-energy and high-energy tomographic data sets. This creates a combined volume data set from the LE and HE volume data sets with optimized image contrast throughout.

Abstract: A segmentation-and-spectrum-based metal artifact reduction (MAR) system and method is applied in polychromatic X-ray CT system that uses a priori knowledge of high-Z metals in samples which contribute the primary artifacts at a known x-ray energy spectrum. Using a basis materials decomposition, the method solves the problem of reducing or eliminating metal artifacts associated with beam hardening using only a single scan of the sample performed at selected x-ray energy.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system data acquisition and image reconstruction system and method are disclosed which enable optimizing the image parameters based on multiple tomographic volumes of the sample that have been captured using an x-ray microscopy system. This enables the operator to control the image contrast, for example, of selected slices, and apply the information associated with optimizing the contrast of the selected slice to all slices in two or more tomographic volume data sets. This creates a combined volume with optimized image contrast throughout. Also, the system enables navigation within the volumes through functional annotation, improvements in volume registration and improvements in noise suppression both within the volumes and within slice histograms of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for generating a charged particle beam comprising a magnetic element for controlling the profile of the beam in a predetermined plane. A cathode can be provided for emitting charged particles and an anode for accelerating the charged particles along an axis of travel. The present invention also pertains to a method for generating a particle beam that has a uniform profile in a predetermined plane comprising inducing emission of charged particles from an emitter, accelerating those particles along and toward an axis of beam travel, generating a magnetic field with a component aligned with the axis of beam travel but different in the predetermined plane than at the emitter, and modifying the beam profile.

Abstract: A spectrum measurement and estimation method for tomographic reconstruction, beam hardening correction, dual-energy CT and system diagnosis, etc., comprises determining the spectra for combinations of source acceleration voltage, pre-filters and/or detectors and after measuring the transmission values of several pre-filters, calculating corrected spectra for the combinations of the source acceleration voltage, pre-filters and/or detectors.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system data acquisition and image reconstruction system and method are disclosed which enable optimizing the image parameters based on multiple tomographic volumes of the sample that have been captured using an x-ray microscopy system. This enables the operator to control the image contrast, for example, of selected slices, and apply the information associated with optimizing the contrast of the selected slice to all slices in two or more tomographic volume data sets. This creates a combined volume with optimized image contrast throughout. Also, the system enables navigation within the volumes through functional annotation, improvements in volume registration and improvements in noise suppression both within the volumes and within slice histograms of the sample.

Abstract: A segmentation-and-spectrum-based metal artifact reduction (MAR) system and method is applied in polychromatic X-ray CT system that uses a priori knowledge of high-Z metals in samples which contribute the primary artifacts at a known x-ray energy spectrum. Using a basis materials decomposition, the method solves the problem of reducing or eliminating metal artifacts associated with beam hardening using only a single scan of the sample performed at selected x-ray energy.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for generating a charged particle beam comprising a magnetic element for controlling the profile of the beam in a predetermined plane. A cathode can be provided for emitting charged particles and an anode for accelerating the charged particles along an axis of travel. The present invention also pertains to a method for generating a particle beam that has a uniform profile in a predetermined plane comprising inducing emission of charged particles from an emitter, accelerating those particles along and toward an axis of beam travel, generating a magnetic field with a component aligned with the axis of beam travel but different in the predetermined plane than at the emitter, and modifying the beam profile.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for generating a charged particle beam comprising a magnetic element for controlling the profile of the beam in a predetermined plane. A cathode can be provided for emitting charged particles and an anode for accelerating the charged particles along an axis of travel. The present invention also pertains to a method for generating a particle beam that has a uniform profile in a predetermined plane comprising inducing emission of charged particles from an emitter, accelerating those particles along and toward an axis of beam travel, generating a magnetic field with a component aligned with the axis of beam travel but different in the predetermined plane than at the emitter, and modifying the beam profile.

Abstract: A multi energy, such as dual-energy (“DE”), x-ray imaging system data acquisition and image reconstruction system and method enables optimizing the image contrast of a sample. Using the DE x-ray imaging system and its associated user interface applications, an operator performs a low energy (“LE”) and high energy (“HE”) x-ray scan of the same volume of interest of the sample. The system creates a low-energy reconstructed tomographic volume data set from the set of low-energy projections and a high-energy tomographic volume data set from the set of high-energy projections. This enables the operator to control the image contrast of selected slices, and apply the information associated with optimizing the contrast of the selected slice to all slices in the low-energy and high-energy tomographic data sets. This creates a combined volume data set from the LE and HE volume data sets with optimized image contrast throughout.

Abstract: A multi energy, such as dual-energy (“DE”), x-ray imaging system data acquisition and image reconstruction system and method enables optimizing the image contrast of a sample. Using the DE x-ray imaging system and its associated user interface applications, an operator performs a low energy (“LE”) and high energy (“HE”) x-ray scan of the same volume of interest of the sample. The system creates a low-energy reconstructed tomographic volume data set from the set of low-energy projections and a high-energy tomographic volume data set from the set of high-energy projections. This enables the operator to control the image contrast of selected slices, and apply the information associated with optimizing the contrast of the selected slice to all slices in the low-energy and high-energy tomographic data sets. This creates a combined volume data set from the LE and HE volume data sets with optimized image contrast throughout.

Abstract: A process to determine the porosity and/or mineral content of mineral samples with an x-ray CT system is described. Based on the direct-projection techniques that use a spatially-resolved x-ray detector to record the x-ray radiation passing through the sample, 1 micrometer or better resolution is achievable. Furthermore, by using an x-ray objective lens to magnify the x-ray image in a microscope configuration, a higher resolution of up to 50 nanometers or more is achieved with state-of-the-art technology. These x-ray CT techniques directly obtain the 3D structure of the sample with no modifications to the sample being necessary. Furthermore, fluid or gas flow experiments can often be conducted during data acquisition so that one may perform live monitoring of the physical process in 3D.

Abstract: A metrology system that uses an imaging system to monitor alignment features on the sample or sample holder of an X-ray laminography or tomography system. the metrology system has the capability to provide both sample shift and sample rotation movement data to a data acquisition system. These shift and rotation data can be used in alignment routines to produce 3D reconstructions from the X-ray images/projections. The metrology system is based on an imaging and focusing measurement of intrinsic feature of the sample or artificial features fabricated on the sample or sample holder.

Abstract: NMR imaging is effected by application of two normal diagonal planes to develop line volumes at major intersections which are converted into a slice image. Rapid line scan imaging is achieved by successive diagonal excitation of previously unexcited regions. Spoiler magnetic gradient fields and applied periodically to dephase and in turn eliminate minor or spurious echoes from other intersections of the two normal diagonal planes.