Micro-Computed Tomography beamline (MCT)

Micro-Computed Tomography beamline (MCT)

Beamline Capabilities

The Micro-Computed Tomography (MCT) beamline at the Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO) provides advanced three-dimensional X-ray imaging with micron-scale resolution, reaching up to 1 µm. As the first of the eight new BRIGHT beamlines, it has been in successful user operation since October 2022. The beamline uses monochromatic (8–40 keV), pink, and white X-ray beams to deliver detailed structural information across a wide variety of samples.

Its primary techniques are absorption-contrast and propagation-based phase-contrast imaging, complemented by advanced methods such as dark-field, grating-based, and speckle-based imaging for specialised applications. Additional capabilities include tomosynthesis, helical scanning, and rapid two-dimensional imaging of dynamic processes. Future developments will bring a robotic stage for automated high-throughput sample exchange, laminography, a nano-CT configuration based on Fresnel zone plates, and environmental stages for high temperature and mechanical loading—developed in collaboration with user groups.

Data collection, reconstruction, segmentation, and visualization are supported by innovative software tools, specialised phase-retrieval algorithms, and high-performance computing infrastructure, ensuring efficient workflows from acquisition through to analysis.

For more information of the MCT beamline, see the link below:

https://asuserwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/UO/pages/1516601345/MCT+Beamline

Scientific Applications

The MCT beamline enables non-destructive 3D characterisation across diverse fields, including biomedical and health sciences, food science, geosciences, materials science, and palaeontology. It was designed to meet the needs of both academic and industry users seeking detailed structural insights into materials.

Key applications include:

  • Investigating failure mechanisms in 3D-printed components and alloy systems.

  • Quantifying micro-porosity (e.g., pore size, shape, connectivity, and tortuosity) in rocks and shales for petroleum research.

  • Understanding structural properties of coal and coke.

  • In situ studies of bone response under load and tensile testing.

  • Characterising phase transitions in materials under varying temperature or pressure.

  • Enhancing contrast in soft- and hard-tissue studies using low-energy X-rays.

  • Pyrolysis studies of biomass systems.

  • High-resolution analysis of fibres and yarns.

  • Non-destructive imaging of small fossils, including specimens in amber.

Wasp 6 mm in length
Demonstration of X-ray micro-computed tomography of a wasp sample (approximately 6 mm in length), courtesy of MCT user Fiorella Esquivel (UNSW Canberra). Details: White beam with an average energy of 35.7 keV, using in-vacuo filtration (0.2 mm diamond, 5 mm Al). Imaging was performed with an Optique Peter white detector and a 4.5× objective. The sample was mounted on the general-purpose air-bearing CT stage on table B1, located ~21.5 m from the source. Data acquisition included 100 flat fields and 100 dark currents, with 1800 projections collected over 180° in 0.1° steps using “fly-scan” mode and an exposure time of 20 ms per frame. Three vertical scans were stitched together, producing ~62 GB of raw data and ~149 GB of reconstructed data, stored in HDF5 format. 
meteor
Meteorite sample (Dhofar 461) – courtesy of Dr Helen Brand. The sample was imaged using a white X-ray beam with in-vacuo filtration (0.2 mm diamond, 5 mm Al), a 4.5× objective lens, 30 ms exposure time, and 1800 projection images at a sample-to-detector distance of 160 mm. Tomographic reconstruction was performed using the MCT reconstruction pipeline, and data visualisation was carried out with ORS Dragonfly software. 

For more detail of the MCT potential application, see the link below:

https://asuserwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/UO/pages/1606123605/Potential+Applications

Technical Information and Specifications

The MCT beamline comprises three hutches centred at approximately 15, 24 and 31 m from the bending-magnet source point. The first hutch (the first optical enclosure) houses the photon-delivery system, including mask, slits, collimator, DMM, VBM, diagnostics and shutters. The X-ray beam travels in vacuum until it passes through the Be window at the entrance to the second hutch, approximately 20 m from the source.  The second and third hutches constitute the end stations for conducting user experiments.  When the experiments are in the second hutch, a beam stop at the downstream end provides for safe and open access to the third hutch.  When the experiments are in the third hutch, the second hutch is searched and secured.

Each of the experimental end stations house two large, stable optical tables to support experimental equipment.  These tables can be adjusted in height and (for the first end station) tilt, so that a fixed offset is maintained between the table surface and the X-ray beam for any configuration of the DMM and VBM in the photon-delivery system.

The first experimental hutch houses the sample-exchange robot that is fixed on the first experimental table, and will operate with the primary CT sample stage.  Standard, absorption-contrast and propagation-based phase-contrast X-ray imaging and tomography will be routinely performed on this table; however it will also be possible to use the second experimental hutch in cases where a larger field-of-view is required.

hutchB
The first optical table set-up in the first experimental end station.
sa_stage
The general-purpose CT stage, which can be moved as required.
sa_mounting
Several example for sample mounting.

For more detail of the MCT technical specification, see the link below:

https://asuserwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/UO/pages/1603534855/Technical+Specifications

Technical Specifications

View MCT Technical Specifications
SourceAustralian Synchrotron bending magnet (1.3 T); critical energy 7.95 keV
Hutches9-BM1-A (~15 m); 9-BM1-B (~24 m); 9-BM1-C (~31 m)
Energy range8 – 40 keV (also filtered-white & pink beams available)
Integrated flux~ 5 x 1016  photons/sec unfiltered after mask* (~ 50 W)
PDS filters5 paddles, each with 4 filters - incl. C (graphite), C(diamond), Al, Cu, Zr, Rh & Sn
Monochromator (DMM)3 multilayer stripes: Ru/C & W/B4C with ∆E/E ~ 3% for 8 – 23 keV & 21 – 40 keV; V/B4C with ∆E/E ~ 0.5% for 8 – 25 keV
Mirror (VBM)Single-bounce vertical, bendable (concave & convex); Rh & Pt stripes
Optical tables3 m x 1 m (2) & 2 m x 1 m (2); ~300 mm vertical & 15 mrad tilt adjust.; 100 µm & 0.1 mrad resolution
PDS slits3 sets, low-scatter, white-beam; range 50 mm (H) x 80 mm (V)
Beam size

Max. *2.0 mrad (H) x 0.3 mrad (V) for filtered-white & pink beams - 44 mm (H) x 6.6 mm (V) for sample positioned at 22 m, 64 mm (H) x 9.6 mm (V) at 32 m;

max. 1.6 mrad (H) x 0.3 mrad (V) for monochromatic beam

Sample handling & environmentsRobotic stage for automated sample exchange; environments yet to be finalised - likely to start with high-temperature & load cell
DetectorsCMOS- & CCD-based with scintillators & specialised magnifying optics

Beamline Status

View MCT Beamline Status
1st July 2017Project started
September 2017Capital Investment Case endorsed & approved by ANSTO
20th October 2017First Beamline Advisory Panel (BAP) meeting convened
June 2018Conceptual Design Report endorsed
27th March 2019Contract for DMM awarded to Axilon
21st May 2019Contract for PDS (excl. DMM) awarded to Axilon
June 2019Technical Design Report completed
25th June 2019Contract for hutches awarded to Caratelli
November 2019Lead Scientist & Lead Engineer visit TOMCAT beamline (SLS) & Axilon
12th December 2019Approval of Final Design Review report for PDS (incl. DMM)
January 20202nd Beamline Scientist joins MCT Team

* Plus delay to be determined following resolution of covid-19 related restrictions

23 November 2021MCT first light 
14 July 2022First phase contrast images 
4 August 2022First computed tomography scanning
13 September 2022Day 1
6 October 2022First User
10 February 2023ARPANSA approval
12 September 2023Day 365

Beamline layout

bl_layout
The Micro-Computed Tomography beamline layout.
Find out more on the Australian Synchrotron User WikiView the Wiki

Staff

Micro-Computed Tomography Beamline Advisory Panel

  • Dr Sherry Mayo (Chair) - CSIRO
  • Dr Kaye Morgan - Monash Univ.
  • Dr Andrew Rider - DST Group
  • Dr Ian Schipper - Vic. Univ. Wellington, New Zealand
  • Prof Adrian Sheppard - Australian National Univ.
  • Prof. Marco Stampanoni - TOMCAT, SLS, Switzerland

Contact

as-mct@ansto.gov.au