Nanotomography

Nanotomography, much like its related modalities tomography and microtomography, uses x-rays to create cross-sections from a 3D-object that later can be used to recreate a virtual model without destroying the original model. The term nano is used to indicate that the pixel sizes of the cross-sections are in the nanometer range

Although a lot of research is done to create nano-CT scanners, currently (2005) there are probably only two scanners that are commercially available. The SkyScan-2011 has a range of about 150...250 nanometers per pixel with a resolution of 400 nm and a field of view (FOV) of 200 micrometers. The Xradia Nano-XCT 54-80 has a spatial resolution of better than 80 nm and a FOV of 20 micrometers.

At the Ghent University, the UGCT team developed a nano-CT scanner based on commercially available components. The UGCT facility is an open nano-CT facility giving access to scientists from universities, institutes and industry. More information can be found at UGCT-website.