Polish scientists develop superfast X-ray camera

Researchers from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow have developed a superfast and precise digital camera that captures X-rays, which can be used in luggage scanning, medical diagnosis and to study material structures.

According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP) on Wednesday, the camera is equipped with an X-ray detector capable of counting single photons and capturing 20,000 frames per second. Thanks to X-ray radiation - photons with sufficiently high energy - it is possible to non-invasively see what is inside an object or examine the structure of materials.

Such a solution can be used by security personnel to scan luggage, or by doctors to perform X-ray or CT scans. Radiation also allows for checking the chemical composition of certain materials, examining works of art, or analyzing the structure of materials, for example, to detect flaws in components.

The speed at which the camera can capture images enables users to watch changing states of test materials or capture fast-moving objects. This tool is especially needed in the electronic, automotive, pharmaceutical industries and other branches of economy, where quality of production is controlled with the use of X-rays.

The camera from AGH detects single photons, counts them and determines their energy.

"Five million photons per second can enter a single pixel, and our camera will process them correctly. This opens new possibilities, for example for computed tomography," said Professor Pawel Grybos AGH's department of metrology and electronics. According to him, it will improve image quality and allow for reducing the dose of X-rays during examination.

In April, their solution won a gold medal with distinction at the international exhibition of inventions in Geneva. Endit