An Instrument for Advanced Material Microstructure Analysis
Abstract
Development and evaluation of a Scintillator Fiber-optic Reticon Detector array (SFRD) for application to a high-resolution computed tomography (CT) instrument, or Tomoscope, has been carried out. The objectives were to develop cryogenic cooling and electronic control and amplification to improve the detector noise performance and to evaluate the thermal, electronic and X-ray performance of the detector package. The thermoelectric cryostat was developed with a temperature floor of -70 C and typical drift of 0.1 C/min. The electronic control allows computer adjustment of integration time between .18 and 350 seconds. The preamplifier demonstrated RMS noise of order 1000 electrons, though the overall system noise was significantly higher. X-ray testing demonstrated detector resolution better than 50-microns FWHM. The Tomoscope will be a valuable instrument for NDE evaluations, aerospace materials and components. In particular, for inspection of internal structure and damage of materials used in turbine blades, vanes and disks. It will be useful for better understanding of fabrication, failure modes and for final component inspections.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA189389
Entities
People
- J. A. Smith
- J. J. Lepage
- R. A. Hamstra