Speaker
Description
X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a fundamental tool for non-destructive analysis of crystalline materials. In this work, we present a novel method that exploits the advanced features of the newly developed hybrid pixel detector Timepix4 to achieve both time- and spatially-resolved XRD.
Timepix4, developed by the Medipix collaboration, offers a sensitive area of 7 cm² composed of 512×448 pixels, each 55×55 µm² in size. It supports both traditional frame-based acquisition and a data-driven mode, where each pixel hit is read out independently. In this mode, the detector delivers energy measurements with a resolution around 1 keV, along with time-of-arrival information with a precision of up to 200 ps.
We utilize these capabilities to perform energy- and time-resolved XRD using a polychromatic X-ray source. This approach significantly simplifies the experimental setup by eliminating the need for monochromatic beams, while enabling high-throughput measurements and providing additional structural insights across multiple energy channels.
Our setup includes a standard off-the-shelf X-ray tube with a tungsten collimator to generate a fan-shaped beam. Experiments were performed on a phantom composed of multiple materials with well-characterized crystalline structures. To demonstrate the time-resolved capabilities, the sample was moved using a translation stage to simulate structural changes. The measured data were processed to extract scattering information from individual crystal planes intersected by the fan beam, including the interaction time and spatial location within the specimen. Analysis of the resulting data confirmed the ability to resolve lattice parameters dynamically in both space and time.
Achieved results demonstrate the potential of Timepix4 for advanced non-destructive testing and dynamic structural analysis using XRD, opening new possibilities in time-resolved diffraction experiments.
