Abstract
Abstract
X-ray computed tomography is a standard method of non-destructive testing of a wide range
of static objects. In recent years, time-dependent tomography has been on the rise, for which it
is necessary to acquire a series of tomographic data covering the event of interest. For slower
processes, conventional laboratory X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanners can be used, while when
events are faster, a very intense X-ray source is usually required. For high resolution
requirements, the need for an intense X-ray source leads to the use of a synchrotron. An exception
is tomographic tracking of periodic events. As will be shown, for these, a good quality
reconstruction can be achieved even in the case of a relatively low-intensity X-ray source. To
avoid blurring of the individual X-ray images by the motion of the object, the exposure time must
be reasonably short. At motion rates of units of Hz, this time cannot be longer than tens of ms,
this requirement naturally leads to low data statistics. Sufficient statistics is achieved by
integrating images taken at an identical position of the moving object. A key requirement of such
an approach is the precise synchronization of all active components of the system. The imaging
detector must be capable of taking images on demand by hardware triggering with the capability of
adequately short exposures. The ability of the CT system to investigate periodically moving
objects will be demonstrated on the object oscillating harmonically at 3.81 Hz.