High-resolution X-ray imaging applications of hybrid-pixel photon counting detectors Timepix

Medipix and Timepix type hybrid-pixel photon counting detectors were originally developed and intended as particle trackers at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Nevertheless, the applicability of Medipix technology is much broader and exceeds the field of high energy physics. The unique features of Medipix devices – namely the dark-current-free quantum-counting, energy-determination and steep point-spread function – make them a powerful tool for imaging using ionizing radiation. This work provides insight into the applied results of Medipix technology from fields of transmission X-ray imaging and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging. The history of Medipix technology is briefly described. The detectors are then characterized by means of key parameters connected with imaging techniques. Medipix detectors are compared with conventional X-ray imaging cameras and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Finally, the methodology principles of high X-ray transmission radiography and XRF imaging are explained and a number of applications from different fields of science are demonstrated.