3D X-ray microscope

• Subject Area: Materials Science
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 560362435

High-resolution, non-destructive structural analysis is pivotal for the development of new, customized materials and components in materials science, engineering and medicine. The advancements in X-ray imaging technology allow for the non-destructive characterization at the sub-micrometer scale and enable researchers to conduct experiments at laboratory sources instead of synchrotron facilities. The Department Life, Light & Matter (LL&M) of the Interdisciplinary Faculty at the University of Rostock provides all researchers at the University of Rostock with a broad range of state-of-the-art characterization methods. For example, competence centres have been established in the Department LL&M for the characterization of interfaces, as well as for microscopy and spectroscopy. These competence centres provide dedicated, high-level instrumentation including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, multi-photon microscopy, scanning ion conductance, atomic force microscopy, nanoprobing and -manipulation. Complementary to the available technologies, there is a great need for a high-resolution X-ray microscope that enables materials characterization across multiple length scales. The proposed 3D X-ray microscope allows for high-resolution, non-destructive 3D characterization and analysis of materials behaviour in situ, for example subject to mechanical loading. In addition, the obtained data can be used to establish multiscale materials modelling and simulation, which will serve as a basis for tailored materials development. The subsequent targeted preparation for high-resolution electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) completes the workflow and enables a correlative characterization. The 3D X-ray microscope fits immediately into the research foci of the Department LL&M and supports the ongoing and future research in the CRC1270 “Electrically active implants – ELAINE”.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 3D-Röntgenmikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 4070 Spezielle Röntgengeräte für Materialanalyse, Strukturforschung und Werkstoff-Bestrahlung
• Applicant Institution: Universität Rostock
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Berit Zeller-Plumhoff