Laboratory x-ray micro-tomography system with crystallographic grain orientation mapping capabilities

An apparatus for conducting three dimensional crystallographic grain orientation mapping, comprising:

• a laboratory x-ray source generating a broadband x-ray beam;
• a sample rotation stage for rotating the sample in the x-ray beam;
• at least one x-ray detector to collect diffraction data from the sample;
• and
• a controller for receiving the diffraction data from the detector for different rotation positions of the sample and performing three dimensional reconstructions of grain orientation and position.

A projection x-ray imaging system for three dimensional crystallographic grain orientation mapping, comprising:

• a laboratory x-ray source for generating a broadband x ray beam;
• a beam defining aperture that limits the illuminated area on the sample and restricts the size of the direct beam;
• a sample motion stage system with a rotation stage to acquire a series of angular projections;
• at least one detector to collect diffraction data;
• and
• a controller that receives diffraction data from the detector and performing three dimensional reconstructions of grain orientation and position.