Absorption and Phase Contrast X-Ray Imaging in Paleontology Using Laboratory and Synchrotron Sources

Bidola P, Stockmar M, Achterhold K, Pfeiffer F, Pacheco MLAF, Soriano C, Beckmann F, Herzen J (2015)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Microscopy and Microanalysis Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Book Volume: 21

Pages Range: 1288-1295

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1017/S1431927615014919

Abstract

X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) is commonly used for imaging of samples in biomedical or materials science research. Owing to the ability to visualize a sample in a nondestructive way, X-ray μCT is perfectly suited to inspect fossilized specimens, which are mostly unique or rare. In certain regions of the world where important sedimentation events occurred in the Precambrian geological time, several fossilized animals are studied to understand questions related to their origin, environment, and life evolution. This article demonstrates the advantages of applying absorption and phase-contrast CT on the enigmatic fossil Corumbella werneri, one of the oldest known animals capable of building hard parts, originally discovered in Corumbá (Brazil). Different tomographic setups were tested to visualize the fossilized inner structures: a commercial laboratory-based μCT device, two synchrotron-based imaging setups using conventional absorption and propagation-based phase contrast, and a commercial X-ray microscope with a lens-coupled detector system, dedicated for radiography and tomography. Based on our results we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different imaging setups for paleontological studies.

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität München (TUM) DE Germany (DE) Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar) / Federal University of São Carlos BR Brazil (BR) Argonne National Laboratory US United States (USA) (US) Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH (HZG) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Bidola, P., Stockmar, M., Achterhold, K., Pfeiffer, F., Pacheco, M.L.A.F., Soriano, C.,... Herzen, J. (2015). Absorption and Phase Contrast X-Ray Imaging in Paleontology Using Laboratory and Synchrotron Sources. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 21(5), 1288-1295. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927615014919

MLA:

Bidola, Pidassa, et al. "Absorption and Phase Contrast X-Ray Imaging in Paleontology Using Laboratory and Synchrotron Sources." Microscopy and Microanalysis 21.5 (2015): 1288-1295.

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