Real-time tracking of fast-moving objects using ultrafast electron beam X-ray computed tomography

Ultrafast electron beam X-ray computed tomography (UFXCT) allows for non-invasive investigation of multi-phase flows with frame rates up to 8,000 slice images per second and a spatial resolution down to 1 mm (see Fig. 1). With the current detector electronics, however, the scanner is limited to offline image reconstruction after the data acquisition which limits its applicability. Nevertheless, especially real-time process and scanner control are of high interest in multi-phase flow investigations. For this, we redesigned the detector electronics firmware, enhanced data transfer, and implemented real-time image reconstruction and analysis. We finally conducted a demonstration experiment in which the position of a moving test object is dynamically controlled using the online analysis of UFXCT images.