Multi bin energy-sensitive micro-CT using large area photon-counting detectors Timepix

X-ray micro-CT has become a popular and widely used tool for the purposes of scientific research. Although the current state-of-the-art micro-CT is on a high technology level, it still has some known limitations. One of the relevant issues is an inability to clearly identify and quantify specific materials. The mentioned drawback can be solved by the energy-sensitive CT approach. Dual-energy CT, which is already frequently used in human medicine, offers the identification of two different materials; for example, it differentiates an intravenous contrast agent from bone or it can indicate the composition of urinary stones. Resolving a larger number of material components within a single object is beyond the capabilities of dual-energy CT. Such an approach requires a higher number of measurements using different photon energies. A possible solution for multi bin, or so-called spectral CT, is the application of photon-counting detectors. Photon counting technology offers an integrated circuitry capable of resolving the energy of incoming photons in each pixel. Therefore, it is possible to collect data in user-defined energy windows. This contribution evaluates the applicability of the large-area photon-counting detector Timepix for multi bin energy-sensitive micro-CT. It presents an experimental phantom study focused on the simultaneous K-edge-based identification and quantification of multiple contrast agents within a single object. The paper describes the collection of multiple energy bins using the Timepix detector operated in the photon counting mode, explains the data processing, and demonstrates the results obtained from an in-house implemented basis material decomposition algorithm.