X-ray Techniques  /  Coherent Diffractive Imaging (CDI)

Coherent Diffractive Imaging (CDI)

This lensless technique provides aberration-free 2D or 3D images of nanoscale structures, but it is not without challenges. What data can be obtained when a highly coherent beam meets a hybrid-pixel detector?

In a CDI experiment, the diffraction intensities are used directly in order to retrieve the phase. As the process relies on accurate intensities, minimal detector requirements include an ability to detect intensities over 6 orders of magnitude (a high dynamic range) and good sampling (a small pixel size). Before the object is recovered via Fourier inversion, the data need to be corrected and cleaned of errant pixels and cosmics, so other detector requirements include reproducible performance, stable correction files, and an ability to suppress high-energy photons.  

However, the technique is becoming dynamic through experiments that use methods such as real-time monitoring, as well as ptychography (a scanning modality of CDI). In both cases, detector requirements include features such as a high frame rate with short readout times and a high pixel-count-rate capability, without compromising data quality.

  • Detect accurate intensities with a dynamic range up to 32 bits, as well as photon-counting performance.
  • Obtain high spatial resolution with a one-pixel-wide point-spread function.
  • A linear detector response with factory calibrated countrate and flatfield corrections.

Coherent Diffractive Imaging at Synchrotron Sources

  • Achieve high resolution with EIGER2 detectors’ pixel size of 75 x 75 µm.
  • Our detectors feature a high count-rate capability.
  • Conduct scanning experiments with a frame rate of up to 2,000 Hz, thanks to EIGER2 detectors’ continuous readout.

Most Frequently Used Product at Synchrotrons

Our Application Expert

Tilman Donath
Product Manager - High Energy

Want to find out more?

Are you curious about X-ray science, or about choosing the right detector or instrument? Are you making your own X-ray machine?

Collaborate with us!

Do you have a project in mind? We look forward to hearing about it!