An X-ray tomograph based on a flat panel detector

The technique of Computed Tomography (CT) combined with the pertinent interpretation of the obtained images is a powerful diagnostic tool which can provide details on the internal structure of a large class of objects, nowadays being largely employed in medical, industrial, material science and art work investigations. In this paper, the prototype of a tomographic equipment based on a flat panel detector, as well as the related software, is described. This relatively low-cost equipment was especially designed to be used for the study of cultural heritage objects. The basic performances of this newly developed apparatus and of the corresponding software are reported. For illustration, examples of images of some Eneolithic artefacts made out of clay and enclosing smaller inner objects, images obtained with the help of this tomographic device, are given as well. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.