Speaker
Description
FaXToR is the first hard X‑ray micro‑tomography beamline operating at the ALBA Synchrotron, designed to deliver fast, high‑flux, multi‑scale imaging across a broad energy range. Its architecture combines filtered white and monochromatic beam modes, enabling absorption, propagation‑based phase contrast, and grating interferometry. A versatile endstation with multiple detection systems supports quasi‑simultaneous imaging at different spatial and temporal resolutions, advancing a multi‑scale, multimodal approach to investigate morpho‑structural changes across diverse materials [1]. A central focus of FaXToR is virtual histology, where phase‑contrast imaging and grating interferometry provide soft‑tissue sensitivity comparable to classical histology but without sectioning or staining. Sub‑micrometre voxel sizes, long propagation distances, and high‑flux illumination enable visualization of cellular‑scale features within intact organs, supporting quantitative 3D morphometry and pathology‑driven analysis. This workflow is strengthened by the beamline capability for dynamic studies, capturing physiological or mechanical processes in real time. The optical layout is centered on a double multilayer monochromator optimized for vibrational stability and high‑power handling. Advanced filtering units, diagnostics, and fast shutter systems ensure precise dose control and high‑speed acquisition. The experimental hutch hosts a flexible tomography tower accommodating diverse in situ environments, while dual microscope detection platforms provide wide‑range spatial resolution. High‑performance computing pipelines enable on‑the‑fly reconstruction and real‑time visualization. Commissioning activities validated performance in terms of power, flux, spectral stability, and monochromator calibration. Applications span biomedicine, paleontology, materials science, geoscience, and energy storage. FaXToR establishes a strategic foundation for future multiscale imaging developments at ALBA and aligns with the long‑term upgrade path toward ALBA II.