lipflip – A research team from Colorado State University has achieved a significant milestone in 3D X-ray imaging by capturing the first high-resolution CT scans of a dense object using a compact, laser-driven X-ray source. The experiment focused on a gas turbine blade, a challenging subject due to its dense structure and intricate geometry. The findings, published in Optica, mark a critical step forward for non-destructive imaging and inspection techniques.
Led by Assistant Professor Reed Hollinger, the team utilized the CSU-developed ALEPH laser to create extremely bright X-rays capable of penetrating dense materials. This laser-driven approach provides high-resolution scans while using a far more compact system than conventional synchrotron-based imaging setups. Hollinger emphasized that this demonstration is only the beginning of what they hope will evolve into a scalable platform for industrial applications.
The project was a collaboration between CSU’s Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the U.K.’s AWE research center.
New High-Res CT Scans Promises Safer, Faster Inspection for Aerospace and Manufacturing
The ability to generate clear, detailed scans of dense materials without causing damage opens the door to multiple practical applications. Industries such as aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing rely heavily on internal inspections of complex parts like rocket nozzles, jet engine components, and 3D-printed structures. Traditional methods often require cutting into parts or relying on slower and bulkier imaging technology.
By using laser-driven X-ray sources, researchers can conduct rapid, non-invasive CT scans that offer both speed and precision. With additive manufacturing on the rise. This technology presents a valuable solution for inspecting intricate internal features without compromising part integrity.
As CSU’s laser facility expands, the team aims to refine the system further and broaden its use across multiple sectors. Setting the stage for a new era in radiographic imaging.
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CSU Scientists Develop Laser-Driven CT Scans with Unmatched X-Ray Resolution
Researchers at Colorado State University have pioneered a next-generation imaging technique that delivers ultra-high-resolution CT scans using laser-driven X-rays. Unlike conventional industrial CT scanners. Which are bulky and limited to millimeter-scale resolution, CSU’s system generates a compact MeV X-ray source. This miniaturized source enables sharper imaging without sacrificing the X-ray energy needed to penetrate dense materials.
James Hunter of Los Alamos National Laboratory, who partnered on the project. He explained that the key lies in the X-ray generation. “A small spot MeV X-ray source is the single largest lever for improving high-resolution imaging,” he said. The technique relies on CSU’s petawatt-class ALEPH laser, which reaches intensities of 10²¹ watts per square centimeter. This laser accelerates electrons to millions of volts within microns — narrower than a human hair. Before the particles strike a target and emit MeV-level X-rays.
These high-energy X-rays outperform the lower-voltage versions found in hospital settings and are capable of imaging dense parts like turbine blades.
Trillionth-of-a-Second Pulses Enable Imaging of Rapid Motion in Dense Materials
The X-ray pulses produced by CSU’s laser system last just trillionths of a second. This fleeting duration makes the system uniquely suited for capturing fast-moving components. Such as rotating turbine blades or internal jet engine parts in operation. “There are no other X-ray sources that can do this,” said Assistant Professor Reed Hollinger.
This ability to conduct time-resolved imaging at high resolutions opens the door to breakthroughs in diagnostics and design for aerospace, defense, and energy systems. Rather than relying on destructive testing or waiting for equipment failure. Engineers can inspect moving components in real-time and in full 3D detail.
The short pulse duration and high energy combine to make this a game-changing tool for imaging innovation.
ATLAS Facility to Expand CSU’s Laser Research Toward Broader Industrial Applications
The laser-driven imaging method is just one of the applications that CSU plans to develop further at its upcoming Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science (ATLAS) Facility. Set to launch in 2026, ATLAS will give researchers greater capacity to explore how high-intensity lasers can shape future technologies.
Projects will range from inertial fusion research to the generation of bright electron and X-ray beams for advanced imaging. The facility’s increased power and scale will allow for faster development and wider testing of compact, high-performance imaging tools like the one showcased in this study.
By making high-resolution, MeV-level X-ray imaging more accessible and adaptable, CSU’s team aims to transform how industries approach quality control, testing, and design.