Some Illustrative X-ray Images

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Some Illustrative X-ray Images

To the right is an x-ray micrograph of a portable radio. We do look at a large assortment of samples, and the radio is not completely atypical of the sorts of things we routinely examine with real-time x-rays. There are enough parts to make the picture interesting. For the aficionados who appreciate details, the image was obtained with a 70 kilovolt potential on the x-ray tube and a beam current of 100 mA. You are looking through the radio, which is rotated at about 45 degrees to the direction of view to give somewhat better perspective. The left side of the radio is toward you. An inductor is at the lower left, and an integrated circuit can be seen at the top center. The screws holding the case together are also apparent.

This is a stereographic view of the same radio. Two images made at slightly different viewing angles have been superimposed. The image can be viewed in stereo if you have red/cyan (or red/blue) stereo glasses (right eye is red). The components on various levels will seem to float in air.

The x-ray images above are taken at relatively low magnification. In this micrograph, you are looking at the integrated circuit (IC) which appears toward the top of the other images. The radio has been moved closer to the x-ray source to yield a geometric magnification of roughly 20 times. The actual silicon chip is relatively transparent to x- rays but the wires leading too it are apparent. The silicon chip is in a plastic package. The external package pins on one side of the package are in the foreground. Metal traces on what is known as the lead frame provide electrical contact between the pins and the bond wires to the chip.

A real-time x-ray analysis is usually recorded on video tape and images, as illustrated, can be captured and printed. One of the real advantages of the technique over conventional film radiography is that the analyst has great flexibility in the investigation. Questions about the construction of a sample can often be resolved immediately by moving the sample to obtain a different perspective or by adjusting the electron beam voltage (penetrating power) or current (contrast).

For more information on microfocus radiography contact Dr. Gary Stupian at stupian@law-west.org