Master's Thesis: Optimizing X-ray imaging

Do you want to help shape the future of high-resolution X-ray imaging? Excillum develops the world’s brightest laboratory X-ray

sources, and we are looking for a master’s student in physics, electrical engineering or applied mathematics who is excited about

X-ray sources, X-ray imaging and experimentation.

About Excillum

At Excillum, we push the boundaries of X-ray technology to enable breakthroughs in manufacturing, medicine and science. Our

advanced X-ray sources enhance the manufacturing of semiconductors, batteries, electronics and aerospace components, as well as

enable new biomedical and material sciences. They make our customers’ X-ray systems faster and better with lower cost of

operation.

Founded in 2007 by researchers from KTH, Excillum has grown into a global leader in advanced microfocus and nanofocus X-ray

sources. Today, our products are used by leading industrial companies, instrument manufacturers and research institutions around

the world.

About the project

This project is part of the NanoTube application team, which develops and demonstrates use cases for our products. You will work

with the Excillum NanoTube N3 transmission X-ray source, both theoretically and in our application lab. The source is

exceptionally stable, with a round focal spot and precise e-beam control that open up new ways to push true nano-resolution

tomography.

Imaging with X-rays can be challenging! You need an X-ray source, a detector and a sample placed somewhere in between, which

determines the magnification. Then come many more choices: Which high voltage setting, in other words which “color”? Which spot

size? Which target material? Should you use a filter? Each choice comes with its own trade-offs.

The aim of this thesis is to build an easy-to-use tool that helps navigate these trade-offs. We have already built a strong

simulation environment in Geant4 that predicts the optical quality (MTF) of different X-ray source configurations. Your task is to

expand it to cover the entire imaging chain and answer the question: how fast can we get an image of a certain quality? You will

also have the opportunity to set up experiments in our lab to verify the model’s predictions.

What you will do

• Expand our Geant4-based simulation tool from source performance to the full imaging chain

Who you are

You are a master’s student in physics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics or similar field, with a genuine interest in

X-ray physics and simulation. You enjoy turning physics into models, and models into tools that others can use.

• Compensation: SEK 15,000 halfway through the project and an additional SEK 15,000 upon successful completion. Excillum also

covers project-related expenses such as travel and materials.

Apply

To apply, please submit your CV, a cover letter and a copy of your academic transcripts.

We look forward to your application! If you have any questions regarding the thesis, do not hesitate to contact Hugo Högberg West

at hugo.hogberg@excillum.com.