X-ray computed tomography using projection X-ray microscope

We have applied projection X-ray microscope for three-dimensional (3-D) structure analysis by means of cone-beam computed tomography. The projection images of small insect, Omiscus Porcellio, were recorded in every 1 degree for whole direction (360 degree) with a stepping motor controlled sample rotator. The images were recorded with cooled CCD camera (HAMAMATSU C4880) which detect X-ray directly. The 3-D image was reconstructed from corn-beam projections using back projection algorithm. The resolution of the reconstructed 3-D image (256 x 256 x 512 pixels) was about 20 mum. The digestive organs were clearly visualized in 3-D.