X-RISE - A Multifunctional X-ray Radiography Device for Parabolic Flights and Laboratory Use

Abstract

A multifunctional X-ray radiography device for parabolic flights and lab-based research is presented. Based on the technology Demonstrator X-ray radiography facility DIXI for the Materials Science Laboratory aboard the International Space Station, the full 90◦ tiltability of the facility enables to change the gravity vector with respect to the sample orientation, providing the tunability of the impact of the gravitational force on the investigated processes. The acronym X-RISE - X-Ray Investigations in Space Environment - unifies our research activities by utilizing a X-ray micro-radiography facility for different experiment classes with the need for microgravity environment namely solidification research, diffusion experiments, and the dynamics of granular matter upon compaction. A commercial actively pumped microfocus transmission X-ray source by Viscom AG delivers up to 20W X-ray power at 100 kV acceleration voltage. It is combined with different experiment cartridges and detector modules. The facility is classified as a fully-protected radiography equipment according to German and French radiation safety laws. Besides its use aboard parabolic flights it is also a powerful terrestrial research facility. The technological possibilities of X-RISE for material science research are presented within this paper. Moreover examples of recent parabolic flight experiments focusing on different science areas are presented to highlight the capabilities of this facility.