High-Energy PXRD Experiments Empowered by the PILATUS4 CdTe Detector
A 5-minute read
We are proud to share that our article—“Enhancing high‑energy powder X‑ray diffraction applications using a PILATUS4 CdTe detector” (Donath et al. J. Synchr. Rad. 2025, 32, 378) has been published.
This study was conducted in collaboration with scientists at the MAX IV Laboratory (Sweden) and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF, France). Using the new PILATUS4 CdTe detector, we pushed the limits of resolution, speed, and performance in high-energy PXRD.
4 Highlights with PILATUS4
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Exceptional detection speed without dead time
The detector achieves frame rates of up to 4,000 Hz. Thanks to its continuous-readout architecture, it is collecting photons at least 99.96% of the time, enabling virtually dead-time-free measurements. -
High quantum efficiency at elevated energies
The CdTe sensor of PILATUS4 retains high quantum efficiency (QE) across the X-ray spectrum. Starting above 95% at 8 keV, it maintains > 50% QE up to 100 keV, ensuring minimal photon loss in demanding high-energy X-ray investigations. -
In situ solid-state reaction monitoring at MAX IV
At the DanMAX beamline, MAX IV, we tracked the solid-state reaction between Al₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ using time-resolved PXRD. The detector operated at near maximum capacity, delivering the temporal resolution needed to follow a reaction that completes in under 200 ms during rapid heating. - Fast-scanning X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRD‑CT) at ESRF
At the ID-15A beamline, ESRF, we performed XRD-CT of a Li-ion battery using 100 keV photons for high penetration depth. The CdTe sensor provided high QE at these energies, while the detector’s speed enabled a full tomographic dataset to be collected in just three minutes. Experiments were performed with both PILATUS3 and PILATUS4 to directly compare achievable image quality.
Image : XRD-CT reconstructions of a Li-ion battery recorded at beamline ID-15A (ESRF). The image is excerpted from Figure 3 of the original publication (Donath et al. J. Synchr. Rad. 2025, 32, 378).
These experiments demonstrate how the PILATUS4 CdTe detector dramatically enhances both temporal resolution and spatial fidelity in high-energy PXRD. The results open new opportunities for advancing materials science, in situ chemical process monitoring, and energy research.
Contact Tilman Donath for more information on PILATUS4
