(Waygate Technologies: Huerth, Germany) -- Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business and global leader in nondestructive testing (NDT) solutions for industrial inspection, unveiled its new high-resolution computed tomography (CT) system, Phoenix Nanotom HR (high resolution) in early May at the Control 2025 show in Stuttgart, Germany. The system is designed to make advanced X-ray imaging technology accessible to a broader range of users in the electronics sector as well as research and development fields like material, life, and geo sciences.

As part of the new product introduction, Waygate also announced a technology collaboration with Excillum, a global leader in advanced microfocus and nanofocus X-ray sources. Through the collaboration with Excillum, Phoenix Nanotom HR will use a high-resolution nanofocus X-ray tube for the highest imaging resolution and contrast across the full voltage range of 40–160 kV supplied by Excillum.

The Phoenix Nanotom HR CT system opens up high-resolution X-ray imaging with greater ease of use and affordability.

Making advanced technology accessible

Ludovic Milosevic, general manager of radiography systems at Waygate, says, “Leveraging Excillum’s nanofocus source, the new HR version delivers up to five times better resolution than our existing state-of-the-art Nanotom M. That puts it on par with advanced optical magnification scanners—but with a simpler system, faster learning curve, greater flexibility, and at a better price point than comparable solutions.”

Leveraging 300 nm focal spot technology, the Phoenix Nanotom HR enables significantly higher geometric sharpness and detail detectability down to 50 nanometers (0.05 microns). It also allows for high contrast in high- and low-absorbing materials within a single image. Similar resolutions, on the other hand, can be achieved three to five times faster than with the Nanotom M or optical solutions, reducing scan times for samples requiring 120 minutes for 0.5 µm resolution to as little as 40 minutes, or from one hour to only 10 minutes.

Scan of a small part of a Li-Ion cell cathode (0.3 mm x 1 mm x 0.15 mm)

Technical excellence with practical benefits

Unlike traditional high-resolution imaging systems that require specialized expertise and considerable maintenance, the simple user interface of the Phoenix Nanotom HR comes with automated focal-spot selection, increasing ease of use. With just a few hours of training, users can explore submicron particles, design deviations, manufacturing issues, material flaws, and geometric structures. In addition, the system is capable of 24/7 operation with excellent stability, effectively reducing the need for maintenance work to a quarter of standard industry levels.

These capabilities make the system ideal for applications across numerous fields, including semiconductor and electronics inspection, battery technology research, additive manufacturing, material science, geoscience, life sciences, and cultural heritage preservation.

Availability

The Phoenix Nanotom HR is available for order now. For more detailed information or to request a demonstration, visit Waygate Technologies or email phoenix-info@bakerhughes.com.