Time Resolved X-Ray Imaging of Dendritic Growth in Binary Alloys

Abstract

Direct beam x-ray imaging, with intense coherent monochromatic synchrotron radiation and a fast readout low noise detector has been used for in situ studies of cellular and dendritic solidification of Sn-Pb alloys. Temporal and spatial resolutions down to $\ensuremath{\sim}0.7\mathrm{s}$ and $\ensuremath{\sim}2.5\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$, respectively, with a field of view up to $1{\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$ were obtained. The collected images display features from both phase and amplitude contrast which, combined with the attainable temporal resolution, provide a method with the potential to uncover dynamic processes in nonequilibrium solidification.