Automatic 3D image registration for nano-resolution chemical mapping using synchrotron spectro-tomography

Abstract

Nano-resolution synchrotron X-ray spectro-tomography has been demonstrated as a powerful tool for probing the three-dimensional (3D) structural and chemical heterogeneity of a sample. By reconstructing a number of tomographic data sets recorded at different X-ray energy levels, the energy-dependent intensity variation in every given voxel fingerprints the corresponding local chemistry. The resolution and accuracy of this method, however, could be jeopardized by non-ideal experimental conditions, e.g. instability in the hardware system and/or in the sample itself. Herein is presented one such case, in which unanticipated sample deformation severely degrades the data quality. To address this issue, an automatic 3D image registration method is implemented to evaluate and correct this effect. The method allows the redox heterogeneity in partially delithiated Li x Ta0.3Mn0.4O2 battery cathode particles to be revealed with significantly improved fidelity.

The significance of detecting imperceptible physical/chemical changes/reactions in lithium-ion batteries: a perspective

“…196 Spectroscopic imaging techniques combined with big data Nanoresolution synchrotron X-ray spectrotomography has been confirmed to be a powerful tool for probing the 3D structural and chemical heterogeneity of battery materials. 43,202,203 Zhang et al 202 visualized the formation and evolution of inactive domains, as well as the inhomogeneous Li distribution in a single LiCoO 2 particle through in situ TXM coupling of the pouch cell setup (Fig. 21 top).…”

Synchrotron X‐Ray Tomography for Rechargeable Battery Research: Fundamentals, Setups and Applications

“…Zhang et al. [ 107 ] used this method to analyze the redox activity of Mn element in two selected Li x Ta 0.3 Mn 0.4 O 2 particles ( Figure a). The results showed that the oxidation degree of particle 1 is higher than that of particle 2, demonstrating that nonuniform redox reactions can lead to different degrees of particle fracture behavior.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [ 107 ] Copyright 2017, International Union of Crystallography. b) XANES 3D tomography of one NCM particle in its original state, after 1 cycle, after 200 cycles ((i)‐(iii)).…”

Improving a Rapid Alignment Method of Tomography Projections by a Parallel Approach

“…Tomography self-consistency or bootstrap methods [29,30] instead try to infer the alignment parameters while reconstructing the volume (Section 2). Paired with coarse alignment [31], these methods are usually the best choice to solve the misalignment problem. While in great part automatic, these techniques are for their nature extremely demanding from a computational point of view and can require both commercial software and highly experienced users [16].…”