Master's Thesis: Optimizing X-ray imaging

Do you want to help shape the future of high-resolution X-ray imaging? Excillum develops the world’s brightest laboratory X-ray sources, and we are looking for a master’s student in physics, electrical engineering or applied mathematics who is excited about X-ray sources, X-ray imaging and experimentation.

About Excillum
At Excillum, we push the boundaries of X-ray technology to enable breakthroughs in manufacturing, medicine and science. Our advanced X-ray sources enhance the manufacturing of semiconductors, batteries, electronics and aerospace components, as well as enable new biomedical and material sciences. They make our customers’ X-ray systems faster and better with lower cost of operation.

Founded in 2007 by researchers from KTH, Excillum has grown into a global leader in advanced microfocus and nanofocus X-ray sources. Today, our products are used by leading industrial companies, instrument manufacturers and research institutions around the world.

About the project
This project is part of the NanoTube application team, which develops and demonstrates use cases for our products. You will work with the Excillum NanoTube N3 transmission X-ray source, both theoretically and in our application lab. The source is exceptionally stable, with a round focal spot and precise e-beam control that open up new ways to push true nano-resolution tomography.

Imaging with X-rays can be challenging! You need an X-ray source, a detector and a sample placed somewhere in between, which determines the magnification. Then come many more choices: Which high voltage setting, in other words which “color”? Which spot size? Which target material? Should you use a filter? Each choice comes with its own trade-offs.

The aim of this thesis is to build an easy-to-use tool that helps navigate these trade-offs. We have already built a strong simulation environment in Geant4 that predicts the optical quality (MTF) of different X-ray source configurations. Your task is to expand it to cover the entire imaging chain and answer the question: how fast can we get an image of a certain quality? You will also have the opportunity to set up experiments in our lab to verify the model’s predictions.

What you will do

• Expand our Geant4-based simulation tool from source performance to the full imaging chain

• Include sample and background properties and their relation to the X-ray spectrum

• Incorporate power loading rules and detector response

• Calculate expected contrast-to-noise ratios and compare different materials

• Make the tool easy to use for optimizing source settings

• Set up experiments to verify predictions from the model

What you will learn

• How X-rays are generated

• X-ray imaging

• Different ways to compare image quality

• How to build a simulation tool

• Practical work with advanced laboratory instruments

Who you are
You are a master’s student in physics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics or similar field, with a genuine interest in X-ray physics and simulation. You enjoy turning physics into models, and models into tools that others can use.

To succeed in this project, we believe you need:

• Programming skills in Python or Matlab and experience with AI-assisted software development

• Basic x-ray physics and imaging knowledge

• Good communication skills in English

It is a strong merit if you have knowledge of X-ray imaging and experience in building simulation tools.

Practical information

• Level: Master’s thesis, 30 credits

• Start: January 2027

• Location: Excillum, Jan Stenbecks torg 17, Kista – at least 50% on-site

• Working language: English

• Supervisors: Robert Rosén and Daniel Nilsson

• Project owner: Robert Rosén

• Compensation: SEK 15,000 halfway through the project and an additional SEK 15,000 upon successful completion. Excillum also covers project-related expenses such as travel and materials.

Apply
To apply, please submit your CV, a cover letter and a copy of your academic transcripts.
We look forward to your application! If you have any questions regarding the thesis, do not hesitate to contact Hugo Högberg West at hugo.hogberg@excillum.com.