Developed by our Detector Research & Development Group, HEXITEC (High Energy X-ray Imaging Technology) is a family of read-out chip technologies which can produce energy-resolved images with world-leading energy resolution at hard X-ray energies (1keV at 100keV).

This cutting-edge technology provides high-resolution ‘colour’ X-ray imaging capabilities, allowing the user to determine the chemical composition and microstructure of a sample based on its spectral fingerprint.

HEXITEC’s family of technologies covers both low-flux (<10^4 photons s^-1 mm^-2) and high-flux (<10^8 photons s^-1 mm^-2) applications. The high-flux HEXITEC system, HEXITEC MHz, maintains the same pixel pitch and array size but works at a continuous frame rate of 1 million frames a second while delivering a spectroscopic resolution of 1 keV at 60 keV. No other detector system has this capability.

HEXITEC detectors are suitable for any application using spectroscopic X-ray imaging techniques and can be applied to many fields such as medical, non-destructive testing, security, recycling and mining.

The original HEXITEC detector is available as a fully developed camera system and can be purchased from the Technology Department directly or from Quantum Detectors. Alternatively, you can license the HEXITEC ASIC to develop your own technologies. A full HEXITEC MHz camera system was developed in summer 2024 and will be ready for commercial sales soon.

For any enquiries and further information, please email us at hexitec@stfc.ac.uk.