Patent ID: 9726624
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: G01N

Claim:
1. An apparatus for overlapped X-ray diffraction imaging, comprising: a source assembly, which comprises multiple X-ray sources that, for a predefined direction of scanning, (i) partially overlap one another along an axis orthogonal to the direction of scanning and (ii) are offset relative to one another along the direction of scanning, wherein the X-ray sources are configured to direct multiple respective X-ray beams so as to irradiate, on a first surface of a sample, multiple respective regions that (i) partially overlap one another along the axis orthogonal to the direction of scanning and (ii) are offset relative to one another along the direction of scanning; a detector assembly, which comprises multiple X-ray detectors that (i) partially overlap one another along the axis orthogonal to the direction of scanning and (ii) are offset relative to one another along the direction of scanning, wherein the X-ray detectors are configured to detect the respective X-ray beams that are directed by the X-ray sources, enter the sample at the first surface, are diffracted while passing through the sample and exit the sample at a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, and to produce respective electrical signals in response to the detected X-ray beams; a scanning assembly, which is configured to move the sample relative to the source assembly and the detector assembly along the direction of scanning; and a processor, which is configured to identify defects in the sample by creating a diffracted X-ray intensity image from the electrical signals, which are produced by the detector assembly while the sample is moved, and detecting in the diffracted X-ray intensity image changes relative to a defect-free crystal.