General Atomics Unveils EXCALIBUR, Expanding Access to Advanced X-ray Calibration and Metrology

SAN DIEGO, July 2, 2026. Scientists at General Atomics this month unveiled EXCALIBUR, a versatile new laboratory system designed to precisely measure and fine-tune X-ray equipment for advanced research and manufacturing.

Short for Experimental X-ray CALIBration UseR facility, EXCALIBUR helps researchers inspect the thin films, coatings and foils used in X-ray systems. These materials can be thousands of times thinner than human hair or closer to the thickness of thin plastic, depending on how they are used. They act like specialized windows or filters that shape X-ray beams, let X-rays pass through, maintain vacuum seals and protect sensitive equipment.

To better understand how these materials will perform, EXCALIBUR brings together X-ray sources, precision detectors, X-ray cameras, automated instruments and advanced analysis tools into one compact setup. It can figure out what the materials are made of, how much X-ray energy passes through them and how much material there is, all without damaging the part. It also can inspect multiple spots on a single sample or measure dozens of samples in one day, giving researchers information that would otherwise be more difficult or time-consuming to obtain.

That level of detail is important because some thin-film and foil manufacturers allow thickness variations of 10% to 20%, which can affect how an experiment performs. By making these measurements faster and easier to obtain in a standard lab setting, EXCALIBUR helps improve the trust researchers have in their own materials and accelerates progress in areas such as fusion energy, plasma science, semiconductors, sensors and space technologies.

“This is a breakthrough device that reflects the ingenuity of General Atomics’ technical teams,” said Haibo Huang, Director of the Center of Excellence in Advanced Diagnostics at General Atomics. “It’s worth comes down to speed, flexibility, accuracy and precision. We can support rapid prototyping, metrology-informed performance modeling and advanced calibration in quick sessions.”

Another key advantage of EXCALIBUR is its ability to measure X-ray Bragg crystals, which are used to separate X-rays by their wavelength. In simple terms, these crystals help researchers read the “fingerprint” of an X-ray source or plasma experiment. The fingerprint is then used to reveal important details about plasma, including its temperature, density, movement, turbulence and impurities, while also helping scientists compare real-world results with computer models. Because even small defects in a crystal can affect the quality of those measurements, accurate calibration is essential. EXCALIBUR helps scientists confirm that these crystals are performing as expected before they are used in demanding, high-radiation research environments.

General Atomics recently demonstrated this capability in a paper published in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, a peer-reviewed journal focused on plasma physics and related science and technology, using EXCALIBUR to calibrate a quartz crystal in a specific crystal arrangement known as Laue geometry.

“X‑ray crystals are typically calibrated at large synchrotron facilities, which are in high demand and not routinely used by crystal fabricators. This means that, for the level of precision and accuracy needed in high‑energy‑density experiments, crystals are not always calibrated to a high enough standard after they are made,” said Ruben Santana, Scientist and Project lead in Inertial Fusion Technology at General Atomics. “As a result, scientists may field a crystal in an experiment without full confidence in how its efficiency or quality will influence their measurements.”

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