We present an x-ray coherent diffractive imaging experiment utilizing a nonplanar incident wave and demonstrate success by reconstructing a nonperiodic gold sample at 24 nm resolution. Favorable effects of the curved beam illumination are identified.

We discuss contrast formation in a propagating x-ray beam. We consider the validity conditions for linear relations based on the transport-of-intensity equation (TIE) and on contrast transfer functions (CTFs). From a single diffracted image, we recover the thickness of a homogeneous object which has substantial absorption and a phase-shift of --0.37 radian.

We use the x-ray extended-range technique ͑XERT͒ ͓Chantler et al., Phys. Rev. A 64, 062506 ͑2001͔͒ to measure the mass attenuation coefficients of molybdenum in the x-ray energy range of 13.5-41.5 keV to 0.02-0.15 % accuracy. Measurements made over an extended range of the measurement parameter space are critically examined to identify, quantify, and correct where necessary a number of experimental systematic errors. These results represent the most extensive experimental data set for molybdenum and include absolute mass attenuation coefficients in the regions of the x-ray absorption fine structure ͑XAFS͒ and x-ray-absorption near-edge structure ͑XANES͒. The imaginary component of the atomic form-factor f 2 is derived from the photoelectric absorption after subtracting calculated Rayleigh and Compton scattering cross sections from the total attenuation. Comparison of the result with tabulations of calculated photoelectric absorption coefficients indicates that differences of 1-15 % persist between the calculated and observed values.

We use the x-ray extended-range technique ͑XERT͒ ͓C. T. Chantler et al., Phys. Rev. A 64, 062506 ͑2001͔͒ to measure the mass attenuation coefficients of tin in the x-ray energy range of 29-60 keV to 0.04-3 % accuracy, and typically in the range 0.1-0.2 %. Measurements made over an extended range of the measurement parameter space are critically examined to identify, quantify, and correct a number of potential experimental systematic errors. These results represent the most extensive experimental data set for tin and include absolute mass attenuation coefficients in the regions of x-ray absorption fine structure, extended x-ray absorption fine structure, and x-ray absorption near-edge structure. The imaginary component of the atomic form factor f 2 is derived from the photoelectric absorption after subtracting calculated Rayleigh and Compton scattering cross sections from the total attenuation. Comparison of the result with tabulations of calculated photoelectric absorption coefficients indicates that differences of 1 -2 % persist between calculated and observed values.

In line with an ongoing programme to determine accurately x-ray attenuation coefficients, we have developed a method for the quantitative determination of the effect on experimental results of monochromator harmonic components in a synchrotron beam. The technique can be adapted to suit a wide variety of experiments, and is of particular interest because it determines the effect of the harmonic components directly. This avoids the necessity for modelling and is therefore robust. Results of a direct determination of the effect of harmonic components illustrate the power of the technique. We extended the technique to quantify the effects of dark current-induced errors.