Polycapillary optics are utilized in a wide variety of applications and are integral components in many state of the art instruments. Polycapillary optics operate by collecting X-rays and efficiently propagating them by total external reflection to form focused and parallel beams. We discuss the general parameters for designing these optics and provide specific examples on balancing the interrelations of beam flux, source size, focal spot-size, and beam divergence. The development of compact X-ray sources with characteristics tailored to match the requirements of polycapillary optics allows substantial reduction in size, weight, and power of complete X-ray systems. These compact systems have enabled the development of portable, remote, and in-line sensors for applications in industry, science and medicine. We present examples of the utility and potential of these optics for enhancing a wide variety of X-ray analyses.
The design, manufacturing and characterization of polycapillary x-ray optics are essential to improve and verify the performance of the optics. Important issues with regard to each of these processes are reviewed and discussed. Specific topics include the optimum design to achieve small focal spot for focusing optics and small beam divergence for collimating optics. Different characterization methods for measuring spot size and beam divergence are compared and discussed. The performance of different types of optics was evaluated and the future development of the technology is reviewed and discussed.
Note: Comparison of grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering of a titania sponge structure at the beamlines BW4 (DORIS III) and P03 (PETRA III) Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 106104 (2012) Soft x-ray images of the laser entrance hole of ignition hohlraums Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10E525 (2012) Pinned, optically aligned diagnostic dock for use on the Z facility Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10D714 (2012) Experimental and simulation study of undesirable short-period deformation in piezoelectric deformable x-ray mirrors Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 053701 (2012) Determination of the temperature of bremsstrahlung photon generated by ultraintense laser using various thickness attenuators Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 033301 (2011) Additional information on Appl. Phys. Lett.
A monolithic polycapillary focusing optic was tested in the microbeam x-ray fluorescence system at the Oak Ridge Center for Manufacturing Technology. The optic was designed to cover a wide energy range from 4 keV to 20 keV. The focal spot size of the output beam at 17.4 keV (Mo Kα) was measured to be 21 μm full width of half maximum. An average beam intensity of 1.5×105 photon/s/μm2 was obtained at the focus for Mo Kα line using a 12 W microfocus x-ray source. This intensity is about 2400 times over that of a direct beam at 100 mm away from the x-ray source. The small, intense x-ray beam obtained was used to analyze and map the compositions of different elements in industrial samples.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.