Hard x-ray nanoprobe based on refractive x-ray lenses

Abstract

Based on nanofocusing refractive x-ray lenses a hard x-ray scanning microscope is currently being developed and is being implemented at beamline ID13 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France). It can be operated in transmission, fluorescence, and diffraction mode. Tomographic scanning allows one to determine the inner structure of a specimen. In this device, a monochromatic (E=21keV) hard x-ray nanobeam with a lateral extension of 47×55nm2 was generated. Further reduction of the beam size to below 20 nm is targeted.

Analysis of engineered nanomaterials in complex matrices (environment and biota): General considerations and conceptual case studies

“…Similarly, laser ablation ICP-MS-based elemental mapping may be used to determine the overall spatial distribution of elements within a sample very rapidly and may be used in conjunction with synchrotron-based techniques for the confirmation of the presence of nanomaterials [50]. Although microfocused X-ray microscopy techniques generally do not have the spatial resolution to image individual nanoparticles at subcellular scales, a number of facilities are now available that provide beam spot sizes as small as 30 to 50 nm, which may allow for the identification and structural spectroscopic analysis of single nanoparticles or nanoparticle aggregates at the subcellular level [56]. With such highly focused beams, critical evaluation of beam damage effects and proper sample preservation and processing is of paramount importance.…”

Hard x-ray scanning microscopy with coherent radiation: Beyond the resolution of conventional x-ray microscopes

“…3 In conventional x-ray microscopy the spatial resolution is currently limited to a few 10 nm, 3 mainly due to aberrations and the limited numerical aperture of today's x-ray optics. [4][5][6][7] By combining scanning microscopy with coherent x-ray diffraction imaging this limit can be overcome. In recent years, scanning coherent diffraction microscopy, also known as ptychography, has been rediscovered 8 and introduced into the field of x-ray imaging.…”

“…In addition, the lateral coherence length at the instrument can be adjusted by prefocusing optics. 19 Inside the scanning microscope, the beam is usually focused by a pair of crossed nanofocusing refractive x-ray lenses made of silicon 4,20 but other optics, such as Fresnel zone plates 6 and multilayer Laue lenses 5 can be used, as well. By means of x-ray fluorescence, absorption, and (coherent) scattering, this scanning microscope can image specimens with elemental, chemical, and structural contrast, respectively.…”

PtyNAMi: Ptychographic Nano-Analytical Microscope at PETRA III: interferometrically tracking positions for 3D x-ray scanning microscopy using a ball-lens retroreflector

“…20,21 Two such lenses that each focus the beam in one direction need to be aligned in crossed geometry to focus the x rays to a common focal plane (requiring a minimum of ten degrees of freedom). A pair of slits defines the entrance aperture of the optics and a pinhole behind the lenses cleans the focused beam from scattered radiation.…”

“…It was designed based on nanofocusing refractive x-ray lenses (NFLs) 20,21 and is located at about 98 m from the source. The transverse coherence length of the beam is matched to the aperture by a set of refractive x-ray lenses made of beryllium located at 43.5 m from the source.…”