Using zone plates for X-ray microimaging and microspectroscopy in environmental science

Regulatory properties and cellular redistribution of zinc during macrophage differentiation of human leukemia cells

“…AAS and ICP-MS, while of demonstrable utility, require larger numbers of cells and allow for only crude separation of cellular components with no spatial resolution. Recent advances in lithographed zone plates have allowed for the usage of synchrotron-generated X-rays to be employed in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray detectors (Kemner et al, 1999). By measuring spectra generated from coherent focused X-rays, one can now spatially map and quantitate trace metals within cells at the single cell level at sub-ppm sensitivity.…”

“…Analytical electron microscopy can be used to study intracellular elemental distributions (Ingram et al, 1999), but is limited in its sensitivity and is most appropriate for ultrathin (<100 nm) cell sections rather than intact cells. Recent developments in zone plate optics have allowed synchrotron-generated X-rays to be focused suYciently that in situ measurement of trace metal content and its spatial distribution can now be accomplished in intact single cells by measuring endogenous metal Xuorescence (Kemner et al, 1999). Here, we report on the use of such methodology in combination with more traditional approaches to investigate the role of, and requirement for, trace metals during macrophage diVerentiation.…”

Hard X‐ray micro(spectro)scopy: A powerful tool for the geomicrobiologists

“…The combination of the high brilliance of the APS synchrotron and the use of high-resolution zone plates for focusing improves X-ray microimaging experiments substantially. Furthermore, our X-ray imaging experiments at Sector 2 of the APS have demonstrated that it is possible to map the spatial distribution of elements associated with bacteria (Kemner et al ., 1998(Kemner et al ., , 1999(Kemner et al ., , 2004Marshall et al ., 2006;Daly et al ., 2007;Glasauer et al ., 2007). We have performed numerous XRF imaging experiments of single Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria, adhered to Kapton film at ambient temperature and pressure, with 0.15-µ m resolution (Fig.…”

Coherence techniques at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths

“…The various atomic resonances are the element-specific signatures of the particular materials, and the capability of probing atomic resonances at-wavelength allows accurate element-sensitive analysis that is essential in material science [23], environmental science [24], and surface science [25]. Photoelectron spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy are the two most commonly used experimental techniques in this respect [26].…”