The distribution of poly(acrylic acid) in a microporous polypropylene support membrane has been measured quantitatively by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). Singular value decomposition analysis of X-ray microscopy images recorded at carefully selected photon energies was used to obtain quantitative maps of the polypropylene membrane and the poly(acrylic acid) gel, the two components of this system. The sample was studied fully hydrated in order to perform the quantitative mapping when the membrane is the same as in its state of application. Optimum strategies of data acquisition for quantitative X-ray microscopy analysis of radiation sensitive materials are discussed, along with a brief comparison of this technique to alternative methods of mapping the chemical components of structured multicomponent polymeric systems.

We demonstrate the utility of resonant soft x-ray scattering in characterizing heterogeneous chemical structure at nanometer length scales in polymer films and nanostructures. Resonant enhancements near the carbon K edge bring bond specific contrast and increased sensitivity to bridge a gap between x-ray absorption contrast in chemical sensitive imaging and higher spatial resolution hard x-ray and neutron small-angle scattering. Chemical bond sensitivity is illustrated in the scattering from latex spheres of differing chemistry and size. Resonant enhancements are then shown to yield sensitivity to heterogeneity in two-phase polymer films for which hard x-ray and nondeuterated neutron scattering lack sensitivity due to low contrast.

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New x-ray radiographic systems based on large-area flat-panel technology have revolutionized our capability to produce digital x-ray images. However, these imagers are extraordinarily expensive compared to the systems they are replacing. Hence, there is a need for a low-cost digital imaging system for general applications in radiology. A novel potentially low-cost radiographic imaging system based on established technologies is proposed-the X-Ray Light Valve (XLV). This is a potentially high-quality digital x-ray detector made of a photoconducting layer and a liquid-crystal cell, physically coupled in a sandwich structure. Upon exposure to x rays, charge is collected on the surface of the photoconductor. This causes a change in the optical properties of the liquid-crystal cell and a visible image is generated. Subsequently, it is digitized by a scanned optical imager. The image formation is based on controlled modulation of light from an external source. The operation and practical implementation of the XLV system are described. The potential performance of the complete system and issues related to sensitivity, spatial resolution, noise, and speed are discussed. The feasibility of clinical use of an XLV device based on amorphous selenium (a-Se) as the photoconductor and a reflective electrically controlled birefringence cell is analyzed. The results of our analysis indicate that the XLV can potentially be adapted to a wide variety of radiographic tasks.