Zone-plate X-ray microscopy

Abstract

The scope of this article is to describe a transmission X-ray microscope, possible biological applications of soft X-ray microscopy and preliminary results.For soft X-ray microscopy of biological specimens the wavelength range of 1–10 nm is best suited. Microscopy in this wavelength range requires intense X-ray sources as well as high-resolution X-ray lenses. Intense X-radiation is provided by the synchrotron radiation of electron and positron storage rings. Suited X-ray lenses are zone plates.A theoretical treatment of the contrast mechanism and the radiation damage as well as first experiments yield the following results. Firstly, relatively thick (1–10 μm) biological specimens can be investigated. This means that unsectioned dried and even wet cells and cell organelles in a natural state can be examined. Second, it will be possible to resolve cellular aggregates in live cells with a resolution in the region of ≤10nm.

X-Ray Near-Field Holography: Beyond Idealized Assumptions of the Probe

“…The image formation follows ray optical principles. The objective lens is often implemented as a Fresnel zone plate (FZP) [34]. The resolution of FZPs is limited by the width of the outermost and smallest fabricated zone.…”

Probing nanoscale behavior of magnetic materials with soft X-ray spectromicroscopy

“…However, as the refractive index of X-rays is close to one in the soft X-ray regime, conventional lenses cannot be used. The lack of appropriate optics has prevented soft X-ray microscopes until the mid-1980s when Fresnel zone plates (FZPs), which are circular gratings with a radially increasing line density have been established as high resolution optical elements [25,26] . The fabrication of the FZP for the soft X-ray regime was enabled by the maturity of nanotechnology tools such as e-beam lithography which has then enabled the fabrication of high quality diffractive X-ray lenses.…”

Exploring nanoscale magnetism in advanced materials with polarized X-rays

“…crystal structures. In the mid 1980s it was realized that Fresnel zone plates (FZP), which are circular gratings with a radially increasing line density can be used as diffractive optics to build X-ray microscopes [94], [95] and the concurrent maturity of nanotechnological tools such as e-beam lithography has then enabled the fabrication of high quality X-ray optics, which are now readily available [96], [97] .…”