Cryptotomography: reconstructing 3D Fourier intensities from randomly oriented single-shot diffraction patterns

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Jun 4;104(22):225501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.225501. Epub 2010 Jun 2.

Abstract

We reconstructed the 3D Fourier intensity distribution of monodisperse prolate nanoparticles using single-shot 2D coherent diffraction patterns collected at DESY's FLASH facility when a bright, coherent, ultrafast x-ray pulse intercepted individual particles of random, unmeasured orientations. This first experimental demonstration of cryptotomography extended the expansion-maximization-compression framework to accommodate unmeasured fluctuations in photon fluence and loss of data due to saturation or background scatter. This work is an important step towards realizing single-shot diffraction imaging of single biomolecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Feasibility Studies
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Fourier Analysis*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Scattering, Radiation*
  • Tomography / methods*

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide