Toward time-resolved soft X-ray microscopy using pulsed fs-high-harmonic radiation

Ultramicroscopy. 2005 Jan;102(2):93-100. doi: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2004.09.001.

Abstract

Coherent soft X-ray sources open the way to new capabilities in high-resolution imaging, site- and element-specific spectroscopy and biomicroscopy. In this paper we demonstrate imaging with a table-top soft X-ray microscope. By combining a laser driven high-harmonic light source, optimized for having the maximum brightness at around 100 eV, a pair of multilayer mirrors to select a narrow spectral band and acting simultaneously as a condenser and a Fresnel zone plate as microscope objective, we were able to resolve 200 nm structures of a diatom sample. Further, the pulsed nature of our X-ray source offers the possibility of time-resolved spectromicroscopy with a temporal resolution in the order of a few femtoseconds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diagnostic Imaging / instrumentation*
  • Diatoms / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy / instrumentation*
  • Optics and Photonics
  • X-Rays