Title

X-ray microscopy with compact pulsed sources

Abstract

X-ray microscopy inherently possesses characteristics complementary to optical and electron microscopy. Short wavelength x-ray radiation, especially in the so-called, 'water window' (2.5 - 5 nm), permits a twenty-fold improvement in spatial resolution over optical microscopy while preserving a depth of field large enough (∼100 nm) to image whole biological specimens in their natural state. Whereas electron microscopy can access atomic-scale resolution, this can only be applied to biological and medical specimens at the expense of detrimental preparation procedures (staining, drying, fixing, sectioning, etc.) that preclude real-time analysis of structural changes in living organisms. We describe progress being made in an x-ray imaging technology that provides high-resolution (∼10 nm) single frame x-ray images of in-vitro specimens captured in a time sufficiently short that any radiation damage mechanisms to the structure are not recorded. Several different biology and medical research groups find this type of microscopy particularly well-suited to the detailed analysis of sub-cellular features, and to the study of live organisms subjected to various forms of external stimuli. This technology utilizes bright x-ray sources produced by compact pulse laser systems. The incorporation of advanced x-ray optical and electron-optical systems will lead to the development of a compact, real-time x-ray microscope, having a broad range of applications.

Publication Date

12-1-1998

Publication Title

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

Volume

3240

Number of Pages

29-35

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300073

Socpus ID

57649216332 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/57649216332

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS