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Nanoscale X-ray imaging

Nature Photonics volume 4, pages 840–848 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

Recent years have seen significant progress in the field of soft- and hard-X-ray microscopy, both technically, through developments in source, optics and imaging methodologies, and also scientifically, through a wide range of applications. While an ever-growing community is pursuing the extensive applications of today's available X-ray tools, other groups are investigating improvements in techniques, including new optics, higher spatial resolutions, brighter compact sources and shorter-duration X-ray pulses. This Review covers recent work in the development of direct image-forming X-ray microscopy techniques and the relevant applications, including three-dimensional biological tomography, dynamical processes in magnetic nanostructures, chemical speciation studies, industrial applications related to solar cells and batteries, and studies of archaeological materials and historical works of art.

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Figure 1: Four common X-ray microscopy optics (a–d) and three common image-forming systems (e–g).
Figure 2: Materials science applications of nanoscale X-ray imaging.
Figure 3: Biological applications of nanoscale X-ray imaging.
Figure 4: Environmental applications of nanoscale X-ray imaging.
Figure 5: Archaeological and paleontological applications of microscale X-ray imaging.
Figure 6: 3D rendered images of a mouse bone.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge support from the US National Science Foundation, the Engineering Research Center for EUV Science and Technology, and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

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  1. Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, 94720, California, USA

    Anne Sakdinawat & David Attwood

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Correspondence to Anne Sakdinawat.

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Sakdinawat, A., Attwood, D. Nanoscale X-ray imaging. Nature Photon 4, 840–848 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2010.267

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