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  • Review Article
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X-ray ptychography

Nature Photonics volume 12, pages 9–17 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

X-ray ptychographic microscopy combines the advantages of raster scanning X-ray microscopy with the more recently developed techniques of coherent diffraction imaging. It is limited neither by the fabricational challenges associated with X-ray optics nor by the requirements of isolated specimen preparation, and offers in principle wavelength-limited resolution, as well as stable access and solution to the phase problem. In this Review, we discuss the basic principles of X-ray ptychography and summarize the main milestones in the evolution of X-ray ptychographic microscopy and tomography over the past ten years, since its first demonstration with X-rays. We also highlight the potential for applications in the life and materials sciences, and discuss the latest advanced concepts and probable future developments.

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Fig. 1: X-ray ptychography as a combination of conventional STXM and CDI.
Fig. 2: Schematic representation of the most basic ptychography algorithm, and exemplary results from an advanced object and probe retrieval approach.
Fig. 3: Advanced X-ray ptychography concepts.
Fig. 4: Application examples (3D renderings) of results obtained by ptychographic X-ray computed tomography.
Fig. 5: Application examples of advanced X-ray ptychography concepts.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge financial support from the German Science Foundation (DFG) Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz programme, and M. Dierolf for fruitful discussions and supplying material for Fig. 2a.

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  1. Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany

    Franz Pfeiffer

  2. Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany

    Franz Pfeiffer

  3. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Franz Pfeiffer

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Pfeiffer, F. X-ray ptychography. Nature Photon 12, 9–17 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-017-0072-5

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