Single-element objective lens for soft x-ray differential interference contrast microscopy

High-resolution soft x-ray differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging was demonstrated through the use of a single-element objective, the XOR pattern, in a full-field soft x-ray microscope. DIC images of the magnetic domains in a 59 nm thick amorphous Gd25Fe75 layer were obtained and magnetic phase contributions were directly imaged. With its elemental, chemical, and magnetic specificity, compatibility with various sample environments, and ease of implementation, we expect this soft x-ray DIC technique to become one of the standard modes of operation for existing full-field soft x-ray microscopes.     

Framework for three-dimensional coherent diffraction imaging by focused beam x-ray Bragg ptychography

We present the framework for convergent beam Bragg ptychography, and, using simulations, we demonstrate that nanocrystals can be ptychographically reconstructed from highly convergent x-ray Bragg diffraction. The ptychographic iterative engine is extended to three dimensions and shown to successfully reconstruct a simulated nanocrystal using overlapping raster scans with a defocused curved beam, the diameter of which matches the crystal size. This object reconstruction strategy can serve as the basis for coherent diffraction imaging experiments at coherent scanning nanoprobe x-ray sources.     

Electromagnetic-field distribution measurements in the soft x-ray range: full characterization of a soft x-ray laser beam

We report direct measurement of the electromagnetic-field spatial distribution in a neonlike Ar capillary discharge-driven soft x-ray laser beam. The wave front was fully characterized in a single shot using a Shack-Hartmann diffractive optics sensor. The wave front was observed to be dependent on the discharge pressure and capillary length, as a result of beam refraction variations in the capillary plasma. The results predict approximately 70% of the laser beam energy can be focused into an area 4 times the size of the diffraction-limited spot, reaching intensities of approximately 4 x 10(13) W/cm(2).     

Small rare-gas clusters in soft x-ray pulses

We develop a microscopic model for the interaction of small rare-gas clusters with soft x-ray radiation from a free electron laser. It is shown that, while the overall charging of the clusters is rather low, unexpectedly high atomic charge states can arise due to charge imbalances inside the cluster. These findings are explained by an increased absorption via inverse bremsstrahlung due to high intermediate charge states and by a nonhomogenous charge distribution inside the cluster.     

Helium-like recombination pumped soft x-ray lasers

Experimental studies on recombination pumped soft x-ray lasers with helium-like ions are presented. The four-beam multi-TW neodymium-doped phosphate glass laser system at the Institute for Solid State Physics of the University of Tokyo was used in this work. From simultaneous time- and space-resolved spectra of the resonance lines of helium-like aluminium ions, population inversions between the n=3 and 2 levels were observed. Details on the first observation of amplification in a recombination-pumped helium-like soft x-ray laser, exhibiting a time-resolved small-signal gain of 3.3±0.5 cm^-1 for the 3 ¹D-2 ¹P transition of helium-like nitrogen, are also given.     

对称照明在傅里叶叠层成像中的应用

傅里叶叠层成像技术是一种全新的能够恢复出大视场下高分辨率图像的技术,而较长的采样时间限制了傅里叶叠层成像的实际应用.本文阐述了一种利用对称照明提高傅里叶叠层成像速度的方法,研究了傅里叶叠层成像在空域和频域上的对称性,指出在不考虑相位的情况下,利用对称照明可提高照明强度,减少傅里叶叠层成像所需要的图像数,同时可以提高傅里叶叠层成像图像重建的速度.实验表明使用对称照明可以在不改变算法复杂性的前提下,得到与传统傅里叶叠层成像同样的高分辨率,且所需的图像数减少约50%,采样时间减少约70%,图像重建时间减少约50%.基于对称照明的方法将促进傅里叶叠层成像技术在实时成像中的应用.     

Elemental x-ray imaging using Zernike phase contrast

We develop an element-specific x-ray microscopy method by using Zernike phase contrast imaging near absorption edges, where a real part of refractive index changes abruptly. In this method two phase contrast images are subtracted to obtain the target element: one is at the absorption edge of the target element and the other is near the absorption edge. The x-ray exposure required by this method is expected to be significantly lower than that of conventional absorption-based x-ray elemental imaging methods. Numerical calculations confirm the advantages of this highly efficient imaging method.     

Total quantum-current yield in the soft x-ray region

The emission of slow secondary electrons excited in efficient photocathodes by fast internal x-ray electrons upon absorption of x-ray photons having energies in the range 1–10 keV is analyzed. Analytical expressions are derived for the quantum current yield of the x-ray photoelectric effect for a “point” model and a “non-point” model of energy exchange of fast internal x-ray electrons. We present some estimates for its parameters in a CsI photocathode. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 1042–1046 (June 1998)     

连续太赫兹波双物距叠层定量相衬成像

针对连续太赫兹波叠层成像重建算法收敛较为迟滞的问题,提出一种连续太赫兹波双物距叠层成像方法及相关重建算法,使用不同记录距离形成的差异化衍射图幅值作为重建算法记录平面的约束条件,增加了记录平面数据多样性和衍射信息冗余度.仿真结果表明,本方法可以加快算法收敛速率,有效减少迭代次数,提高连续太赫兹波定量相衬成像计算效率.随后构建了基于2.52 THz光泵连续太赫兹激光器的双物距叠层成像实验装置,应用双物距记录方法及改进算法重建获得了聚丙烯基字母图案样品的幅值和相位分布,结果表明改进方法可以减少算法迭代次数,提升计算效率,同时改善相位像重建结果保真度.     

Simple phase extraction in x-ray differential phase contrast imaging

A fast and simple method to extract phase-contrast images from interferograms is proposed, and its effectiveness is demonstrated through simulation and experiment. For x-ray differential phase contrast imaging, a strong attenuation signal acts as an overwhelming background intensity that obscures the weak phase signal so that no obvious phase-gradient information is detectable in the raw image. By subtracting one interferogram from another, chosen at particular intervals,the phase signal can be isolated and magnified.     

Laser produced soft x-ray spectra of silver

Spectral lines corresponding to the transitions 3d¹⁰4s - 3d¹⁰np, 3d¹⁰4s² - 3d¹⁰4snp and 3d¹⁰4s²4p - 3d¹⁰4s²nd, 3d¹⁰4s²ns of Ag XIX - Ag XVII have been identified in a laser produced soft X-ray spectrum of silver by computing the transition energies with the help of a self-consistent field, Hartree-Fock-Slater code and by extrapolation of our previous observations regarding the state of ionization of the plasma in the cases of Mg, Al, Fe and Cu.     

Ion-implanted target for soft x-ray laser investigations

Ion-implantation has been used to make a target suitable for the investigation of soft X-ray laser action via resonant photo-pumping. Neon was implanted on one side of a thin aluminum foil and sodium fluoride was coated on the other side. A 100 picosecond laser pulse at 2 × 10¹⁴ W cm^-2was used to irradiate the neon side, and 330 ps later the sodium fluoride side was irradiated with a similar pulse. X-ray spectroscopy was used to measure the state of ionisation of the neon, and the inferred electron temperature was compared with a one-dimensional computer simulation. The spectral brightness of the pumping radiation was also estimated.     

Thermomodulated exafs of soft x-ray absorption edges

Thermotransmission measurements exhibit structure for over 100 eV above the L_2,3 edge in Al and the M_2,3 edge in Ni, structure attributed to the temperature modulation of EXAFS. It appears to arise from both thermal expansion and a Debye-Waller factor.     

Angular distribution of photoelectrons in the soft x-ray region

The angular distribution of photoelectrons ejected from the 2p shell in neon was investigated, for the first time, in the soft x-ray region, using a do     

Single-order soft x-ray spectra with spectroscopic photon sieve

A single-order diffraction transmission grating named spectroscopic photon sieve(SPS) for soft x-ray region is proposed and demonstrated in this paper. The SPS consists of many circular pinholes located randomly, and can realize both free-standing diffractions and the suppression of higher-order differations. In this paper, the basic concept, numerical simulations, and calibration results of a 1000-lines/mm SPS for soft x-ray synchrotron radiation are presented. As predicted by theoretical calculations, the calibration results of a 1000-lines/mm SPS verify that the higher-order diffractions can be significantly suppressed along the symmetry axis. With the current nanofabrication technique, the SPS can potentially have a higher line density, and can be widely used in synchrotron radiation, laser-induced plasma diagnostics, and astrophysics.     

Nanometer-scale ablation with a table-top soft x-ray laser

Ablation of holes with diameters as small as 82 nm and very clean walls was obtained in poly(methyl methacrylate) focusing pulses from a Ne-like Ar 46.9 nm compact capillary-discharge laser with a freestanding Fresnel zone plate diffracting into third order. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using focused soft x-ray laser beams for the direct nanoscale patterning of materials and the development of new nanoprobes.     

Single-pulse coherent diffraction imaging using soft x-ray laser

We report a coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) using a single 8 ps soft x-ray laser pulse at a wavelength of 13.9 nm. The soft x-ray pulse was generated by a laboratory-scale intense pumping laser providing coherent x-ray pulses up to the level of 10(11) photons/pulse. A spatial resolution below 194 nm was achieved with a single pulse, and it was shown that a resolution below 55 nm is feasible with improved detector capability. The single-pulse CDI might provide a way to investigate dynamics of nanoscale molecules or particles.     

硬x射线同轴相衬成像的相位恢复

基于角谱的概念，分析了硬x射线同轴相衬成像过程，在传统相位恢复算法GS算法的基础上 ，提出了基于角谱传播的相位恢复算法——迭代角谱法（IASA），并利用数值法模拟研究了 相衬成像和相位恢复过程，从理论上验证了这一相位恢复算法. 关键词： 相位恢复 相位衬度 角谱 硬x射线