High-contrast chemical imaging with gated heterodyne coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

A novel method is presented which substantially improves the signal-to-background ratio for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. It exploits the fixed phase relation between pump, Stokes and CARS fields together with the strong phase coherence in supercontinua generated by femtosecond lasers. Three phase-locked optical parametric amplifiers are used for the realisation of heterodyne signal detection. Proper pulse timing yields a gating mechanism which nearly completely suppresses solvent background signals. PACS 42.65.Dr; 42.65.Hw; 42.65.Yj     

Crystal optics as guard apertures for coherent x-ray diffraction imaging

A crucial issue in coherent x-ray diffraction imaging experiments is how to increase the signal-to-noise ratio when measuring relatively weak diffraction intensities from a nonperiodic object. A novel crystal guard aperture is described that makes use of a pair of multiple-bounce crystal optics to eliminate unwanted parasitic scattering background. This background is often produced by upstream optical elements such as a coherent-beam defining aperture. Recent experimental observation and theoretical analysis confirm the effectiveness of the crystal guard aperture method with coherence-preserved wave propagation through the crystal guard aperture and dramatically reduced scattering background in coherent x-ray diffraction images.     

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.     

基于菲涅耳衍射的无透镜相干衍射成像

相干衍射成像是一种新型的无透镜成像技术,在光学测量、显微成像和自适应光学等领域有重要应用．本文提出一种基于单幅菲涅耳衍射强度图样的无透镜相干衍射成像方法;该方法采用特殊设计的卷积可解阵列抽样屏,通过对抽样物波的菲涅耳衍射强度图样进行非迭代的逆菲涅耳变换和滤波等数字处理实现被测物波复振幅信息的恢复,最后通过数字衍射得到物体的数字再现像．文中对抽样孔径、衍射距离、图像传感器尺寸等参数对再现像的影响进行了理论分析和模拟实验研究．发现在针孔大小和记录孔径大小一定的条件下,存在一个最佳的衍射距离;衍射距离过大会给重建图样带来噪声,衍射距离过小则会使再现象的分辨率降低．文中还对抽样针孔大小对系统成像分辨率的影响进行了分析,为进一步开展相关实验研究和应用提供了理论依据．     

基于平行平晶的三步相干衍射成像系统

传统单光束多强度重建(SBMIR)系统中,多次平移图像传感器所积累的误差导致光电成像系统的成像效果及有效分辨率降低,为了解决这一问题。本文提出基于平行平晶的三步相干衍射成像系统,采取插入或抽取2块平行平晶的方法获取3个不同的衍射面,实现了对复振幅型物体的成像及恢复重建。数值模拟及实验表明,系统有效克服了SBMIR系统中数次平移的误差积累问题,且仅需记录3个衍射面,避免过采样。而且光学系统实现简便、可重复性高。     

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.     

High-contrast coherent population trapping resonances using four-wave mixing in 87Rb

We demonstrate very high-contrast coherent population trapping(1) (CPT) resonances by using four-wave mixing in (87)Rb atoms. In the experiment, we take advantage of the spectral overlap between F=2-->F(?) and F=3-->F(?) optical resonances on the D1 line of (87)Rb and (85)Rb atoms, respectively, to eliminate the DC-light background from the CPT resonance signal. We observe a CPT resonance with a contrast in the range of 90%, compared with a few percent achieved by alternative methods.     

上海光源硬X射线相干衍射成像实验方法初探

相干X射线衍射成像方法是一种先进的成像技术,分辨率可达纳米量级.国际上大多数的同步辐射装置和自由电子激光装置都建立了该成像方法,并有将其作为主要成像技术的趋势.上海光源作为目前国内唯一的一台第三代同步辐射光源,尚未建立基于硬X射线的相干衍射成像实验平台.随着一批以波荡器为光源的光束线站投入使用,使得该方法的建立成为了可能.本文基于上海光源BL19U2生物小角散射线站,通过有效的光路设计,搭建了相干衍射实验平台,在12 keV和13.5 keV能量点均获得了硬X射线相干光束,并基于小孔衍射测量了入射光束的空间相干长度.该平台支持常规和扫描相干衍射实验模式,对小孔衍射图样及波带片扫描衍射图样实现了正确的相位重建,证明了该平台初步具备开展硬X射线相干衍射成像实验的能力.硬X射线相干衍射成像实验平台为国内首次建立,将为国内该实验方法的发展和应用提供有效的软硬件支持.     

Three-dimensional coherent diffraction imaging of Mie-scattering spheres by laser single-orientation measurement

Three-dimensional imaging with single orientation is a potential and novel technique. We successfully demonstrate that three-dimensional(3D) structure can be determined by a single orientation diffraction measurement for a phase object of double-layer Mie-scattering silica spheres on a Si3N4 membrane. Coherent diffraction pattern at high numerical aperture was acquired with an optical laser, and the oversampled pattern was projected from a planar detector onto the Ewald sphere.The double-layered spheres are reconstructed from the spherical diffraction pattern and a 2D curvature-corrected pattern,which improve convergence speed and stability of reconstruction.     

Phase retrieval and coherent diffraction imaging by a linear scanning pinhole sampling array

We propose a new method for phase retrieval and coherent diffraction imaging by a specially designed pinhole sampling array (PSA) based on a liquid crystal spatial light modulation. We demonstrate that the phase and the amplitude of the wave front passing through a pinhole sampling array plate can be directly extracted from the inverse Fourier transform of the far-field diffraction intensity pattern. Scanning the whole surface of the wave front by such a series of the PSA plates, we can assemble the extracted complex amplitude to a two-dimensional discrete distribution of the sampled wave front covering the entire PSA plate plane in the scanning consequence. We called it linear scanning pinhole sampling array (LSPSA). Thus the wave front can be reconstructed which avoids any iterative algorithms. Furthermore, it provides a feasible approach for lensless coherent diffraction imaging in real-time.     

Gaussian beam diffraction in weakly anisotropic inhomogeneous media

Combination of quasi-isotropic approximation (QIA) of geometric optics with paraxial complex geometric optics (PCGO) is suggested, which allows describing both diffraction and polarization evolution of Gaussian electromagnetic beams in weakly anisotropic inhomogeneous media. Combination QIA/PCGO reduces Maxwell equations to the system of the ordinary differential equations of the first order and radically simplifies solution of various problems, related to microwave plasma diagnostics, including plasma polarimetry, interferometry and refractometry in thermonuclear reactors. Efficiency of the method is demonstrated by the example of electromagnetic beam diffraction in a linear layer of magnetized plasma with parameters, modeling tokamak plasma in the project ITER.     

Redundancy modulation for coherent imaging systems

In order to image continuous-tone transparencies with coherent light, special types of diffuse speckle-free illumination are required to achieve high image quality. Several types of speckle-free modulation have been investigated which appear to provide high redundancy for such systems.     

Dynamic sample imaging in coherent diffractive imaging

As the resolution in coherent diffractive imaging improves, interexposure and intraexposure sample dynamics, such as motion, degrade the quality of the reconstructed image. Selecting data sets that include only exposures where tolerably little motion has occurred is an inefficient use of time and flux, especially when detector readout time is significant. We provide an experimental demonstration of an approach in which all images of a data set exhibiting sample motion are combined to improve the quality of a reconstruction. This approach is applicable to more general sample dynamics (including sample damage) that occur during measurement.     

Novel silica stabilization method for the analysis of fine nanocrystals using coherent X‐ray diffraction imaging

High‐energy X‐ray Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) is a well established synchrotron‐based technique used to quantitatively reconstruct the three‐dimensional morphology and strain distribution in nanocrystals. The BCDI technique has become a powerful analytical tool for quantitative investigations of nanocrystals, nanotubes, nanorods and more recently biological systems. BCDI has however typically failed for fine nanocrystals in sub‐100 nm size regimes – a size routinely achievable by chemical synthesis – despite the spatial resolution of the BCDI technique being 20–30 nm. The limitations of this technique arise from the movement of nanocrystals under illumination by the highly coherent beam, which prevents full diffraction data sets from being acquired. A solution is provided here to overcome this problem and extend the size limit of the BCDI technique, through the design of a novel stabilization method by embedding the fine nanocrystals into a silica matrix. Chemically synthesized FePt nanocrystals of maximum dimension 20 nm and AuPd nanocrystals in the size range 60–65 nm were investigated with BCDI measurement at beamline 34‐ID‐C of the APS, Argonne National Laboratory. Novel experimental methodologies to elucidate the presence of strain in fine nanocrystals are a necessary pre‐requisite in order to better understand strain profiles in engineered nanocrystals for novel device development.     

Three-dimensional coherent x-ray diffraction imaging of a ceramic nanofoam: determination of structural deformation mechanisms

Ultralow density polymers, metals, and ceramic nanofoams are valued for their high strength-to-weight ratio, high surface area, and insulating properties ascribed to their structural geometry. We obtain the labrynthine internal structure of a tantalum oxide nanofoam by x-ray diffractive imaging. Finite-element analysis from the structure reveals mechanical properties consistent with bulk samples and with a diffusion-limited cluster aggregation model, while excess mass on the nodes discounts the dangling fragments hypothesis of percolation theory.     

Utilizing broadband X‐rays in a Bragg coherent X‐ray diffraction imaging experiment

A method is presented to simplify Bragg coherent X‐ray diffraction imaging studies of complex heterogeneous crystalline materials with a two‐stage screening/imaging process that utilizes polychromatic and monochromatic coherent X‐rays and is compatible with in situ sample environments. Coherent white‐beam diffraction is used to identify an individual crystal particle or grain that displays desired properties within a larger population. A three‐dimensional reciprocal‐space map suitable for diffraction imaging is then measured for the Bragg peak of interest using a monochromatic beam energy scan that requires no sample motion, thus simplifying in situ chamber design. This approach was demonstrated with Au nanoparticles and will enable, for example, individual grains in a polycrystalline material of specific orientation to be selected, then imaged in three dimensions while under load.     

Power-excitation diffraction tomography with partially coherent light

Some consequences of using partially coherent fields in the recently proposed method of power-extinction diffraction tomography are analyzed. It is found that the method is very tolerant of short spectral coherence lengths. The spectral coherence length of the field is shown to set the scale of a low-pass filter that acts on the subject. The implications of these results for implementation of the method are discussed.     

高重复频率相干衍射辐射超宽谱太赫兹源

研究了一种新型相干衍射辐射（CDR）太赫兹源,该太赫兹源基于中国工程物理研究院自由电子激光相干强太赫兹源（FEL-THz）的加速器电子束束流,具有MHz量级重复频率。理论分析、数值计算和PIC模拟证明了此太赫兹源时间长度可达到ps量级,中心频率在100~400 GHz可调,截止频率位于1~2 THz,脉冲峰值功率可达10 kW量级,平均功率可达到W量级,并且功率随束流流强成平方正比关系。