Development of an Array of Compound Refractive Lenses for Sub-Pixel Resolution, Large Field of View, and Time-Saving in Scanning Hard X-ray Microscopy

A two-dimensional array of compound refractive lenses (2D array of CRLs) designed for hard X-ray imaging with a 3.5 mm$^{2}$ large field of view is presented. The array of CRLs consists of 2D polymer biconcave parabolic 34 × 34 multi-lenses fabricated via deep X-ray lithography. The developed refractive multi-lens array was applied for sub-pixel resolution scanning transmission X–ray microscopy; a raster scan with only 55 × 55 steps provides a 3.5 megapixel image. The optical element was experimentally characterized at the Diamond Light Source at 34 keV. An array of point foci with a 55 µm period and an average size of ca. 2.1 µm × 3.6 µm was achieved. In comparison with the conventional scanning transmission microscopy using one CRL, sub-pixel resolution scanning transmission hard X-ray microscopy enables a large field of view and short scanning time while keeping the high spatial resolution

Demonstration of Focusing Wolter Mirrors for Neutron Phase and Magnetic Imaging

Image-forming focusing mirrors were employed to demonstrate their applicability to two different modalities of neutron imaging, phase imaging with a far-field interferometer, and magnetic-field imaging through the manipulation of the neutron beam polarization. For the magnetic imaging, the rotation of the neutron polarization in the magnetic field was measured by placing a solenoid at the focus of the mirrors. The beam was polarized upstream of the solenoid, while the spin analyzer was situated between the solenoid and the mirrors. Such a polarized neutron microscope provides a path toward considerably improved spatial resolution in neutron imaging of magnetic materials. For the phase imaging, we show that the focusing mirrors preserve the beam coherence and the path-length differences that give rise to the far-field moiré pattern. We demonstrated that the visibility of the moiré pattern is modified by small angle scattering from a highly porous foam. This experiment demonstrates the feasibility of using Wolter optics to significantly improve the spatial resolution of the far-field interferometer. Keywords: neutron imaging; Wolter optics; polarized neutron imaging; far-field interferometerNational Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.) (Award 60NANB15D361

ToScA North America (6 – 8 June 2017, The University of Texas, Austin, TX) Program

ToScA North America will address key areas of science, including Multi-modal Imaging, Geosciences, Forensics, Increasing Contrast, Educational Outreach, Data, Materials Science and Medical and Biological Science.University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray CT Facility (UTCT); Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin; Natural History Museum (London); Royal Microscopical Society (Oxford, UK)Geological Science

Time and mechanism of nanoparticle functionalization by macromolecular ligands during pulsed laser ablation in liquids

Laser ablation of gold in liquids with nanosecond laser pulses in aqueous solutions of inorganic electrolytes and macromolecular ligands for gold nanoparticle size quenching is probed inside the laser-induced cavitation bubble by in situ X-ray multicontrast imaging with a Hartmann mask (XHI). It is found that (i) the in situ size quenching power of sodium chloride (NaCl) in comparison to the ablation in pure water can be observed by the scattering contrast from XHI already inside the cavitation bubble, while (ii) for polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a macromolecular model ligand an in situ size quenching cannot be observed. Complementary ex situ characterization confirms the overall size quenching ability of both additive types NaCl and PVP. The macromolecular ligand as well as its monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) are mainly effective for growth quenching of larger nanoparticles on later time scales, leading to the conclusion of an alternative interaction mechanism with ablated nanoparticles compared to the electrolyte NaCl, probably outside of the cavitation bubble, in the surrounding liquid phase. While monomer and polymer have similar effects on the particle properties, with the polymer being slightly more efficient, only the polymer is effective against hydrodynamic aggregation

Visualization of Brown Fat Using X-ray Dark Field Imaging

Introduction: Obesity has become a major societal issue. Many researchers are looking for ways to combat this growing epidemic. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) might be a way to help individuals overcome the challenges associated with weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, but a better understanding of BAT and how to control and utilize it is needed. BAT differs from white adipose tissue (WAT) in that BAT is rich with mitochondria and therefore is metabolically active. BAT is a source of non-shivering thermogenesis and can be activated both by cold exposure and pharmacologically. Current methods of assessing BAT activity are invasive; a noninvasive method to visualize BAT is highly desirable. X-ray interferometry may be applicable to BAT imaging. Interferometry yields three images from one acquisition: an absorption image, a dark-field (DF) image, and a phase contrast image. The absorption image represents attenuation by the material, equivalent to conventional x-ray imaging; the phase contrast image shows refraction at interfaces through which the beam travels. Small angle scatter caused by microscopic structures in the material cause the DF image; DF has potential interest for BAT visualization. This study evaluated DF imaging as a means to image BAT. The expectation was the large number of mitochondria in BAT will cause a large DF signal, and furthermore that BAT activated by cold exposure would have a different DF signal than BAT at normal conditions. Materials and Methods: Mice were kept for one week at 8°C to activate BAT; control mice were kept at 22°C. Biochemical markers were used to verify BAT activation by the cold exposure regimen. DF images of cold-exposed and control mice were assessed visually and by region-of-interest analysis to determine if activated BAT could be distinguished from tissue in the same region in control mice. Absorption images provided the identification of an intrascapular region of interest for examination in the DF images. In vivo 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT was used as an independent means to assess BAT activation. Results: Biochemical markers showed that the cold exposure regimen caused activation of intrascapular BAT as well as the beiging of inguinal WAT; only the intrascapular BAT region was investigated by DF imaging. A region between the scapula and posterior to the spine was apparent in both 8°C and 22°C mice; this region did not show substantial differences in DF signal between the two groups, however. Region of interest analysis of the SPECT images showed increased uptake in the intrascapular region for cold-exposed mice, but the increase was not substantial enough to allow direct visual observation. Conclusion: Both absorption and DF imaging were capable of contrasting BAT depots from adjacent tissue in the intrascapular region. However, no significant difference in DF signal was seen for this intrascapular BAT between the cold-exposed group and the mice kept at 22°C. This indicated that BAT activation did not result in cellular changes, such as changes in cell size or number of mitochondria, that would alter the small-angle scattering signal

Application of X-ray Grating Interferometry to Polymer/Flame Retardant Blends in Additive Manufacturing

X-ray grating interferometry is a nondestructive tool for visualizing the internal structures of samples. Image contrast can be generated from the absorption of X-rays, the change in phase of the beam and small-angle X-ray scattering (dark-field). The attenuation and differential phase data obtained complement each other to give the internal composition of a material and large-scale structural information. The dark-field signal reveals sub-pixel structural detail usually invisible to the attenuation and phase probe, with the potential to highlight size distribution detail in a fashion faster than conventional small-angle scattering techniques. This work applies X-ray grating interferometry to the study of additively manufactured polymeric objects. Additively manufactured bunnies made from single material—acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA)—were studied by grating-based X-ray interferometric two-dimensional imaging and tomography. The dark-field images detected poor adhesion in the plane perpendicular to the build plate. Curvature analysis of the sample perimeter revealed a slightly higher propensity to errors in regions of higher curvature. Incorporation of flame-retardant molecules to near-surface regions of otherwise flammable objects through the fused deposition modeling additive manufacturing technique was also explored. The anticipated advantage was efficient use of the flame retardants while keeping them away from the surface for safety. To determine heat propagation effects, two-dimensional grating-based interferometry imaging at LSU CAMD was used to study heated samples. The focus was on the dark-field signals to highlight voids and gaps arising from layer delamination or gasification of chemical components. The resulting differential phase and dark-field x images were tainted by fringes attributed to inaccuracies in the grating-step position. Attempts to correct this will be presented. Interferometric tomography was also carried out on the heated samples using the W. M. Keck interferometric system at LSU. Grating-based interferometry was also used to probe scattering structure sizes of heated samples. Comparison of the data with the conventional small-angle x-ray scattering technique, SAXS, is being pursued. The results obtained so far from the above-mentioned experimental works are presented in this document