416 research outputs found
Progress in Three-Dimensional Coherent X-Ray Diffraction Imaging
The Fourier inversion of phased coherent diffraction patterns offers images
without the resolution and depth-of-focus limitations of lens-based tomographic
systems. We report on our recent experimental images inverted using recent
developments in phase retrieval algorithms, and summarize efforts that led to
these accomplishments. These include ab-initio reconstruction of a
two-dimensional test pattern, infinite depth of focus image of a thick object,
and its high-resolution (~10 nm resolution) three-dimensional image.
Developments on the structural imaging of low density aerogel samples are
discussed.Comment: 5 pages, X-Ray Microscopy 2005, Himeji, Japa
Cryptotomography: reconstructing 3D Fourier intensities from randomly oriented single-shot diffraction patterns
We reconstructed the 3D Fourier intensity distribution of mono-disperse
prolate nano-particles using single-shot 2D coherent diffraction patterns
collected at DESY's FLASH facility when a bright, coherent, ultrafast X-ray
pulse intercepted individual particles of random, unmeasured orientations. This
first experimental demonstration of cryptotomography extended the
Expansion-Maximization-Compression (EMC) framework to accommodate unmeasured
fluctuations in photon fluence and loss of data due to saturation or background
scatter. This work is an important step towards realizing single-shot
diffraction imaging of single biomolecules.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Three-dimensional coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of a ceramic nanofoam: determination of structural deformation mechanisms
Ultra-low 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.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 30 reference
Exact field ionization rates in the barrier suppression-regime from numerical TDSE calculations
Numerically determined ionization rates for the field ionization of atomic
hydrogen in strong and short laser pulses are presented. The laser pulse
intensity reaches the so-called "barrier suppression ionization" regime where
field ionization occurs within a few half laser cycles. Comparison of our
numerical results with analytical theories frequently used shows poor
agreement. An empirical formula for the "barrier suppression ionization"-rate
is presented. This rate reproduces very well the course of the numerically
determined ground state populations for laser pulses with different length,
shape, amplitude, and frequency.
Number(s): 32.80.RmComment: Enlarged and newly revised version, 22 pages (REVTeX) + 8 figures in
ps-format, submitted for publication to Physical Review A, WWW:
http://www.physik.tu-darmstadt.de/tqe
Femtosecond x-ray diffraction from an aerosolized beam of protein nanocrystals
We demonstrate near-atomic-resolution Bragg diffraction from aerosolized
single granulovirus crystals using an x-ray free-electron laser. The form of
the aerosol injector is nearly identical to conventional liquid-microjet
nozzles, but the x-ray-scattering background is reduced by several orders of
magnitude by the use of helium carrier gas rather than liquid. This approach
provides a route to study the weak diffuse or lattice-transform signal arising
from small crystals. The high speed of the particles is particularly well
suited to upcoming MHz-repetition-rate x-ray free-electron lasers
High-resolution ab initio three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy
Coherent X-ray diffraction microscopy is a method of imaging non-periodic
isolated objects at resolutions only limited, in principle, by the largest
scattering angles recorded. We demonstrate X-ray diffraction imaging with high
resolution in all three dimensions, as determined by a quantitative analysis of
the reconstructed volume images. These images are retrieved from the 3D
diffraction data using no a priori knowledge about the shape or composition of
the object, which has never before been demonstrated on a non-periodic object.
We also construct 2D images of thick objects with infinite depth of focus
(without loss of transverse spatial resolution). These methods can be used to
image biological and materials science samples at high resolution using X-ray
undulator radiation, and establishes the techniques to be used in
atomic-resolution ultrafast imaging at X-ray free-electron laser sources.Comment: 22 pages, 11 figures, submitte
In-situ observation of the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures with extreme spatial and temporal resolution
Irradiation of solid surfaces with intense ultrashort laser pulses represents a unique way of depositing energy into materials. It allows to realize states of extreme electronic excitation and/or very high temperature and pressure, and to drive materials close to and beyond fundamental stability limits. As a consequence, structural changes and phase transitions often occur along unusual pathways and under strongly non-equilibrium conditions. Due to the inherent multiscale nature - both temporally and spatially - of these irreversible processes their direct experimental observation requires techniques that combine high temporal resolution with the appropriate spatial resolution and the capability to obtain good quality data on a single pulse/event basis. In this respect fourth generation light sources, namely short wavelength, short pulse free electron lasers (FELs) are offering new and fascinating possibilities. As an example, this chapter will discuss the results of scattering experiments carried at the FLASH free electron laser at DESY (Hamburg, Germany), which allowed us to resolve laser-induced structure formation at surfaces on the nanometer to sub-micron length scale and in temporal regimes ranging from picoseconds to several nanoseconds with sub-picosecond resolution
Quantum Imaging with Incoherently Scattered Light from a Free-Electron Laser
The advent of accelerator-driven free-electron lasers (FEL) has opened new
avenues for high-resolution structure determination via diffraction methods
that go far beyond conventional x-ray crystallography methods. These techniques
rely on coherent scattering processes that require the maintenance of
first-order coherence of the radiation field throughout the imaging procedure.
Here we show that higher-order degrees of coherence, displayed in the intensity
correlations of incoherently scattered x-rays from an FEL, can be used to image
two-dimensional objects with a spatial resolution close to or even below the
Abbe limit. This constitutes a new approach towards structure determination
based on incoherent processes, including Compton scattering, fluorescence
emission or wavefront distortions, generally considered detrimental for imaging
applications. Our method is an extension of the landmark intensity correlation
measurements of Hanbury Brown and Twiss to higher than second-order paving the
way towards determination of structure and dynamics of matter in regimes where
coherent imaging methods have intrinsic limitations
Electronic damage in S atoms in a native protein crystal induced by an intense X-ray free-electron laser pulse
Current hard X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources can deliver doses to biological macromolecules well exceeding 1 GGy, in timescales of a few tens of femtoseconds. During the pulse, photoionization can reach the point of saturation in which certain atomic species in the sample lose most of their electrons. This electronic radiation damage causes the atomic scattering factors to change, affecting, in particular, the heavy atoms, due to their higher photoabsorption cross sections. Here, it is shown that experimental serial femtosecond crystallography data collected with an extremely bright XFEL source exhibit a reduction of the effective scattering power of the sulfur atoms in a native protein. Quantitative methods are developed to retrieve information on the effective ionization of the damaged atomic species from experimental data, and the implications of utilizing new phasing methods which can take advantage of this localized radiation damage are discussed
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