Differential interference contrast X-ray microscopy with twin zone plates at ESRF beamline ID21

We describe a novel approach for converting the specimens phase information into strong image contrast in the x-ray region, the differential interference contrast x-ray microscopy (X-DIC). In the used setup, X-DIC operation was accomplished by a twin zone plate (TZP), i.e. two zone plates on both sides of the same substrate, laterally shifted by about one outermost zone width. Once a TZP has been successfully produced by means of especially developed nanofabrication processes, it is as easy to use as a single zone plate, without any alignment difficulty or further requirements to the coherence of the illumination. The tremendeous contrast enhancement was demonstrated at the microscopy beamline ID21 at ESRF in Grenoble for test objects and biological samples. TZPs allow for full field X-DIC imaging as well as for DIC scanning transmission x-ray microscopy. The first experiments were camed out at 0.31 nm wave] ength (4 keV photon energy), and features down to approx. 60 nm could be resolved in X-DIC

Recent Developments In Scanning Microscopy at Stony Brook

Abstract. Recent activities in scanning transmission x-ray microscopy at Stony Brook are outlined

Interplay of patents and trademarks as tools in economic competition

Integrated manufacturing-service systems have been receiving attention recently. The phenomenon of services-to-artifacts companies, namely those specializing in intermediate goods and complex equipment, is increasingly instrumental for long-run competitiveness in fast-changing, high-quality global markets. The debate has so far has remained largely qualitative, and the effective role and relevance of services is rather fuzzy. Against this background, this chapter brings in empirical evidence concerning the evolving business models of a variety of leading innovative manufacturing companies. For this purpose, over 50 manufacturing companies listed in the European Union (EU) research & development (R&D) investment scoreboard are analyzed in terms of patents and trademarks. In particular, trademark strategies are studied in greater depth, and they are sub-divided into goods and services marks and into high and low sophistication. Service marks are used as a supplement to patents, as the service component of industrial offerings is not covered by classic indicators of technical change. The economic data from the EU (EU Scoreboard R&D, sales, growth, employees, profits, or investment) are linked to the patent and trademark data in order to see which balance of goods and service capabilities leads to favorable economic results