Three-dimensional coherent diffraction snapshot imaging using extreme ultraviolet radiation from a free electron laser

The possibility to obtain a three-dimensional representation of a single object with sub-μm resolution is crucial in many fields, from material science to clinical diagnostics. This is typically achieved through tomography, which combines multiple two-dimensional images of the same object captured at different orientations. However, this serial imaging method prevents single-shot acquisition in imaging experiments with free electron lasers. In the present experiment, we report on a new approach to 3D imaging using extreme-ultraviolet radiation. In this method, two EUV pulses hit simultaneously an isolated 3D object from different sides, generating independent coherent diffraction patterns, resulting in two distinct bidimensional views obtained via phase retrieval. These views are then used to obtain a 3D reconstruction using a ray tracing algorithm. This EUV stereoscopic imaging approach, similar to the natural process of binocular vision, provides sub-μm spatial resolution and single-shot capability. Moreover, ultrafast time resolution and spectroscopy can be readily implemented, and a further extension to X-ray wavelengths can be envisioned as well