Development of a Single-Pulse Femtosecond X-ray Imaging Technique for Samples in Liquids.

Abstract

X-ray micro-imaging is used to observe structures of materials and biological samples with high resolution by taking advantage of the short wavelength and high transmission of X-rays. In this study, we developed a high-resolution micro-imaging technique for liquid samples using a single femtosecond X-ray free-electron laser pulse. In the measurement using a focused X-ray free-electron laser, not only a sample but also sample holder itself is destroyed by high-intensity X-ray irradiation. Therefore, we developed a new high-integration solution sample holder for coherent diffraction imaging to realize efficient measurement of samples in liquid by X-ray free-electron laser. We succeeded in high-resolution imaging of nanoparticle structures in liquid using the newly developed solution sample holder at SACLA X-ray free-electron laser facility in Japan.