ID16B: a hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the ESRF for nano-analysis

Combination of XEOL, TR-XEOL and HB-T interferometer at the TPS 23A X-ray nanoprobe for exploring quantum materials

In this study, a combination of X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL), time-resolved XEOL (TR-XEOL) and the Hanbury-Brown and Twiss (HB-T) interferometer at the Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) 23A X-ray nanoprobe beamline for exploring quantum materials is demonstrated. On the basis of the excellent spatial resolution rendered using a nano-focused beam, emission distributions of artificial micro-diamonds can be obtained by XEOL maps, and featured emission peaks of a selected local area can be obtained by XEOL spectra. The hybrid bunch mode of the TPS not only provides a sufficiently high peak power density for experiments at each beamline but also permits high-quality temporal domain (∼200 ns) measurements for investigating luminescence dynamics. From TR-XEOL measurements, the decay lifetime of micro-diamonds is determined to be approximately 16 ns. Furthermore, the XEOL spectra of artificial micro-diamonds can be investigated by the HB-T interferometer to identify properties of single-photon sources. The unprecedented strategy of combining XEOL, TR-XEOL and the HB-T interferometer at the X-ray nanoprobe beamline will open new avenues with significant characterization abilities for unraveling the emission mechanisms of single-photon sources for quantum materials.

Visualizing the Structure, Composition and Activity of Single Catalyst Particles for Olefin Polymerization and Polyolefin Decomposition

The structural and morphological characterization of individual catalyst particles for olefin polymerization, as well as for the reverse process of polyolefin decomposition, can provide an improved understanding for how these catalyst materials operate under relevant reaction conditions. In this review, we discuss an emerging analytical toolbox of 2D and 3D chemical imaging techniques that is suitable for investigating the chemistry and reactivity of related catalyst systems. While synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy still provides unparalleled spatial resolutions in 2D and 3D, a number of laboratory-based techniques, most notably focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy, infrared photoinduced force microscopy and laboratory-based X-ray nano-computed tomography, have helped to significantly expand the arsenal of analytical tools available to scientists in heterogeneous catalysis and polymer science. In terms of future research, the review outlines the role and impact of in situ and operando (spectro-)microscopy experiments, involving sophisticated reactors as well as online reactant and product analysis, to obtain real-time information on the formation, decomposition, and mobility of polymer phases within single catalyst particles. Furthermore, the potential of fluorescence microscopy, X-ray microscopy and optical microscopy is highlighted for the high-throughput characterization of olefin polymerization and polyolefin decomposition catalysts. By combining these chemical imaging techniques with, for example, chemical staining methodologies, selective probe molecules as well as particle sorting approaches, representative structure-activity relationships can be derived at the level of single catalyst particles.

Deep learning to overcome Zernike phase-contrast nanoCT artifacts for automated micro-nano porosity segmentation in bone

Bone material contains a hierarchical network of micro- and nano-cavities and channels, known as the lacuna-canalicular network (LCN), that is thought to play an important role in mechanobiology and turnover. The LCN comprises micrometer-sized lacunae, voids that house osteocytes, and submicrometer-sized canaliculi that connect bone cells. Characterization of this network in three dimensions is crucial for many bone studies. To quantify X-ray Zernike phase-contrast nanotomography data, deep learning is used to isolate and assess porosity in artifact-laden tomographies of zebrafish bones. A technical solution is proposed to overcome the halo and shade-off domains in order to reliably obtain the distribution and morphology of the LCN in the tomographic data. Convolutional neural network (CNN) models are utilized with increasing numbers of images, repeatedly validated by `error loss' and `accuracy' metrics. U-Net and Sensor3D CNN models were trained on data obtained from two different synchrotron Zernike phase-contrast transmission X-ray microscopes, the ANATOMIX beamline at SOLEIL (Paris, France) and the P05 beamline at PETRA III (Hamburg, Germany). The Sensor3D CNN model with a smaller batch size of 32 and a training data size of 70 images showed the best performance (accuracy 0.983 and error loss 0.032). The analysis procedures, validated by comparison with human-identified ground-truth images, correctly identified the voids within the bone matrix. This proposed approach may have further application to classify structures in volumetric images that contain non-linear artifacts that degrade image quality and hinder feature identification.

Cortajarena A, Parak WJ, Sanchez-Cano C. Probing the Cellular Fate of the Protein Corona around Nanoparticles with Nanofocused X-ray Fluorescence Imaging

X-ray fluorescence imaging (XRF-imaging) with subcellular resolution is used to study the intracellular integrity of a protein corona that was pre-formed around gold nanoparticles (AuNP). Artificial proteins engineered to obtain Gd coordination for detection by XRF-imaging were used to form the corona. Indications about the degradation of this protein corona at a cellular and subcellular level can be observed by following the Au and Gd quantities in a time and spatial-dependent manner. The extended acquisition times necessary for capturing individual XRF-imaging cell images result in relatively small sample populations, stressing the need for faster image acquisition strategies in future XRF-imaging-based studies to deal with the inherent variability between cells. Still, results obtained reveal degradation of the protein corona during cellular trafficking, followed by differential cellular processing for AuNP and Gd-labelled proteins. Overall, this demonstrates that the dynamic degradation of the protein corona can be tracked by XRF-imaging to a certain degree.

Imaging Voids and Defects Inside Li-Ion Cathode LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 Single Crystals

Li-ion battery cathode active materials obtained from different sources or preparation methods often exhibit broadly divergent performance and stability despite no obvious differences in morphology, purity, and crystallinity. We show how state-of-the-art, commercial, nominally single crystalline LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC-622) particles possess extensive internal nanostructure even in the pristine state. Scanning X-ray diffraction microscopy reveals the presence of interlayer strain gradients, and crystal bending is attributed to oxygen vacancies. Phase contrast X-ray nano-tomography reveals two different kinds of particles, welded/aggregated, and single crystal like, and emphasizes the intra- and interparticle heterogeneities from the nano- to the microscale. It also detects within the imaging resolution (100 nm) substantial quantities of nanovoids hidden inside the bulk of two-thirds of the overall studied particles (around 3000), with an average value of 12.5%v per particle and a mean size of 148 nm. The powerful combination of both techniques helps prescreening and quantifying the defective nature of cathode material and thus anticipating their performance in electrode assembly/battery testing.

Unraveling the synergistic effects of Cu-Ag tandem catalysts during electrochemical CO2 reduction using nanofocused X-ray probes

Controlling the selectivity of the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals continues to be a major challenge. Bulk and surface lattice strain in nanostructured electrocatalysts affect catalytic activity and selectivity. Here, we unravel the complex dynamics of synergistic lattice strain and stability effects of Cu-Ag tandem catalysts through a previously unexplored combination of in situ nanofocused X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging. Three-dimensional strain maps reveal the lattice dynamics inside individual nanoparticles as a function of applied potential and product yields. Dynamic relations between strain, redox state, catalytic activity and selectivity are derived. Moderate Ag contents effectively reduce the competing evolution of H2 and, concomitantly, lead to an enhanced corrosion stability. Findings from this study evidence the power of advanced nanofocused spectroscopy techniques to provide new insights into the chemistry and structure of nanostructured catalysts.

ID22 - the high-resolution powder-diffraction beamline at ESRF

Following Phase 2 of the upgrade of the ESRF in which the storage ring was replaced by a new low-emittance ring along with many other facility upgrades, the status of ID22, the high-resolution powder-diffraction beamline, is described. The beamline has an in-vacuum undulator as source providing X-rays in the range 6-75 keV. ID22's principle characteristics include very high angular resolution as a result of the highly collimated and monochromatic beam, coupled with a 13-channel Si 111 multi-analyser stage between the sample and a Dectris Eiger2 X 2M-W CdTe pixel detector. The detector's axial resolution allows recorded 2θ values to be automatically corrected for the effects of axial divergence, resulting in narrower and more-symmetric peaks compared with the previous fixed-axial-slit arrangement. The axial acceptance can also be increased with increasing diffraction angle, thus simultaneously improving the statistical quality of high-angle data. A complementary Perkin Elmer XRD1611 medical-imaging detector is available for faster, lower-resolution data, often used at photon energies of 60-70 keV for pair-distribution function analysis, although this is also possible in high-resolution mode by scanning up to 120° 2θ at 35 keV. There are various sample environments, allowing sample temperatures from 4 K to 1600°C, a capillary cell for non-corrosive gas atmospheres in the range 0-100 bar, and a sample-changing robot that can accommodate 75 capillary samples compatible with the temperature range 80 K to 950°C.

X-ray Tomography Applied to Electrochemical Devices and Electrocatalysis

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a nondestructive three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique used for studying morphological properties of porous and nonporous materials. In the field of electrocatalysis, X-ray CT is mainly used to quantify the morphology of electrodes and extract information such as porosity, tortuosity, pore-size distribution, and other relevant properties. For electrochemical systems such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and redox flow batteries, X-ray CT gives the ability to study evolution of critical features of interest in ex situ, in situ, and operando environments. These include catalyst degradation, interface evolution under real conditions, formation of new phases (water and oxygen), and dynamics of transport processes. These studies enable more efficient device and electrode designs that will ultimately contribute to widespread decarbonization efforts.

Quantitative elemental imaging in eukaryotic algae

All organisms, fundamentally, are made from the same raw material, namely the elements of the periodic table. Biochemical diversity is achieved by how these elements are utilized, for what purpose, and in which physical location. Determining elemental distributions, especially those of trace elements that facilitate metabolism as cofactors in the active centers of essential enzymes, can determine the state of metabolism, the nutritional status, or the developmental stage of an organism. Photosynthetic eukaryotes, especially algae, are excellent subjects for quantitative analysis of elemental distribution. These microbes utilize unique metabolic pathways that require various trace nutrients at their core to enable their operation. Photosynthetic microbes also have important environmental roles as primary producers in habitats with limited nutrient supplies or toxin contaminations. Accordingly, photosynthetic eukaryotes are of great interest for biotechnological exploitation, carbon sequestration, and bioremediation, with many of the applications involving various trace elements and consequently affecting their quota and intracellular distribution. A number of diverse applications were developed for elemental imaging, allowing subcellular resolution, with X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM, XRF) being at the forefront, enabling quantitative descriptions of intact cells in a non-destructive method. This Tutorial Review summarizes the workflow of a quantitative, single-cell elemental distribution analysis of a eukaryotic alga using XFM.

Superior Thermoelectric Performance of SiGe Nanowires Epitaxially Integrated into Thermal Micro-Harvesters

Semiconductor nanowires have demonstrated fascinating properties with applications in a wide range of fields, including energy and information technologies. Particularly, increasing attention has focused on SiGe nanowires for applications in a thermoelectric generation. In this work, a bottom-up vapour-liquid-solid chemical vapour Deposition methodology is employed to integrate heavily boron-doped SiGe nanowires on thermoelectric generators. Thermoelectrical properties -, i.e., electrical and thermal conductivities and Seebeck coefficient - of grown nanowires are fully characterized at temperatures ranging from 300 to 600 K, allowing the complete determination of the Figure-of-merit, zT, with obtained values of 0.4 at 600 K for optimally doped nanowires. A correlation between doping level, thermoelectric performance, and elemental distribution is established employing advanced elemental mapping (synchrotron-based nano-X-ray fluorescence). Moreover, the operation of p-doped SiGe NWs integrated into silicon micromachined thermoelectrical generators is shown over standalone and series- and parallel-connected arrays. Maximum open circuit voltage of 13.8 mV and power output as high as 15.6 µW cm^-2 are reached in series and parallel configurations, respectively, operating upon thermal gradients generated with hot sources at 200 °C and air flows of 1.5 m s^-1 . These results pave the way for direct application of SiGe nanowire-based micro-thermoelectric generators in the field of the Internet of Things.

Hierarchically guided in situ nanolaminography for the visualisation of damage nucleation in alloy sheets

Hierarchical guidance is developed for three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale X-ray imaging, enabling identification, refinement, and tracking of regions of interest (ROIs) within specimens considerably exceeding the field of view. This opens up new possibilities for in situ investigations. Experimentally, the approach takes advantage of rapid multiscale measurements based on magnified projection microscopy featuring continuous zoom capabilities. Immediate and continuous feedback on the subsequent experimental progress is enabled by suitable on-the-fly data processing. For this, by theoretical justification and experimental validation, so-called quasi-particle phase-retrieval is generalised to conical-beam conditions, being key for sufficiently fast computation without significant loss of imaging quality and resolution compared to common approaches for holographic microscopy. Exploiting 3D laminography, particularly suited for imaging of ROIs in laterally extended plate-like samples, the potential of hierarchical guidance is demonstrated by the in situ investigation of damage nucleation inside alloy sheets under engineering-relevant boundary conditions, providing novel insight into the nanoscale morphological development of void and particle clusters under mechanical load. Combined with digital volume correlation, we study deformation kinematics with unprecedented spatial resolution. Correlation of mesoscale (i.e. strain fields) and nanoscale (i.e. particle cracking) evolution opens new routes for the understanding of damage nucleation within sheet materials with application-relevant dimensions.

The development and use of metal-based probes for X-ray fluorescence microscopy

X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) has become a widely used technique for imaging the concentration and distribution of metal ions in cells and tissues. Recent advances in synchrotron sources, optics, and detectors have improved the spatial resolution of the technique to <10 nm with attogram detection sensitivity. However, to make XFM most beneficial for bioimaging-especially at the nanoscale-the metal ion distribution must be visualized within the subcellular context of the cell. Over the years, a number of approaches have been taken to develop X-ray-sensitive tags that permit the visualization of specific organelles or proteins using XFM. In this review, we examine the types of X-ray fluorophore used, including nanomaterials and metal ions, and the approaches used to incorporate the metal into their target binding site via antibodies, genetically encoded metal-binding peptides, affinity labeling, or cell-specific peptides. We evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, review the scientific findings, and discuss the needs for future development.

Spatially Resolved Dynamics of Cobalt Color Centers in ZnO Nanowires

The dynamics of color centers, being a promising quantum technology, is strongly dependent on the local environment. A synergistic approach of X-ray fluorescence analysis and X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) using a hard X-ray nanoprobe is applied. The simultaneous acquisition provides insights into compositional and functional variations at the nanoscale demonstrating the extraordinary capabilities of these combined techniques. The findings on cobalt doped zinc oxide nanowires show an anticorrelation between the band edge emission of the zinc oxide host and the intra-3d cobalt luminescence, indicating two competing recombination paths. Moreover, time-resolved XEOL measurements reveal two exponential decays of the cobalt luminescence. The fast and newly observed one can be attributed to a recombination cascade within the cobalt atom, resulting from direct excitation. Thus, this opens a new fast timescale for potential devices based on cobalt color centers in ZnO nanowires in photonic circuits.

Complete alignment of a KB-mirror system guided by ptychography

We demonstrate how the individual mirrors of a high-quality Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) mirror system can be aligned to each other to create an optimally focused beam, through minimizing aberrations in the phase of the ptychographically reconstructed pupil function. Different sources of misalignment and the distinctive phase artifacts they create are presented via experimental results from the alignment of the KB mirrors at the NanoMAX diffraction endstation. The catalog of aberration artifacts can be used to easily identify which parameter requires further tuning in the alignment of any KB mirror system.

A new Kirkpatrick-Baez-based scanning microscope for the Submicron Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy (SRX) beamline at NSLS-II

The development, construction, and first commissioning results of a new scanning microscope installed at the 5-ID Submicron Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy (SRX) beamline at NSLS-II are reported. The developed system utilizes Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors for X-ray focusing. The instrument is designed to enable spectromicroscopy measurements in 2D and 3D with sub-200 nm spatial resolution. The present paper focuses on the design aspects, optical considerations, and specifics of the sample scanning stage, summarizing some of the initial commissioning results.

Observation of water droplets in microporous layers for polymer electrolyte fuel cells by X-ray computed nano-tomography

An X-ray computed nano-tomography (nano-CT) system has been established at the BL33XU beamline of SPring-8. The optical system consists of pseudo-Köhler illumination with a sector condenser zone plate, an apodization Fresnel zone plate as the objective lens, and a Zernike phase plate. The imaging detector is a fiber-coupling type X-ray camera. The performance of the X-ray nano-CT system was confirmed by imaging an X-ray test chart. The system was subsequently applied to the observation of a microporous layer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a simulated microporous layer including liquid water. The nano-CT system, which can perform a computed tomography measurement in less than 4 min, allowed visualization of a spherical water droplet produced in the microporous layer. In the present study, the shape of water droplets in a nanoscale porous structure is investigated.

Traceable Characterization of Nanomaterials by X-ray Spectrometry Using Calibrated Instrumentation

Traceable characterization methods allow for the accurate correlation of the functionality or toxicity of nanomaterials with their underlaying chemical, structural or physical material properties. These correlations are required for the directed development of nanomaterials to reach target functionalities such as conversion efficiencies or selective sensitivities. The reliable characterization of nanomaterials requires techniques that often need to be adapted to the nano-scaled dimensions of the samples with respect to both the spatial dimensions of the probe and the instrumental or experimental discrimination capability. The traceability of analytical methods revealing information on chemical material properties relies on reference materials or qualified calibration samples, the spatial elemental distributions of which must be very similar to the nanomaterial of interest. At the nanoscale, however, only few well-known reference materials exist. An alternate route to establish the required traceability lays in the physical calibration of the analytical instrument’s response behavior and efficiency in conjunction with a good knowledge of the various interaction probabilities. For the elemental analysis, speciation, and coordination of nanomaterials, such a physical traceability can be achieved with X-ray spectrometry. This requires the radiometric calibration of energy- and wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometers, as well as the reliable determination of atomic X-ray fundamental parameters using such instrumentation. In different operational configurations, the information depths, discrimination capability, and sensitivity of X-ray spectrometry can be considerably modified while preserving its traceability, allowing for the characterization of surface contamination as well as interfacial thin layer and nanoparticle chemical compositions. Furthermore, time-resolved and hybrid approaches provide access to analytical information under operando conditions or reveal dimensional information, such as elemental or species depth profiles of nanomaterials. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the absolute quantification capabilities of SI-traceable X-ray spectrometry based upon calibrated instrumentation and knowledge about X-ray interaction probabilities.

Wicking in Porous Polymeric Membranes: Determination of an Effective Capillary Radius to Predict the Flow Behavior in Lateral Flow Assays

The working principle of lateral flow assays, such as the widely used COVID-19 rapid tests, is based on the capillary-driven liquid transport of a sample fluid to a test line using porous polymeric membranes as the conductive medium. In order to predict this wicking process by simplified analytical models, it is essential to determine an effective capillary radius for the highly porous and open-pored membranes. In this work, a parametric study is performed with selected simplified structures, representing the complex microstructure of the membrane. For this, a phase-field approach with a special wetting boundary condition to describe the meniscus formation and the corresponding mean surface curvature for each structure setup is used. As a main result, an analytical correlation between geometric structure parameters and an effective capillary radius, based on a correction factor, are obtained. The resulting correlation is verified by applying image analysis methods on reconstructed computer tomography scans of two different porous polymeric membranes and thus determining the geometric structure parameters. Subsequently, a macroscale flow model that includes the correlated effective pore size and geometrical capillary radius is applied, and the results are compared with wicking experiments. Based on the derived correction function, it is shown that the analytical prediction of the wicking process in highly porous polymeric membranes is possible without the fitting of experimental wicking data. Furthermore, it can be seen that the estimated effective pore radius of the two membranes is 8 to 10 times higher than their geometric mean pore radii.

Synchrotron-based characterization of arthroprosthetic CoCrMo particles in human bone marrow

Particles released from cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys are considered common elicitors of chronic inflammatory adverse effects. There is a lack of data demonstrating particle numbers, size distribution and elemental composition of bone marrow resident particles which would allow for implementation of clinically relevant test strategies in bone marrow models at different degrees of exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate metal particle exposure in human periprosthetic bone marrow of three types of arthroplasty implants. Periprosthetic bone marrow sections from eight patients exposed to CoCrMo particles were analyzed via spatially resolved and synchrotron-based nanoscopic X-ray fluorescence imaging. These analyses revealed lognormal particle size distribution patterns predominantly towards the nanoscale. Analyses of particle numbers and normalization to bone marrow volume and bone marrow cell number indicated particle concentrations of up to 1 × 10¹¹ particles/ml bone marrow or 2 × 10⁴ particles/bone marrow cell, respectively. Analyses of elemental ratios of CoCrMo particles showed that particularly the particles' Co content depends on particle size. The obtained data point towards Co release from arthroprosthetic particles in the course of dealloying and degradation processes of larger particles within periprosthetic bone marrow. This is the first study providing data based on metal particle analyses to be used for future in vitro and in vivo studies of possible toxic effects in human bone marrow following exposure to arthroprosthetic CoCrMo particles of different concentration, size, and elemental composition. Graphical abstract.

Microstructuring to Improve the Thermal Stability of GeSn Layers

Tin segregation in Ge_1-xSn_x alloys is one of the major problems potentially hindering the use of this material in devices. Ge_1-xSn_x microdisks fabricated from layers with Sn concentrations up to 16.9% underwent here annealing at temperatures as high as 400 °C for 20 min without Sn segregation, in contrast with the full segregation observed in the corresponding blanket layers annealed simultaneously. After annealing, no changes in the elemental composition of the microdisks were evidenced. An enhancement of the total integrated photoluminescence, with no modifications of the emission energy, was also observed. These findings show that microstructuring offers a completely new path in maintaining the stability of high Sn concentration Ge_1-xSn_x layers at temperatures much higher than those used for growth. This approach enables the use of thermal annealing processes to improve the properties of this alloy in optoelectronic devices (such as light emitting diodes, lasers, photodetectors, or modulators). It should also facilitate the integration of Ge_1-xSn_x into well-established technologies requiring medium temperature processes. The same strategy may help to prevent Sn segregation during high temperature processes in similar metastable alloys.

Design and performance of a dedicated coherent X-ray scanning diffraction instrument at beamline NanoMAX of MAX IV

The diffraction endstation of the NanoMAX beamline is designed to provide high-flux coherent X-ray nano-beams for experiments requiring many degrees of freedom for sample and detector. The endstation is equipped with high-efficiency Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror focusing optics and a two-circle goniometer supporting a positioning and scanning device, designed to carry a compact sample environment. A robot is used as a detector arm. The endstation, in continued development, has been in user operation since summer 2017.

Evaluation of imaging setups for quantitative phase contrast nanoCT of mineralized biomaterials

X-ray nano-tomography with phase contrast (nanoCT) using synchrotron radiation is a powerful tool to non-destructively investigate 3D material properties at the nanoscale. In large bone lesions, such as severe bone fractures, bone cancer or other diseases, bone grafts substituting the lost bone might be necessary. Such grafts can be of biological origin or be composed of a synthetic bone substitute. The long-term functioning of artificial bone substitutes depends on many factors. Synchrotron nanoCT imaging has great potential to contribute to further the understanding of integration of implants into bone tissue by imaging the spatial interaction between bone tissue and implant, and by accessing the interface between implant material and bone tissue. With this aim, a methodology for evaluating the image quality is presented for in-line phase contrast nanoCT images of bone scaffold samples. A PMMA-embedded tricalcium phosphate scaffold was used with both a closed and an open porosity structure and bone ingrowths as a representative system of three known materials. Parameters such as spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio were extracted and used to explore and quantitatively compare the effects of implementation choices in the imaging setup, such as camera technology and imaging energy, on the resulting image quality. Increasing the X-ray energy from 17.5 keV to 29.6 keV leads to a notable improvement in image quality regardless of the camera technology used, with the two tested camera setups performing at a comparable level when the recorded intensity was kept constant.

A cell design for correlative hard X-ray nanoprobe and electron microscopy studies of catalysts under in situ conditions

To improve the understanding of catalysts, and ultimately the ability to design better materials, it is crucial to study them during their catalytic active states. Using in situ or operando conditions allows insights into structure-property relationships, which might not be observable by ex situ characterization. Spatially resolved X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy are powerful tools to determine structural and electronic properties, and the spatial resolutions now achievable at hard X-ray nanoprobe beamlines make them an ideal complement to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies in a multi-length-scale analysis approach. The development of a system to enable the use of a commercially available gas-cell chip assembly within an X-ray nanoprobe beamline is reported here. The novel in situ capability is demonstrated by an investigation of the redox behaviour of supported Pt nanoparticles on ceria under typical lean and rich diesel-exhaust conditions; however, the system has broader application to a wide range of solid-gas reactions. In addition the setup allows complimentary in situ transmission electron microscopy and X-ray nanoprobe studies under identical conditions, with the major advantage compared with other systems that the exact same cell can be used and easily transferred between instruments. This offers the exciting possibility of studying the same particles under identical conditions (gas flow, pressure, temperature) using multiple techniques.

Detection and Characterization of TiO2 Nanomaterials in Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants of Chihuahua State, Mexico

TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) have a wide range of industrial applications (paintings, sunscreens, food and cosmetics) and is one of the most intensively used nanomaterials worldwide. Leaching from commercial products TiO₂-NPs are predicted to significantly accumulate in wastewater sludges, which are then often used as soil amendment. In this work, sludge samples from four wastewater treatment plants of the Chihuahua State in Mexico were obtained during spring and summer (2017). A comprehensive characterization study was performed by X-ray based (laboratory and synchrotron) techniques and electron microscopy. Ti was detected in all sludge samples (1810–2760 mg/kg) mainly as TiO₂ particles ranging from 40 nm up to hundreds of nm. Micro-XANES data was analyzed by principal component analysis and linear combination fitting enabling the identification of three predominant Ti species: anatase, rutile and ilmenite. Micro-XANES from the smaller Ti particles was predominantly anatase (68% + 32% rutile), suggesting these TiO₂-NPs originate from paintings and cosmetics. TEM imaging confirmed the presence of nanoscale Ti with smooth surface morphologies resembling engineered TiO₂-NPs. The size and crystalline phase of TiO₂-NPs in the sludge from this region suggest increased reactivity and potential toxicity to agro-systems. Further studies should be dedicated to evaluating this.

Multi-Modal Characterization of Kesterite Thin-Film Solar Cells: Experimental results and numerical interpretation

We report a multi-modal study of electrical, chemical, and structural properties of a kesterite thin-film solar cell by combining the spatially-resolved X-ray beam induced current and fluorescence imaging techniques for...

Spatially and Time-Resolved Carrier Dynamics in Core-Shell InGaN/GaN Multiple-Quantum Wells on GaN Wire

Time-resolved cathodoluminescence is a key tool with high temporal and spatial resolution. However, optical spectroscopic information can be also extracted using synchrotron pulses in a hard X-ray nanoprobe, exploiting a phenomenon called X-ray excited optical luminescence. Here, with 20 ps time resolution and 80 nm lateral resolution, we applied this time-resolved X-ray microscopy technique to individual core-shell InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well heterostructures deposited on GaN wires. Our findings suggest that the m-plane related multiple quantum well states govern the carrier dynamics. Likewise, our observations support not only the influence of In incorporation in the recombination rates, but also carrier localization phenomena at the hexagon wire apex. In addition, our experiment calls for further investigations of the spatiotemporal domain on the underlying mechanisms of optoelectronic nanodevices. Its great potential becomes more valuable when time-resolved X-ray excited optical luminescence microscopy is used in operando with other methods, such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

NanoMAX: the hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory

NanoMAX is the first hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the MAX IV laboratory. It utilizes the unique properties of the world's first operational multi-bend achromat storage ring to provide an intense and coherent focused beam for experiments with several methods. In this paper we present the beamline optics design in detail, show the performance figures, and give an overview of the surrounding infrastructure and the operational diffraction endstation.

Subcellular architecture and metabolic connection in the planktonic photosymbiosis between Collodaria (radiolarians) and their microalgae

Photosymbiosis is widespread and ecologically important in the oceanic plankton but remains poorly studied. Here, we used multimodal subcellular imaging to investigate the photosymbiosis between colonial Collodaria and their microalga dinoflagellate (Brandtodinium). We showed that this symbiosis is very dynamic whereby symbionts interact with different host cells via extracellular vesicles within the colony. 3D electron microscopy revealed that the photosynthetic apparatus of the microalgae was more voluminous in symbiosis compared to free-living while the mitochondria volume was similar. Stable isotope probing coupled with NanoSIMS showed that carbon and nitrogen were stored in the symbiotic microalga in starch granules and purine crystals respectively. Nitrogen was also allocated to the algal nucleolus. In the host, low ¹³ C transfer was detected in the Golgi. Metal mapping revealed that intracellular iron concentration was similar in free-living and symbiotic microalgae (c. 40 ppm) and twofold higher in the host, whereas copper concentration increased in symbionts and was detected in the host cell and extracellular vesicles. Sulfur concentration was around two times higher in symbionts (chromatin and pyrenoid) than their host. This study improves our understanding on the functioning of this oceanic photosymbiosis and paves the way for more studies to further assess its biogeochemical significance.

Beam and sample movement compensation for robust spectro-microscopy measurements on a hard X-ray nanoprobe

Static and in situ nanoscale spectro-microscopy is now routinely performed on the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline at Diamond and the solutions implemented to provide robust energy scanning and experimental operation are described. A software-based scheme for active feedback stabilization of X-ray beam position and monochromatic beam flux across the operating energy range of the beamline is reported, consisting of two linked feedback loops using extremum seeking and position control. Multimodal registration methods have been implemented for active compensation of drift during an experiment to compensate for sample movement during in situ experiments or from beam-induced effects.

Correlative transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution hard X-ray fluorescence microscopy of cell sections to measure trace element concentrations at the organelle level

Metals are essential for life and their concentration and distribution in organisms are tightly regulated. Indeed, in their free form, most transition metal ions are toxic. Therefore, an excess of physiologic metal ions or the uptake of non-physiologic metal ions can be highly detrimental to the organism. It is thus fundamental to understand metal distribution under physiological, pathological or environmental conditions, for instance in metal-related pathologies or upon environmental exposure to metals. Elemental imaging techniques can serve this purpose, by allowing the visualization and the quantification of metal species in tissues down to the level of cell organelles. Synchrotron radiation-based X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) microscopy is one of the most sensitive techniques to date, and great progress was made to reach nanoscale spatial resolution. Here we propose a correlative method to couple SR-XRF to electron microscopy (EM), with the possibility to quantify selected elemental contents in a specific organelle of interest with 50 × 50 nm² raster scan resolution. We performed EM and SR-XRF on the same section of hepatocytes exposed to silver nanoparticles, in order to identify mitochondria through EM and visualize Ag co-localized with these organelles through SR-XRF. We demonstrate the accumulation of silver in mitochondria, which can reach a 10-fold higher silver concentration compared to the surrounding cytosol. The sample preparation and experimental setup can be adapted to other scientific questions, making the correlative use of SR-XRF and EM suitable to address a large panel of biological questions related to metal homeostasis.

Cellular remains in a ~3.42-billion-year-old subseafloor hydrothermal environment

Subsurface habitats on Earth host an extensive extant biosphere and likely provided one of Earth's earliest microbial habitats. Although the site of life's emergence continues to be debated, evidence of early life provides insights into its early evolution and metabolic affinity. Here, we present the discovery of exceptionally well-preserved, ~3.42-billion-year-old putative filamentous microfossils that inhabited a paleo-subseafloor hydrothermal vein system of the Barberton greenstone belt in South Africa. The filaments colonized the walls of conduits created by low-temperature hydrothermal fluid. Combined with their morphological and chemical characteristics as investigated over a range of scales, they can be considered the oldest methanogens and/or methanotrophs that thrived in an ultramafic volcanic substrate.

The Hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline at Diamond Light Source

The Hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline, I14, at Diamond Light Source is a new facility for nanoscale microscopy. The beamline was designed with an emphasis on multi-modal analysis, providing elemental mapping, speciation mapping by XANES, structural phase mapping using nano-XRD and imaging through differential phase contrast and ptychography. The 185 m-long beamline operates over a 5 keV to 23 keV energy range providing a ≤50 nm beam size for routine user experiments and a flexible scanning system allowing fast acquisition. The beamline achieves robust and stable operation by imaging the source in the vertical direction and implementing horizontally deflecting primary optics and an overfilled secondary source in the horizontal direction. This paper describes the design considerations, optical layout, aspects of the hardware engineering and scanning system in operation as well as some examples illustrating the beamline performance.

X-ray-Based Techniques to Study the Nano-Bio Interface

X-ray-based analytics are routinely applied in many fields, including physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering. The full potential of such techniques in the life sciences and medicine, however, has not yet been fully exploited. We highlight current and upcoming advances in this direction. We describe different X-ray-based methodologies (including those performed at synchrotron light sources and X-ray free-electron lasers) and their potentials for application to investigate the nano-bio interface. The discussion is predominantly guided by asking how such methods could better help to understand and to improve nanoparticle-based drug delivery, though the concepts also apply to nano-bio interactions in general. We discuss current limitations and how they might be overcome, particularly for future use in vivo.

Energy-dispersive X-ray micro Laue diffraction on a bent gold nanowire

This article reports on energy-dispersive micro Laue (µLaue) diffraction of an individual gold nanowire that was mechanically deformed in three-point bending geometry using an atomic force microscope. The nanowire deformation was investigated by scanning the focused polychromatic X-ray beam along the nanowire and recording µLaue diffraction patterns using an energy-sensitive pnCCD detector that permits measurement of the angular positions of the Laue spots and the energies of the diffracted X-rays simultaneously. The plastic deformation of the nanowire was shown by a bending of up to 3.0 ± 0.1°, a torsion of up to 0.3 ± 0.1° and a maximum deformation depth of 80 ± 5 nm close to the position where the mechanical load was applied. In addition, extended Laue spots in the vicinity of one of the clamping points indicated the storage of geometrically necessary dislocations with a density of 7.5 × 1013 m-2. While µLaue diffraction with a non-energy-sensitive detector only gives access to the deviatoric strain, the energy sensitivity of the employed pnCCD offers absolute strain measurements with a resolution of 1%. Here, the residual strain after complete unloading of the nanowire amounted to maximum tensile and compressive strains of the order of +1.2 and -3%, which is comparable to the actual resolution limit. The combination of white-beam µLaue diffraction using an energy-sensitive pixel detector with nano-mechanical testing opens up new possibilities for the study of mechanical behavior at the nanoscale.

In-Operando Nanoscale X-ray Analysis Revealing the Local Electrical Properties of Rubidium-Enriched Grain Boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

Chalcogenide Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ solar cells yield one of the highest efficiencies among all thin-film photovoltaics. However, the variability of the absorber compositions and incorporated alkali elements strongly affect the conversion efficiency. Thus, effective strategies for spatially resolved tracking of the alkali concentration and composition during operation are needed to alleviate this limitation. Here, using a hard X-ray nanoprobe, we apply a synergistic approach of X-ray fluorescence analysis and X-ray beam-induced current techniques under operando conditions. The simultaneous monitoring of both compositional and functional properties in complete solar cells illustrates the exceptional capabilities of this combination of techniques in top-view geometry, where high spatial resolution resulted even underneath the electrical contacts. Our observations reveal Rb agglomerations in selected areas and compositional variations between different grains and their boundaries. The concurrent detection of the functionality exhibits negligible effects on the collection efficiency for Rb-enriched grain boundaries in comparison to their neighboring grains, which indicates the passivation of detrimental defects.

Relationship Between Hg Speciation and Hg Methylation/Demethylation Processes in the Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Pseudodesulfovibrio hydrargyri: Evidences From HERFD-XANES and Nano-XRF

Microorganisms are key players in the transformation of mercury into neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg). Nevertheless, this mechanism and the opposite MeHg demethylation remain poorly understood. Here, we explored the impact of inorganic mercury (IHg) and MeHg concentrations from 0.05 to 50 μM on the production and degradation of MeHg in two sulfate-reducing bacteria, Pseudodesulfovibrio hydrargyri BerOc1 able to methylate and demethylate mercury and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans G200 only able to demethylate MeHg. MeHg produced by BerOc1 increased with increasing IHg concentration with a maximum attained for 5 μM, and suggested a saturation of the process. MeHg was mainly found in the supernatant suggesting its export from the cell. Hg L₃-edge High- Energy-Resolution-Fluorescence-Detected-X-ray-Absorption-Near-Edge-Structure spectroscopy (HERFD-XANES) identified MeHg produced by BerOc1 as MeHg-cysteine₂ form. A dominant tetracoordinated βHgS form was detected for BerOc1 exposed to the lowest IHg concentrations where methylation was detected. In contrast, at the highest exposure (50 μM) where Hg methylation was abolished, Hg species drastically changed suggesting a role of Hg speciation in the production of MeHg. The tetracoordinated βHgS was likely present as nano-particles as suggested by transmission electron microscopy combined to X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (TEM-X-EDS) and nano-X ray fluorescence (nano-XRF). When exposed to MeHg, the production of IHg, on the contrary, increased with the increase of MeHg exposure until 50 μM for both BerOc1 and G200 strains, suggesting that demethylation did not require intact biological activity. The formed IHg species were identified as various tetracoordinated Hg-S forms. These results highlight the important role of thiol ligands and Hg coordination in Hg methylation and demethylation processes.

Distribution and Chemical Speciation of Exogenous Micro- and Nanoparticles in Inflamed Soft Tissue Adjacent to Titanium and Ceramic Dental Implants

Degradation of the implant surface and particle release/formation as an inflammation catalyst mechanism is an emerging concept in dental medicine that may help explain the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis. The aim of the present study was a synchrotron-based characterization of micro- and nanosized implant-related particles in inflamed human tissues around titanium and ceramic dental implants that exhibited signs of peri-implantitis. Size, distribution, and chemical speciation of the exogenous micro- and nanosized particle content were evaluated using synchrotron μ-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), nano-XRF, and μ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). Titanium particles, with variable speciation, were detected in all tissue sections associated with titanium implants. Ceramic particles were found in five out of eight tissue samples associated with ceramic implants. Particles ranged in size from micro- to nanoscale. The local density of both titanium and ceramic particles was calculated to be as high as ∼40 million particles/mm³. μ-XANES identified titanium in predominantly two different chemistries, including metallic and titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The findings highlight the propensity for particle accumulation in the inflamed tissues around dental implants and will help in guiding toxicological studies to determine the biological significance of such exposures.

Time and space resolved modelling of the heating induced by synchrotron X-ray nanobeams

X-ray synchrotron sources, possessing high power density, nanometric spot size and short pulse duration, are extending their application frontiers up to the exploration of direct matter modification. In this field, the use of atomistic and continuum models is now becoming fundamental in the simulation of the photoinduced excitation states and eventually in the phase transition triggered by intense X-rays. In this work, the X-ray heating phenomenon is studied by coupling the Monte Carlo method (MC) with the Fourier heat equation, to first calculate the distribution of the energy absorbed by the systems and finally to predict the heating distribution and evolution. The results of the proposed model are also compared with those obtained removing the explicit definition of the energy distribution, as calculated by the MC. A good approximation of experimental thermal measurements produced irradiating a millimetric glass bead is found for both of the proposed models. A further step towards more complex systems is carried out, including in the models the different time patterns of the source, as determined by the filling modes of the synchrotron storage ring. The two models are applied in three prediction cases, in which the heating produced in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ microcrystals by means of nanopatterning experiments with intense hard X-ray nanobeams is calculated. It is demonstrated that the temperature evolution is strictly connected to the filling mode of the storage ring. By coupling the MC with the heat equation, X-ray pulses that are 48 ps long, possessing an instantaneous photon flux of ∼44 × 10¹³ photons s^-1, were found to be able to induce a maximum temperature increase of 42 K, after a time of 350 ps. Inversely, by ignoring the energy redistribution calculated with the MC, peaks temperatures up to hundreds of degrees higher were found. These results highlight the importance of the energy redistribution operated by primary and secondary electrons in the theoretical simulation of the X-ray heating effects.

Zernike phase-contrast full-field transmission X-ray nanotomography for 400 micrometre-sized samples

Full-field X-ray nanotomography based on a Fresnel zone plate offers a promising and intuitive approach to acquire high-quality phase-contrast images with a spatial resolution of tens of nanometres, and is applicable to both synchrotron radiation and laboratory sources. However, its small field of view (FOV) of tens of micrometres provides limited volume information, which primarily limits its application fields. This work proposes a method for expanding the FOV as the diameter of the objective zone plate, which provides a 400 µm FOV at below 500 nm resolution with Zernike phase contrast. General applications of large-volume nanotomography are demonstrated in integrated circuit microchips and Artemia cysts. This method can be useful for imaging/analyzing industrial and biological samples where bulk properties are important or the sample is difficult to section.

Micromachined Silicon Platform for Precise Assembly of 2D Multilayer Laue Lenses for High-Resolution X-ray Microscopy

We report on a developed micromachined silicon platform for the precise assembly of 2D multilayer Laue lenses (MLLs) for high-resolution X-ray microscopy. The platform is 10 × 10 mm2 and is fabricated on ~500 µm thick silicon wafers through multiple steps of photolithography and deep reactive-ion etching. The platform accommodates two linear MLLs in a pre-defined configuration with precise angular and lateral position control. In this work, we discuss the design and microfabrication of the platform, and characterization regarding MLLs assembly, position control, repeatability, and stability. The results demonstrate that a micromachined platform can be used for the assembly of a variety of MLLs with different dimensions and optical parameters. The angular misalignment of 2D MLLs is well controlled in the range of the designed accuracy, down to a few millidegrees. The separation distance between MLLs is adjustable from hundreds to more than one thousand micrometers. The use of the developed platform greatly simplifies the alignment procedure of the MLL optics and reduces the complexity of the X-ray microscope. It is a significant step forward for the development of monolithic 2D MLL nanofocusing optics for high-resolution X-ray microscopy.

Metal-Specific Biomaterial Accumulation in Human Peri-Implant Bone and Bone Marrow

Metallic implants are frequently used in medicine to support and replace degenerated tissues. Implant loosening due to particle exposure remains a major cause for revision arthroplasty. The exact role of metal debris in sterile peri-implant inflammation is controversial, as it remains unclear whether and how metals chemically alter and potentially accumulate behind an insulating peri-implant membrane, in the adjacent bone and bone marrow (BM). An intensively focused and bright synchrotron X-ray beam allows for spatially resolving the multi-elemental composition of peri-implant tissues from patients undergoing revision surgery. In peri-implant BM, particulate cobalt (Co) is exclusively co-localized with chromium (Cr), non-particulate Cr accumulates in the BM matrix. Particles consisting of Co and Cr contain less Co than bulk alloy, which indicates a pronounced dissolution capacity. Particulate titanium (Ti) is abundant in the BM and analyzed Ti nanoparticles predominantly consist of titanium dioxide in the anatase crystal phase. Co and Cr but not Ti integrate into peri-implant bone trabeculae. The characteristic of Cr to accumulate in the intertrabecular matrix and trabecular bone is reproducible in a human 3D in vitro model. This study illustrates the importance of updating the view on long-term consequences of biomaterial usage and reveals toxicokinetics within highly sensitive organs.

Hot electrons in a nanowire hard X-ray detector

Nanowire chip-based electrical and optical devices such as biochemical sensors, physical detectors, or light emitters combine outstanding functionality with a small footprint, reducing expensive material and energy consumption. The core functionality of many nanowire-based devices is embedded in their p-n junctions. To fully unleash their potential, such nanowire-based devices require - besides a high performance - stability and reliability. Here, we report on an axial p-n junction GaAs nanowire X-ray detector that enables ultra-high spatial resolution (~200 nm) compared to micron scale conventional ones. In-operando X-ray analytical techniques based on a focused synchrotron X-ray nanobeam allow probing the internal electrical field and observing hot electron effects at the nanoscale. Finally, we study device stability and find a selective hot electron induced oxidization in the n-doped segment of the p-n junction. Our findings demonstrate capabilities and limitations of p-n junction nanowires, providing insight for further improvement and eventual integration into on-chip devices.

Beam damage of single semiconductor nanowires during X-ray nanobeam diffraction experiments

Nanoprobe X-ray diffraction (nXRD) using focused synchrotron radiation is a powerful technique to study the structural properties of individual semiconductor nanowires. However, when performing the experiment under ambient conditions, the required high X-ray dose and prolonged exposure times can lead to radiation damage. To unveil the origin of radiation damage, a comparison is made of nXRD experiments carried out on individual semiconductor nanowires in their as-grown geometry both under ambient conditions and under He atmosphere at the microfocus station of the P08 beamline at the third-generation source PETRA III. Using an incident X-ray beam energy of 9 keV and photon flux of 1010 s-1, the axial lattice parameter and tilt of individual GaAs/In0.2Ga0.8As/GaAs core-shell nanowires were monitored by continuously recording reciprocal-space maps of the 111 Bragg reflection at a fixed spatial position over several hours. In addition, the emission properties of the (In,Ga)As quantum well, the atomic composition of the exposed nanowires and the nanowire morphology were studied by cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, both prior to and after nXRD exposure. Nanowires exposed under ambient conditions show severe optical and morphological damage, which was reduced for nanowires exposed under He atmosphere. The observed damage can be largely attributed to an oxidation process from X-ray-induced ozone reactions in air. Due to the lower heat-transfer coefficient compared with GaAs, this oxide shell limits the heat transfer through the nanowire side facets, which is considered as the main channel of heat dissipation for nanowires in the as-grown geometry.

PtyNAMi: ptychographic nano-analytical microscope

Ptychographic X-ray imaging at the highest spatial resolution requires an optimal experimental environment, providing a high coherent flux, excellent mechanical stability and a low background in the measured data. This requires, for example, a stable performance of all optical components along the entire beam path, high temperature stability, a robust sample and optics tracking system, and a scatter-free environment. This contribution summarizes the efforts along these lines to transform the nanoprobe station on beamline P06 (PETRA III) into the ptychographic nano-analytical microscope (PtyNAMi).

Nanoscale trace metal imprinting of biocalcification of planktic foraminifers by Toba's super-eruption

Bioactive metal releases in ocean surface water, such as those by ash falls during volcanic super-eruptions, might have a potentially toxic impact on biocalcifier planktic microorganisms. Nano-XRF imaging with the cutting-edge synchrotron hard X-ray nano-analysis ID16B beamline (ESRF) revealed for the first time a specific Zn- and Mn-rich banding pattern in the test walls of Globorotalia menardii planktic foraminifers extracted from the Young Toba Tuff layer, and thus contemporaneous with Toba’s super-eruption, 74,000 years ago. The intra-test correlation of Zn and Mn patterns at the nanoscale with the layered calcareous microarchitecture, indicates that the incorporation of these metals is syngenetic to the wall growth. The preferential Mn and Zn sequestration within the incipient stages of chamber formation suggests a selective incorporation mechanism providing a resilience strategy to metal pollution in the test building of planktic foraminifers.

A passive hutch-cooling system for achieving high thermal-stability operation at the Nanoprobe beamline, Diamond Light Source

The development of low-emittance storage rings and the rapid developments in nano-optics and imaging techniques are leading to decreasing X-ray spot sizes and increasing requirements on the environmental and mechanical stability of beamline components. In particular, temperature stability in the experimental hutches is critical to minimize uncontrolled displacements caused by thermal expansion and ensure consistent performance. Here, the design and thermal performance of the experimental hutches of the Nanoprobe beamline at Diamond Light Source are described, where a standard deviation of the room temperature down to 0.017°C over extended periods is demonstrated. The rooms are kept at constant temperature using water-cooled radiant panels which line the ceiling and walls. Radiant panels are relatively common in high-end electron microscopy rooms, but this is the first demonstration of their use for fine temperature control in an X-ray hutch and may provide a useful basis for future upgrades at upcoming low-emittance sources.

A helium mini-cryostat for the nanoprobe beamline ID16B at ESRF: characteristics and performance

A helium mini-cryostat has been developed for the hard X-ray nanoprobe ID16B of the European Synchrotron to collect X-ray excited optical luminescence and X-ray fluorescence at low temperature (<10 K). The mini-cryostat has been specifically designed to fit within the strong space restrictions and high-demanding mechanical constraints imposed by the beamline to provide vibration-free operation and maximal thermal stability. This paper reports the detailed design, architecture and technical requirements of the mini-cryostat, and presents the first experimental data measured using the cryogenic equipment. The resulting cryo-system features ultimate thermal stability, fast cool-down and ultra-low vibrations. The simultaneous X-ray fluorescence and X-ray excited optical luminescence data acquired from bulk GaN and core/shell InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells validated the excellent performance of the cryostat with ultimate resolution, stability and sensitivity.

2D MEMS-based multilayer Laue lens nanofocusing optics for high-resolution hard x-ray microscopy

We report on the development of 2D integrated multilayer Laue lens (MLL) nanofocusing optics used for high-resolution x-ray microscopy. A Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) - based template has been designed and fabricated to accommodate two linear MLL optics in pre-aligned configuration. The orthogonality requirement between two MLLs has been satisfied to a better than 6 millidegrees level, and the separation along the x-ray beam direction was controlled on a micrometer scale. Developed planar 2D MLL structure has demonstrated astigmatism free point focus of ∼14 nm by ∼13 nm in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, at 13.6 keV photon energy. Approaching 10 nm resolution with integrated 2D MLL optic is a significant step forward in applications of multilayer Laue lenses for high-resolution hard x-ray microscopy and their adoption by the general x-ray microscopy community.

X-ray nano-tomography of complete scales from the ultra-white beetles Lepidiota stigma and Cyphochilus

High resolution X-ray nano-tomography experiments are often limited to a few tens of micrometer size volumes due to detector size. It is possible, through the use of multiple overlapping tomography scans, to produce a large area scan which can encompass a sample in its entirety. Mounting and positioning regions to be scanned is highly challenging and normally requires focused ion beam approaches. In this work we have imaged intact beetle scale cells mounted on the tip of a needle using a micromanipulator stage. Here we show X-ray holotomography data for single ultra-white scales from the beetles Lepidiota stigma (L. stigma) and Cyphochilus which exhibit the most effective scattering of white light in the literature. The final thresholded matrices represent a scan area of 25 × 70 × 362.5 µm and 25 × 67.5 × 235µm while maintaining a pixel resolution of 25 nm. This tomographic approach allowed the internal structure of the scales to be captured completely intact and undistorted by the sectioning required for traditional microscopy techniques.

Measurement(s)	chitin • scale
Technology Type(s)	computed tomography • x-ray holotomography
Sample Characteristic - Organism	Lepidiota • Cyphochilus

Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12251450

Triggering Neurotransmitters Secretion from Single Cells by X-ray Nanobeam Irradiation

The employment of ionizing radiation is a powerful tool in cancer therapy, but beyond targeted effects, many studies have highlighted the relevance of its off-target consequences. An exhaustive understanding of the mechanisms underlying these effects is still missing, and no real-time data about signals released by cells during irradiation are presently available. We employed a synchrotron X-ray nanobeam to perform the first real-time simultaneous measurement of both X-ray irradiation and in vitro neurotransmitter release from individual adrenal phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells plated over a diamond-based multielectrode array. We have demonstrated that, in specific conditions, X-rays can alter cell activity by promoting dopamine exocytosis, and such an effect is potentially very attractive for a more effective treatment of tumors.