Single-nanometer focusing of hard x-rays by Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors

J Phys Condens Matter. 2011 Oct 5;23(39):394206. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/23/39/394206. Epub 2011 Sep 15.

Abstract

We have constructed an extremely precise optical system for hard-x-ray nanofocusing in a synchrotron radiation beamline. Precision multilayer mirrors were fabricated, tested, and employed as Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors with a novel phase error compensator. In the phase compensator, an at-wavelength wavefront error sensing method based on x-ray interferometry and an in situ phase compensator mirror, which adaptively deforms with nanometer precision, were developed to satisfy the Rayleigh criterion to achieve diffraction-limited focusing in a single-nanometer range. The performance of the optics was tested at BL29XUL of SPring-8 and was confirmed to realize a spot size of approximately 7 nm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't