A Bragg beam splitter for hard x-ray free-electron lasers

Opt Express. 2013 Feb 11;21(3):2823-31. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.002823.

Abstract

We report a Bragg beam splitter developed for utilization of hard x-ray free-electron lasers. The splitter is based on an ultrathin silicon crystal operating in the symmetric Bragg geometry to provide high reflectivity and transmissivity simultaneously. We fabricated frame-shaped Si(511) and (110) crystals with thicknesses below 10 μm by a reactive dry etching method using atmospheric-pressure plasma. The thickness variation over an illuminated area is less than 300 nm peak-to-valley. High crystalline perfection was verified by topographic and diffractometric measurements. The crystal thickness was evaluated from the period of the Pendellösung beats measured with a highly monochromatic and collimated x-ray probe. The crystals provide two replica pulses with uniform wavefront [(<1/50)λ] and low spatial intensity variation (<5%). These Bragg beam splitters will play an important role in innovating XFEL applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrons
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Lasers*
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • X-Rays