Understanding topological spin textures is important because of scientific interests and technological applications. However, observing nanoscale magnetization and mapping out their interactions in 3D have been challenging–due to the lack of nondestructive vector nanoimaging techniques that penetrate thick samples. Recently, we developed a new characterization technique, soft x-ray vector ptycho-tomography, to image spin textures with a 3D vector spatial resolution of 10 nm. Using 3D magnetic metamaterial as an example, we demonstrated the creation and observation of topological magnetic monopoles and their interactions. We expect this method to be applied broadly to image vector fields in magnetic samples and beyond.
Here we present soft X-ray linear dichroic ptychography developed at the COherent Scattering and MICroscopy (COSMIC) beamline at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) by studying biominerals—complex 3D hierarchically structured mineral-organic composite materials—produced by living organisms. Sequences of soft x-ray ptychography images at varying EPU polarizations were acquired, which principally allows visualization and orientation mapping of complex biogenic ultrastructures with spatial resolution down to 8 nm. These correlative data not only shed light on key mechanisms of the formation and mechanical principles of these composites but also demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of this newly developed technique, such as orientational precision, angular resolution and thickness related restrictions.
Recent plans for x-ray synchrotrons to upgrade to new high brightness lattices have created great excitement about the potential for coherent x-ray imaging to provide a view of nano-materials with high spatial and temporal resolution. However, with increased x-ray brightness comes the inherent risk of radiation damage and the limited speed of current experimental systems. The Advanced Light Source has an extensive program in coherent scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) and ptychographic imaging with four beamlines covering an energy range of 200 to 2500 eV. Current instrument development efforts are focused on high-dynamic scanning for increased speed and the use of fast x-ray pixel detectors for high resolution ptychographic imaging. Our new microscope, called Nanosurveyor2, can scan at rates of up to 1 mm per second and has achieved a resolution of 3 times the x-ray wavelength. Using this system, we are developing novel scan trajectories and low dose imaging methods which combine high speed conventional STXM imaging with high resolution ptychography. Principal component analysis is used to extract high statistics spectra from noisy and low-resolution STXM data which are then used to _t a small number of ptychographic images for high spatial resolution chemical mapping with relatively low dose. We consider applications in the energy sciences where x-ray exposure has been observed to reduce the oxidation state of relevant compounds.
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