Fabrication of diamond diffraction gratings for experiments with intense hard x-rays

TL;DR

This paper reports the successful fabrication and testing of diamond-based diffraction gratings capable of withstanding intense hard x-ray radiation, suitable for advanced high-dose x-ray experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for fabricating high-aspect-ratio diamond diffraction gratings with verified radiation tolerance and high efficiency across various photon energies.

Findings

Gratings fabricated with structures from tens of nanometres to micrometres.

Achieved high radiation tolerance confirmed by intense x-ray source testing.

Measured efficiencies demonstrate suitability for high-dose x-ray applications.

Abstract

The demands on optical components to tolerate high radiation dose and manipulate hard x-ray beams that can fit the experiment requirements, are constantly increasing due to the advancements in the available x-ray sources. Here we have successfully fabricated the transmission type gratings using diamond, with structure sizes ranging from few tens of nanometres up to micrometres, and aspect ratio of up to 20. The efficiencies of the gratings were measured over a wide range of photon energies and their radiation tolerance was confirmed using the most intense x-ray source in the world. The fidelity of these grating structures was confirmed by the quality of the measured experimental results.