X-ray Microscopy and Talbot Imaging with the Matter in Extreme Conditions X-ray Imager at LCLS

TL;DR

This paper presents advanced X-ray imaging techniques developed at LCLS for high-resolution, phase, and intensity imaging of samples under extreme conditions, enhancing capabilities in high energy density physics research.

Contribution

The paper introduces new imaging diagnostics at LCLS, including phase contrast, direct imaging with 200 nm resolution, and Talbot imaging for sub-micron phase and intensity measurements.

Findings

Achieved 200 nm spatial resolution in direct imaging.

Implemented Talbot imaging for sub-micron phase and intensity measurements.

Demonstrated high-fidelity imaging of HED samples using FEL-based techniques.

Abstract

The last decade has shown the great potential that X-ray Free Electron Lasers (FEL) have to study High Energy Density (HED) physics. Experiments at FELs have made significant breakthroughs in Shock Physics and Dynamic Diffraction, Dense Plasma Physics and Warm Dense Matter Science, using techniques such as isochoric heating, inelastic scattering, small angle scattering and X-ray diffraction. In addition, and complementary to these techniques, the coherent properties of the FEL beam can be used to image HED samples with high fidelity. We present new imaging diagnostics and techniques developed at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) instrument at Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) over the last few years. We show results in Phase Contrast Imaging geometry, where the X-ray beam propagates from the target to a camera revealing its phase, as well as in Direct Imaging geometry, where a real image of the sample plane is produced in the camera with a spatial resolution down to 200 nm. Last, we show an implementation of the Talbot Imaging method allowing both X-ray phase and intensity measurements change introduced by a target with sub-micron resolution.