Dynamic X-ray coherent diffraction analysis: bridging the timescales between imaging and photon correlation spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper presents a method combining coherent X-ray diffractive imaging and photon correlation spectroscopy to study nanoparticle dynamics in situ, achieving high temporal resolution and visualizing processes like agglomeration.

Contribution

It introduces a novel strategy for simultaneous CXDI and XPCS measurements, enabling detailed spatiotemporal analysis of nanoparticle motion.

Findings

Visualized nanoparticle agglomeration in real-time

Achieved 22 ms temporal resolution with CXDI

Demonstrated combined technique's capability for in situ studies

Abstract

The advent of diffraction limited sources and developments in detector technology opens up new possibilities for the study of materials in situ and operando. Coherent X-ray diffraction techniques such as coherent X-ray diffractive imaging (CXDI) and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) are capable for this purpose and provide complimentary information, although due to signal-to-noise requirements, their simultaneous demonstration has been limited. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for the simultaneous use of CXDI and XPCS to study in situ the Brownian motion of colloidal gold nanoparticles of 200 nm diameter suspended in a glycerol-water mixture. We visualise the process of agglomeration, examine the spatiotemporal space accessible with the combination of techniques, and demonstrate CXDI with 22 ms temporal resolution.