2D-RIXS: Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering microscopy with high energy and spatial resolutions

TL;DR

The paper presents a 2D-RIXS microscopy system that combines high spatial and energy resolutions for probing quantum materials at the microscale.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 2D-RIXS microscopy instrument with micrometer spatial resolution and ultrahigh energy resolution in the soft x-ray regime.

Findings

Achieves 1.0 μm vertical spatial resolution near the center of the field-of-view.

Demonstrates 0.8 μm horizontal resolution based on incident beam footprint.

Successfully images patterned samples and nanoflakes, showing its effectiveness in locating microscale regions.

Abstract

A two-dimensional resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (2D-RIXS) microscopy system has been developed at the beamline BL02U of NanoTerasu. The instrument combines a Wolter type-I mirror for spatial imaging with a varied-line-spacing grating spectrometer, simultaneously achieving micrometer-scale spatial resolution and ultrahigh energy resolution in the soft x-ray regime. Test chart measurements confirm a vertical spatial resolution of 1.0 um near the field-of-view center, and the horizontal resolution determined by the incident beam footprint is 0.8 um. RIXS imaging capabilities have been demonstrated by the measurements of a patterned NanoTerasu logo and exfoliated NiPS${}_3$ nanoflakes, highlighting its efficiency in locating specific microscale regions within inhomogeneous samples. These results establish 2D-RIXS microscopy as a position-sensitive probe of elementary excitations in quantum materials and functional devices.