Hard X-ray Fourier transform holography at free electron lasers source

TL;DR

This paper shows that hard X-ray holography using free electron lasers can capture nanostructure details, but intense X-rays cause sample heating, affecting results.

Contribution

Demonstration of Fourier transform holography with free electron lasers for nanostructure imaging and exploration of split-and-delay optics for dynamic studies.

Findings

Successful holographic reconstructions of nanostructures using single and multi-pulse X-ray sources.

Beam-induced heating reduces holographic reconstruction visibility.

Split-and-delay optics enable potential for sub-nanosecond dynamic studies.

Abstract

We report on the feasibility of Fourier transform holography in the hard X-ray regime using a Free Electron Laser source. Our study shows successful single and multi-pulse holographic reconstructions of the nanostructures. We observe beam-induced heating of the sample exposed to the intense X-ray pulses leading to reduced visibility of the holographic reconstructions. Furthermore, we extended our study exploring the feasibility of recording holographic reconstructions with hard X-ray split-and-delay optics. Our study paves the way towards studying dynamics at sub-nanosecond timescales and atomic lengthscales.

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