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Measurement of X-ray Beam Coherence along Multiple Directions Using 2-D Checkerboard Phase Grating

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Longitudinal coherence function in X-ray imaging of crystals.

Steven J Leake¹, Marcus C Newton, Ross Harder

¹London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College, Gower St, London WC1E6BT, UK. s.leake@ucl.ac.uk

|September 3, 2009

Summary

Researchers measured the longitudinal coherence function using a novel method, determining the coherence length to be 0.66 micrometers. This study utilized Coherent X-ray Diffraction (CXD) on Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanorods to map incident radiation coherence.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Condensed Matter Physics
X-ray Optics

Background:

Understanding the coherence properties of X-ray beams is crucial for advanced imaging techniques.
Coherent X-ray Diffraction (CXD) offers high-resolution structural analysis of nanomaterials.
Previous methods for measuring longitudinal coherence were limited in application.

Purpose of the Study:

To measure the longitudinal coherence function at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) beamline 34-ID-C.
To determine the coherence length (xi(L)) of the incident X-ray beam.
To investigate the relationship between X-ray coherence and nanorod structure.

Main Methods:

A novel method was employed to measure the longitudinal coherence function.
Three-dimensional Coherent X-ray Diffraction (CXD) patterns were collected.
Measurements were performed on Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanorods with varying aspect ratios.

Main Results:

The longitudinal coherence length was determined to be xi(L) = 0.66 +/- 0.02 micrometers.
Varying fringe visibility in the 002 crystal direction was observed across different reflections.
Partial coherence was linked to amplitude 'hot' spots in 3D structural reconstructions.

Conclusions:

The novel method provides an effective way to measure X-ray beam coherence.
Coherence properties influence the quality of CXD data and structural reconstructions.
Amplitude variations in the X-ray beam can lead to partial coherence and affect nanorod analysis.