Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy with a fast framing pixel detector

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Microscopy

Background:

• Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) is a powerful imaging technique.
• Current detection schemes are often hindered by specialized detectors or slow readout.
• Achieving high-resolution STXM is crucial for materials analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate sub-50 nm resolution STXM in the hard X-ray regime.
• To showcase the utility of the PILATUS detector for STXM.
• To enable advanced imaging modes in STXM.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a small X-ray probe raster scanned across a specimen.
• Employed the PILATUS fully pixelated fast framing detector.
• Operated the detector in single-photon counting mode for hard X-ray STXM.

Main Results:

• Achieved sub-50 nm resolution STXM.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of the PILATUS detector for STXM.
• Successfully implemented phase contrast and dark-field imaging modes.

Conclusions:

• The PILATUS detector facilitates high-resolution STXM in the hard X-ray regime.
• This approach overcomes limitations of previous detection schemes.
• Enables new possibilities for advanced STXM imaging applications.