Achromatic nested Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror optics for hard X-ray nanofocusing.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Synchrotron Radiation Technology

Background:

• Traditional Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) mirror arrangements can be bulky and less efficient.
• Nanoscale focusing is crucial for high-resolution X-ray applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first test of nanoscale-focusing KB mirrors in a nested configuration at a hard X-ray synchrotron beamline.
• To evaluate the performance and potential of this compact mirror geometry.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two 40 mm long, platinum-coated mirrors in a nested (Montel) configuration.
• Tested with both polychromatic and monochromatic beams at a hard X-ray synchrotron beamline.
• Employed special polishing and coating techniques to maintain mirror surface quality at the edges.

Main Results:

• Achieved a focal spot of approximately 150 nm in both horizontal and vertical directions.
• The nested mirror geometry demonstrated superior compactness and higher demagnification compared to sequential KB arrangements.
• The optics collected X-ray beams up to 120 µm x 120 µm with a broad energy bandwidth up to 30 keV.

Conclusions:

• The nested KB mirror configuration is a viable and compact solution for nanoscale focusing at hard X-ray synchrotron beamlines.
• Further development aims to achieve diffraction-limited focusing below 50 nm.
• This technology has the potential to improve the diffraction limit of achromatic optics.