Correlative nanoscale 3D imaging of structure and composition in extended objects

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Nanoscale structure and composition dictate material and biological system behavior.
• High-resolution 3D imaging is crucial for understanding these behaviors.
• Current 3D imaging methods often involve destructive sample preparation and limited sample sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a non-destructive, multiple-contrast imaging technique generalizing X-ray laminography for laterally extended objects.
• To overcome limitations of traditional 3D imaging, such as reduced sample size and increased preparation efforts.
• To enable correlation of 3D structure with elemental distribution at high resolution.

Main Methods:

• Utilized principles of X-ray laminography, extending tomography to larger samples.
• Integrated coherent imaging for high sensitivity to electron density variations.
• Combined X-ray fluorescence for local trace element quantification.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the technique on a lithographic nanostructure and an aluminum alloy.
• Visualized subcellular responses to nanotube exposure in lung tissue, showing nanotube localization within alveolar macrophages and translocation.
• Achieved high-resolution 3D imaging with correlated structural and elemental information.

Conclusions:

• The developed X-ray nano-laminography is a non-destructive technique for high-resolution 3D imaging.
• It allows for large-area scanning with subsequent zooming to regions of interest.
• This method facilitates in situ and in operando 3D studies across various scientific disciplines.