KOTOBUKI-1 apparatus for cryogenic coherent X-ray diffraction imaging.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biological Sciences
• X-ray Imaging

Background:

• Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) requires stable cryogenic conditions for frozen-hydrated specimens.
• Maintaining low temperatures and minimizing specimen movement are critical for high-resolution imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an experimental apparatus for CXDI of frozen-hydrated non-crystalline particles at cryogenic temperatures.
• To enable stable, long-exposure data collection with minimal positional fluctuation.

Main Methods:

• Development of the KOTOBUKI-1 apparatus featuring a liquid nitrogen-cooled cryogenic pot.
• Implementation of a loading device for transferring specimens from liquid nitrogen to a vacuum specimen stage.
• Utilizing evaporation cooling for liquid nitrogen to achieve stable cryogenic temperatures.

Main Results:

• Achieved diffraction data collection for frozen-hydrated specimens at 66 K with positional fluctuation below 0.4 μm.
• Demonstrated the apparatus's capability for collecting data from micron-sized non-crystalline particles (e.g., metal colloid, chloroplast).
• Successfully applied the apparatus for single-shot diffraction data collection of sub-micron particles using X-ray free electron lasers.

Conclusions:

• The KOTOBUKI-1 apparatus provides a stable cryogenic environment for CXDI of frozen-hydrated samples.
• It facilitates easy specimen exchange from liquid nitrogen storage to the experimental stage.
• The system is effective for analyzing both micron- and sub-micron sized non-crystalline particles from diverse scientific fields.