Communication: X-ray coherent diffractive imaging by immersion in nanodroplets

Area of Science:

• X-ray microscopy
• Condensed matter physics
• Quantum fluids

Background:

• Lensless x-ray microscopy necessitates phase recovery of scattered radiation.
• Existing phase retrieval methods can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, de novo phase retrieval technique for lensless x-ray microscopy.
• To utilize superfluid helium nanodroplets as a medium for object support and phase approximation.

Main Methods:

• Encapsulating objects within superfluid helium nanodroplets.
• Employing iterative image reconstruction algorithms utilizing the droplet's approximate scattering phase.
• Performing lensless x-ray microscopy on embedded specimens.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a robust and fast-converging phase retrieval technique.
• Successfully obtained the complex density of encapsulated objects.
• Visualized transient quantum vortex configurations in xenon clusters within helium droplets.

Conclusions:

• Superfluid helium nanodroplets offer a viable platform for advanced phase retrieval in x-ray microscopy.
• The technique provides insights into the dynamics of quantum systems at the nanoscale.
• This method advances the imaging capabilities for fragile and complex nanoscale objects.