OMNY-A tOMography Nano crYo stage

Area of Science:

• * Correlative microscopy
• * Biophysics
• * Materials science

Background:

• * Three-dimensional imaging is crucial for understanding complex biological and material structures.
• * High-resolution microscopy often requires specific sample environments to preserve structural integrity.
• * X-ray microscopy offers unique penetration and contrast capabilities for various sample types.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To introduce the tOMography Nano crYo (OMNY) instrument for high-resolution 3D X-ray microscopy.
• * To demonstrate the capability of OMNY for imaging at cryogenic conditions.
• * To showcase the instrument's precision in sample positioning and environmental control.

Main Methods:

• * Development of the tOMography Nano crYo (OMNY) instrument utilizing hard X-ray ptychography.
• * Implementation of laser interferometry and closed-loop control for sub-10 nm positioning accuracy.
• * Integration of conductive cooling systems for cryogenic temperatures (10 K with liquid helium, 90 K with liquid nitrogen) and a cryogenic sample-change mechanism.

Main Results:

• * Achieved high-resolution 3D scanning X-ray microscopy at cryogenic conditions.
• * Demonstrated precise sample positioning essential for ptychography.
• * Successfully imaged cryogenically fixed retina tissue and frozen-hydrated Chlamydomonas cells, comparing results with previous methods.

Conclusions:

• * The OMNY instrument provides a powerful new tool for nanoscale 3D imaging under preserved cryogenic conditions.
• * The system's precision positioning and cryogenic capabilities are suitable for a range of scientific investigations.
• * OMNY enables detailed structural analysis of delicate biological and material specimens.