Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Using Synchrotron Radiation Microtomography to Investigate Multi-scale Three-dimensional Microelectronic Packages
Published on: April 13, 2016
Soft X-rays with orbital angular momentum for resonant scattering experiments at Synchrotron SOLEIL.
Pietro Carrara1, Franck Fortuna2, Renaud Delaunay3
1Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des NanoSciences de Paris, INSP, 75005 Paris, France.
Researchers developed a new setup for twisted X-ray beams at Synchrotron SOLEIL. This enables advanced absorption and scattering experiments using orbital angular momentum (OAM) with X-ray beams.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Optics
Background:
- Synchrotron SOLEIL's SEXTANTS beamline facilitates advanced X-ray experiments.
- Orbital angular momentum (OAM) in X-ray beams, or twisted X-ray beams, offers novel experimental possibilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a new experimental setup for generating and utilizing twisted X-ray beams at the SEXTANTS beamline.
- To demonstrate methods for defining, assessing, and manipulating the OAM of X-ray beams.
- To assess the feasibility of future user experiments using twisted X-rays.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of two methods for OAM manipulation: spiral zone plates and fork grating devices.
- Demonstration of cascading devices for integer operations on the OAM of X-ray beams.
- Conducting pilot resonant scattering experiments in transmission and reflection modes.
Main Results:
- Successful implementation and commissioning of the new setup for twisted X-ray beams.
- Validation of spiral zone plates and fork gratings for OAM definition and assessment.
- Demonstration of OAM manipulation through device cascading.
- Successful pilot experiments in resonant scattering, showing feasibility for future measurements.
Conclusions:
- The new setup expands the capabilities of the SEXTANTS beamline with twisted soft X-rays.
- This advancement complements existing elastic, resonant, and coherent scattering techniques.
- The availability of twisted X-rays opens new avenues for advanced materials characterization and fundamental research.
Related Concept Videos
X-ray Crystallography
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal crystal...
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
X-ray Imaging
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Radiation and Light Sources
Two common narrow-range 'line' sources used in AAS are hollow-cathode lamps (HCLs) and...
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

