RESUMEN
Since its invention in 1930, Zernike phase contrast has been a pillar in optical microscopy and more recently in x-ray microscopy, in particular for low-absorption-contrast biological specimens. We experimentally demonstrate that hard-x-ray Zernike microscopy now reaches a lateral resolution below 30 nm while strongly enhancing the contrast, thus opening many new research opportunities in biomedicine and materials science.
Asunto(s)
Microscopía/métodos , Animales , Línea Celular Tumoral , Técnicas de Cocultivo , Oro/química , Nanopartículas del Metal , Ratones , Poliestirenos/química , Rayos XRESUMEN
The fabrication of devices to focus hard x-rays is one of the most difficult-and important-challenges in nanotechnology. Here we show that Fresnel zone plates combining 30 nm external zones and a high aspect ratio finally bring hard x-ray microscopy beyond the 30 nm Rayleigh spatial resolution level and measurable spatial frequencies down to 20-23 nm feature size. After presenting the overall nanofabrication process and the characterization test results, we discuss the potential research impact of these resolution levels.