| 1. |
- Bertilson, Michael C., et al.
(author)
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Zone plate efficiency measurements with a laser-plasma source
- 2007
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In: Advances in X-Ray/EUV Optics and Components II. - : SPIE. - 9780819468536 ; , s. F7050-F7050
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We demonstrate a compact instrument for rapid and accurate measurements of the absolute and local efficiency of soft x-ray zone plates in the water window [M. Bertilson, et al, Rev. Sci. Instrum 78, 026103 (2007)]. The arrangement is based on a new single-line lambda = 2.88 nm liquid-nitrogen-jet laser-plasma source. The versatility of the instrument enables micro and condenser zone plates with focal lengths in the range from similar to 200 mu m to similar to 100 mm to be measured. We demonstrate an accurate local efficiency map of a in-house fabricated micro zone plate. Furthermore, we show how this compact instrument allows rapid feedback to the fabrication process which is important for future improvements.
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| 2. |
- Bertilson, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Compact high-resolution differential interference contrast soft x-ray microscopy
- 2008
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In: Applied Physics Letters. - : AIP Publishing. - 0003-6951 .- 1077-3118. ; 92:064104
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We demonstrate high-resolution x-ray differential interference contrast (DIC) in a compact soft x-ray microscope. Phase contrast imaging is enabled by the use of a diffractive optical element objective which is matched to the coherence conditions in the microscope setup. The performance of the diffractive optical element objective is evaluated in comparison with a normal zone plate by imaging of a nickel siemens star pattern and linear grating test objects. Images obtained with the DIC optic exhibit typical DIC enhancement in addition to the normal absorption contrast. Contrast transfer functions based on modulation measurements in the obtained images show that the DIC optic gives a significant increase in contrast without reducing the spatial resolution. The phase contrast operation mode now available for our compact soft x-ray microscope will be a useful tool for future studies of samples with low absorption contrast.
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| 3. |
- Bertilson, Michael, et al.
(author)
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First application experiments with the Stockholm compact soft x-ray microscope
- 2009
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In: Journal of Physics, Conference Series. - : IOP Publishing. - 1742-6588 .- 1742-6596. ; 186
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Most soft x-ray microscopes operating in the water window (lambda = 2.3 - 4.4 nm) rely on synchrotron radiation sources. In the future we believe scientists will use soft x-ray microscopes as one imaging tool among others in their own laboratory. For this purpose we have developed a full field soft x-ray microscope with a laser-plasma source compact enough to fit on an optical table. In this contribution we describe the current status of this microscope now featuring stable operation at lambda = 3.37 nm or lambda = 2.48 nm. In-house fabricated single element zone plates offering the possibility to perform phase contrast imaging have been implemented. We also report on the first application experiments for compact soft x-ray microscopy, including results from studies of clay minerals and colloids existing in nature and results from phase optics experiments. Planned upgrades of the microscope include increasing the source brightness, implementing more efficient condenser optics, and installing a cryo sample stage for tomography. These improvements will open up for further applications, especially in the field of biological imaging.
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| 4. |
- Bertilson, Michael, et al.
(author)
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High-resolution computed tomography with a compact soft x-ray microscope
- 2009
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In: Optics Express. - 1094-4087. ; 17:13, s. 11057-11065
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Computed tomography based on high-resolution soft x-ray microscopy utilizes the natural contrast for biological specimens provided by the water window (lambda = 2.4 - 4.4 nm) and the high resolving power of zone plate objectives. It is capable of revealing the 3D structure of biological specimens at sub-visible-microscopic resolution. To date, the technique has only been available at synchrotron-based microscopes, which limits the researchers access. In the present paper we demonstrate high-resolution soft x-ray tomography with a laboratory zone-plate-based soft x-ray microscope. The specimen, a diatom mounted on a glass capillary, was reconstructed from a tilt series of 53 images covering 180 using a filtered back projection algorithm. The resolution of the tomogram was estimated to a half period of 140 nm using a differential-phase-residual method. Cryo-fixation, increased source brightness and extended-depth-of-focus objectives are important for pushing the resolution of compact systems for biological samples.
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| 5. |
- Bertilson, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Laboratory Soft X-Ray Cryo Tomography
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- X-rays allow quantitative high-spatial-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging of intact unstained cells. Such 3D imaging is provided by soft x-ray lens-based methods (water-window cryo tomography) and hard x-ray lens-less methods (coherent diffraction imaging) are emerging. However, both methods rely on high-brightness synchrotron-radiation sources, which limit the accessibility of a wider scientific community. Here we show 3D water-window cryo tomography with a laboratory-source-based microscope arrangement. The system relies on a λ=2.48-nm liquid-jet laser-plasma source, normal- incidence multilayer condenser optics, 30-nm zone-plate optics, and a cryo sample chamber. We demonstrate imaging of intact unstained yeast, protozoan parasites and mammalian cells. 3D images show noise-limited features close to ~100 nm and intra-cellular structure is classified based on the local absorption coefficient. A comprehensive theoretical model of the tomographic imaging system allows optimization of system parameters and a quantitative estimate of the 3D imaging accuracy. The model includes issues such as non-geometric projections of the thick samples and stray light, and is applicable to laboratory as well as synchrotron-based x-ray microscopes. The model shows that laboratory x-ray cryo tomography will allow quantitative 3D imaging with ~30-nm (half-period) resolution over a full 5 µm object.
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| 6. |
- Bertilson, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Laboratory soft-x-ray microscope for cryotomography of biological specimens
- 2011
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In: Optics Letters. - 0146-9592 .- 1539-4794. ; 36:14, s. 2728-2730
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Soft-x-ray cryotomography allows quantitative and high-resolution three-dimensional imaging of intact unstained cells. To date, the method relies on synchrotron-radiation sources, which limits accessibility for researchers. Here we present a laboratory water-window microscope for cryotomography. It is based on a lambda = 2.48nm liquid-jet laser-plasma source, a normal-incidence multilayer condenser, a 30nm zone-plate objective, and a cryotilt sample holder. We demonstrate high-resolution imaging, as well as quantitative tomographic imaging, of frozen intact cells. The reconstructed tomogram of the intracellular local absorption coefficient shows details down to similar to 100nm.
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| 7. |
- Bertilson, Michael, 1979-
(author)
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Laboratory soft x-ray microscopy and tomography
- 2011
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Soft x-ray microscopy in the water-window (λ = 2.28 nm – 4.36 nm) is based on zone-plate optics and allows high-resolution imaging of, e.g., cells and soils in their natural or near-natural environment. Three-dimensional imaging is provided via tomographic techniques, soft x-ray cryo tomography. However, soft x-ray microscopes with such capabilities have been based on large-scale synchrotron x‑ray facilities, thereby limiting their accessibility for a wider scientific community. This Thesis describes the development of the Stockholm laboratory soft x-ray microscope to three-dimensional cryo tomography and to new optics-based contrast mechanisms. The microscope relies on a methanol or nitrogen liquid-jet laser-plasma source, normal-incidence multilayer or zone-plate condenser optics, in-house fabricated zone-plate objectives, and allows operation at two wavelengths in the water-window, λ = 2.48 nm and λ = 2.48 nm. With the implementation of a new state-of-the-art normal-incidence multilayer condenser for operation at λ = 2.48 nm and a tiltable cryogenic sample stage the microscope now allows imaging of dry, wet or cryo-fixed samples. This arrangement was used for the first demonstration of laboratory soft x-ray cryo microscopy and tomography. The performance of the microscope has been demonstrated in a number of experiments described in this Thesis, including, tomographic imaging with a resolution of 140 nm, cryo microscopy and tomography of various cells and parasites, and for studies of aqueous soils and clays. The Thesis also describes the development and implementation of single-element differential-interference and Zernike phase-contrast zone-plate objectives. The enhanced contrast provided by these optics reduce exposure times or lowers the dose in samples and are of major importance for harder x-ray microscopy. The implementation of a high-resolution 50 nm compound zone-plate objective for sub-25-nm resolution imaging is also described. All experiments are supported by extensive numerical modelling for improved understanding of partially coherent image formation and stray light in soft x-ray microscopes. The models are useful tools for studying effects of zone plate optics or optical design of the microscope on image formation and quantitative accuracy in soft x-ray tomography.
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| 8. |
- Bertilson, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Numerical model for tomographic image formation in transmission x-ray microscopy
- 2011
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In: Optics Express. - 1094-4087. ; 19:12, s. 11578-11583
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a numerical image-formation model for investigating the influence of partial coherence, sample thickness and depth-of-focus on the accuracy of tomographic reconstructions in transmission x-ray microscopes. The model combines wave propagation through the object by finite difference techniques with Fourier methods. We include a ray-tracing model to analyse the origin of detrimental stray light in zone plate-based x-ray microscopes. These models allow optimization of x-ray microscopy systems for quantitative tomographic imaging of thick objects. Results show that both the depth-of-focus and the reconstructed local absorption coefficient are highly dependent on the degree of coherence of the optical system.
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| 9. |
- Brunskog, Rickard, et al.
(author)
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Non-prewhitening Observer Applied on Grating-Based and Grating-Less Phase-Contrast Imaging A Simulation Study
- 2024
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In: Medical Imaging 2024: Physics of Medical Imaging. - : SPIE-Intl Soc Optical Eng.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: When implementing differential phase-contrast imaging with current CT detectors the limited pixel size forces one to scan an analyser-grating in front of the detector to resolve the interference pattern. This simulation study compares the approach of using an analyser-grating and the approach of using a high-resolution detector to directly resolve the interference pattern by applying the non-prewhitening observer on dose-matched simulated CT scan reconstructions of the two approaches. Approach: A phantom with two concentric cylinders is used and 1000 CT scans are generated with the inner cylinder present and not present. The non-prewhitening observer is applied to the samples and the ROC curve is extracted, together with the results of a 2AFC test, the CNR, and the detectability. Results: The high-resolution approach shows a 20% increase in the phase AUC compared to the grating-based approach, with a similar increase in the 2AFC test score. The image CNR of the phase shows an increase of 134%, with the detectability increasing by 138% when compared to the grating based approach. Conclusions: An ultra-high-resolution detector, capable of directly resolving the interference pattern of differential phase-contrast imaging could change medical imaging CT as we know it. The implementation in a clinical CT would be simpler, could lower cost, and increase the dose-efficiency due to the obviation of the G2-grating, and at the same time provide an additional two diagnostic signals.
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| 10. |
- Gleber, S. -C, et al.
(author)
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X-ray stereo microscopy for investigation of dynamics in soils
- 2009
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In: Journal of Physics, Conference Series. - : IOP Publishing. - 1742-6588 .- 1742-6596. ; 186, s. 012104-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The here presented combination of stereo imaging and elemental mapping with soft X-ray microscopy reveals the spatial arrangement of naturally aqueous colloidal systems, e.g. iron oxides in soil colloid clusters. Changes in the spatial arrangement can be induced by manipulating the sample in-situ and thus be investigated directly and as a function of time.
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