1. |
- Pearce, Neil E, et al.
(author)
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IARC Monographs : 40 Years of Evaluating Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans
- 2015
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In: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 123:6, s. 507-514
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Recently the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Programme for the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans has been criticized for several of its evaluations, and also the approach used to perform these evaluations. Some critics have claimed that IARC Working Groups' failures to recognize study weaknesses and biases of Working Group members have led to inappropriate classification of a number of agents as carcinogenic to humans.OBJECTIVES: The authors of this paper are scientists from various disciplines relevant to the identification and hazard evaluation of human carcinogens. We have examined here criticisms of the IARC classification process to determine the validity of these concerns. We review the history of IARC evaluations and describe how the IARC evaluations are performed.DISCUSSION: We conclude that these recent criticisms are unconvincing. The procedures employed by IARC to assemble Working Groups of scientists from the various discipline and the techniques followed to review the literature and perform hazard assessment of various agents provide a balanced evaluation and an appropriate indication of the weight of the evidence. Some disagreement by individual scientists to some evaluations is not evidence of process failure. The review process has been modified over time and will undoubtedly be altered in the future to improve the process. Any process can in theory be improved, and we would support continued review and improvement of the IARC processes. This does not mean, however, that the current procedures are flawed.CONCLUSIONS: The IARC Monographs have made, and continue to make, major contributions to the scientific underpinning for societal actions to improve the public's health.
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2. |
- Berglund, M., et al.
(author)
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Compact water-window transmission X-ray microscopy
- 2000
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In: Journal of Microscopy. - : Wiley. - 0022-2720 .- 1365-2818. ; 197, s. 268-273
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We demonstrate sub-100 nm resolution water-window soft X-ray full-field transmission microscopy with a compact system. The microscope operates at lambda = 3.37 nm and is based on a 100 Hz table-top regenerative debris-free droplet-target laser-plasma X-ray source in combination with normal-incidence multilayer condenser optics for sample illumination. High-spatial-resolution imaging is performed with a 7.3% efficiency nickel zone plate and a 1024 x 1024 pixel CCD detector. Images of dry test samples are recorded with exposure times of a few minutes and show features smaller than 60 nm.
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3. |
- Hansson, B. A. M., et al.
(author)
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A liquid-xenon-jet laser-plasma X-ray and EUV source
- 2000
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In: Microelectronic Engineering. - 0167-9317 .- 1873-5568. ; 53:04-jan, s. 667-670
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We describe a laser-plasma soft-x-ray source based on a cryogenic-xenon liquid-jet target. The source is suitable for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) projection lithography and proximity x-ray lithography (PXL). Absolute calibrated spectra in the 1-2 nm range and uncalibrated spectra in the 9-15 nm range are obtained using a free-standing transmission grating and a CCD-detector.
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4. |
- Hansson, B. A. M., et al.
(author)
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Characterisation of a liquid-xenon jet laser-plasma extreme-ultraviolet source
- 2004
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In: Review of Scientific Instruments. - : AIP Publishing. - 0034-6748 .- 1089-7623. ; 75:6, s. 2122-2129
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A liquid-xenon-jet laser-plasma source for extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and soft-x-ray generation has been characterized. Being a source candidate for EUV lithography (EUVL), we especially focus on parameters important for the integration of the source in EUVL systems. The deep-ultraviolet (DUV) out-of-band radiation (=120–400 nm) was quantified, to within a factor of two, using a flying-circus tool together with a transmission-grating spectrograph resulting in a total DUV conversion efficiency (CE) of ~0.33%/2sr. The size and the shape of the xenon plasma was investigated using an in-band-only EUV microscope, based on a spherical Mo/Si multilayer mirror and a charge-coupled device detector. Scalability of the source size from 20–270 µm full width at half maximum was shown. The maximum repetition-rate sustainable by the liquid-xenon-jet target was simulated by a double-pulse experiment indicating feasibility of >17 kHz operation. The xenon-ion energy distribution from the plasma was determined in a time-of-flight experiment with a Faraday-cup detector showing the presence of multi-kilo-electron-volt ions. Sputtering of silicon witness plates exposed to the plasma was observed, while a xenon background of >1 mbar was shown to eliminate the sputtering. It is concluded that the source has potential to meet the requirements of future EUVL systems.
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5. |
- Hemberg, O., et al.
(author)
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Stability of droplet-target laser-plasma soft x-ray sources
- 2000
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In: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 88:9, s. 5421-5425
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The spatial stability of microscopic target droplets used for laser-plasma soft x-ray generation in vacuum is investigated. A long-term drift in drop position is characterized with an ultrafast laser-diode imaging system. The drift is experimentally and theoretically shown to be due to a temperature-induced increase in target-liquid viscosity as a result of evaporation. Finally, the drift is compensated for and stable, long-term unattended operation of the source is demonstrated with an automatic phase-delay drop-to-laser synchronizing system. This is important for future compact lithography and microscopy systems.
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6. |
- Hertz, Hans M., et al.
(author)
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Electron-Impact Liquid-Metal-Jet Hard x-Ray Sources
- 2014
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In: Comprehensive Biomedical Physics. - : Elsevier. - 9780444536327 ; , s. 91-109
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The power and brightness of electron-impact microfocus x-ray sources have long been limited by thermal damage in the target. This is a major constraint for a wide range of biomedical applications, from imaging to diffraction. Here, we describe the development of an x-ray microfocus source based on a new target concept, the liquid-metal jet (LMJ). The regenerative nature of this target allows for significantly higher e-beam power density than on conventional targets, resulting in this source showing promise for >. 100. × higher brightness than state-of-the-art sources. We first discuss the basic physics of the two important subsystems of the source, LMJ in vacuum and focused electron-beam systems, and then describe the properties of several versions of the source, from early prototypes to the first LMJ sources now reaching the market. Finally, we review some early applications of the source for biomedical imaging and diffraction.
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7. |
- Hertz, Hans M., et al.
(author)
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Laboratory x-ray micro imaging : Sources, optics, systems and applications
- 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
- We summarize the recent progress in laboratory-scale soft and hard x-ray micro imaging in Stockholm. Our soft x-ray work is based on liquid-jet laser-plasma sources which are combined with diffractive and multilayer optics to form laboratory x-ray microscopes. In the hard x-ray regime the imaging is based on a liquid-metal-jet electron-impact source which provides the necessary coherence to allow phase-contrast imaging with high fidelity.
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8. |
- Hertz, Hans M., et al.
(author)
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Liquid-jet laser-plasma X-ray sources for microscopy and lithography
- 2001
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In: Journal de Physique IV. - : EDP Sciences. - 1155-4339 .- 1764-7177. ; 11:PR2, s. 389-396
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We review the development of compact laser-plasma soft x-ray sources based on microscopic liquid-drop or liquid-jet targets. It is shown that such sources provide practically debris-free, high-flux operation at water-window and EUV wavelengths. This regenerative and solid-density target system holds promise for the generation of high-average power using high-repetition-rate lasers. Application of the source to compact x-ray microscopy, multi layer-op tics characterization and EUV lithography is briefly discussed.
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9. |
- Legall, H., et al.
(author)
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A compact laboratory transmission X-ray microscope for the water window
- 2013
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In: Journal of Physics, Conference Series. - : IOP Publishing. - 1742-6588 .- 1742-6596. ; 463:1, s. 012013-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the water window (2.2-4.4 nm) the attenuation of radiation in water is significantly smaller than in organic material. Therefore, intact biological specimen (e.g. cells) can be investigated in their natural environment. In order to make this technique accessible to users in a laboratory environment a Full-Field Laboratory Transmission X-ray Microscope (L-TXM) has been developed. The L-TXM is operated with a nitrogen laser plasma source employing an InnoSlab high power laser system for plasma generation. For microscopy the Ly α emission of highly ionized nitrogen at 2.48 nm is used. A laser plasma brightness of 5 × 1011 photons/(s × sr × μm2 in line at 2.48 nm) at a laser power of 70 W is demonstrated. In combination with a state-of-the-art Cr/V multilayer condenser mirror the sample is illuminated with 106 photons/(μm2 × s). Using objective zone plates 35-40 nm lines can be resolved with exposure times < 60 s. The exposure time can be further reduced to 20 s by the use of new multilayer condenser optics and operating the laser at its full power of 130 W. These exposure times enable cryo tomography in a laboratory environment.
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10. |
- Legall, H., et al.
(author)
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Compact X-ray microscope for the water window based on a high brightness laser plasma source
- 2012
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In: Optics Express. - 1094-4087. ; 20:16, s. 18362-18369
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a laser plasma based x-ray microscope for the water window employing a high-average power laser system for plasma generation. At 90 W laser power a brightness of 7.4 x 10(11) photons/(s x sr x mu m(2)) was measured for the nitrogen Ly alpha line emission at 2.478 nm. Using a multilayer condenser mirror with 0.3 % reflectivity 10(6) photons/(mu m(2) x s) were obtained in the object plane. Microscopy performed at a laser power of 60 W resolves 40 nm lines with an exposure time of 60 s. The exposure time can be further reduced to 20 s by the use of new multilayer condenser optics and operating the laser at its full power of 130 W.
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