ABSTRACT
Image magnification via twofold asymmetric Bragg reflection (a setup called the "Bragg Magnifier") is a recently established technique allowing to achieve both sub-micrometer spatial resolution and phase contrast in X-ray imaging. The present article extends a previously developed theoretical formalism to account for partially coherent illumination. At a typical synchrotron setup polychromatic illumination is identified as the main influence of partial coherence and the implications on imaging characteristics are analyzed by numerical simulations. We show that contrast decreases by about 50% when compared to the monochromatic case, while sub-micrometer spatial resolution is preserved. The theoretical formalism is experimentally verified by correctly describing the dispersive interaction of the two orthogonal magnifier crystals, an effect that has to be taken into account for precise data evaluation.
Subject(s)
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Optics and Photonics , Algorithms , Computer Simulation , Equipment Design , Fourier Analysis , Models, Statistical , Models, Theoretical , Synchrotrons , X-RaysABSTRACT
An extension of the theoretical formalism of Fresnel diffraction to the case of an inclined image plane is proposed. The resulting numerical algorithm speeds up computation times by typically three orders of magnitude, thus opening the possibility of utilizing previously inapplicable image analysis algorithms for this special type of a non shift-invariant imaging system. This is exemplified by adapting an iterative phase retrieval algorithm developed for electron microscopy to the case of hard x-ray imaging with asymmetric Bragg reflection (the so-called "Bragg Magnifier"). Numerical simulations demonstrate the convergence and feasibility of the iterative phase retrieval algorithm for the case of x-ray imaging with the Bragg Magnifier.
Subject(s)
Models, Theoretical , Refractometry/methods , Computer Simulation , Light , Scattering, RadiationABSTRACT
Differences in mosaicity between lysozyme crystals grown inside and outside a homogeneous magnetic field of 2.4 T and with and without agarose gel were investigated by X-ray diffraction rocking-curve measurements. High angular resolution was achieved using an Si(113) four-reflection Bartels monochromator. The results show that (i) all crystals were highly perfect, (ii) the mosaicities were clearly anisotropic and (iii) the mosaicities varied more strongly within each group of crystals (grown under identical conditions) than the average values across groups. In particular, the effect of the magnetic field on crystal mosaicity was found to be very small. Finally, the spatial distribution of mosaic blocks inside a protein crystal was visualized with a novel diffraction technique using a high spatial resolution two-dimensional CCD detector.
Subject(s)
Biochemistry/methods , Crystallography, X-Ray/methods , Proteins/chemistry , Animals , Crystallization , Crystallography, X-Ray/instrumentation , Magnetics , Muramidase/chemistryABSTRACT
The Ga(84)R(20)(4-) [R = N(SiMe(3))(2)] species, which represents the largest metalloid cluster entity structurally characterized so far, has been electronically and topologically modified: Via changing the redox potential of the reaction solution, crystals different from those containing the Ga(84)R(20)(4-) anion can be isolated, featuring similar Ga(84)R(20)(3-) entities. An accurate crystal structure analysis via synchrotron radiation is presented, which might be the first step toward an understanding of the metallic conductivity and superconductivity of the Ga(84)R(20)(4-) cluster compound, physical properties which are singular in the field of metalloid clusters so far.
