The utilization of extremely small diameter x-ray beams is expected to become a routine experimental technique for researchers in materials science, biology, medicine, microelectronics, and many other scientific disciplines. While tapered glass-monocapillary optics have recently been developed to produce these microbeams, several technical issues have prevented this technology from achieving its full potential. First, it is difficult to produce capillaries having ideal taper profiles, extremely straight bores, and exceedingly low surface roughness. Secondly, the selection of materials suitable for fabricating the devices using conventional methods is narrow. This project will investigate an innovative approach for generating optics possessing optimized capillary shapes, in addition to allowing wide latitude in the material choice for the capillary interior. This will allow the highest possible microfocusing efficiency to be obtained for x-rays, as well as neutrons. Phase I will investigate the key technical issues regarding the viability of the fabrication process. Phase II will produce full size, high-performance microfocusing devices.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:The availability of optimized microfocusing elements should have a great impact on research at synchrotron radiation and neutron scattering facilities. Due to the dramatic growth in the number of beamlines at user facilities worldwide, a substantial commercial market for high-performance microfocusing optical-elements should exist. These devices should also find a much larger market for use with standard x-ray tubes.
