Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM)
NCSU presently makes use of two Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopes (STXM). One is the Stony Brook STXM located at beamline X-1A at the National Synchortron Light Source, the other at the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley. The X1A-STXM has been developed by a team headed by Prof. Jacobsen and Kirz from SUNY@Stony Brook. The ALS microscope is located at BL7.0 at the ALS and has been developed by a team headed by Prof. B. Tonner.
In a STXM, a zone plate produce a small x-ray probe through with the sample is mechanically scanned in order to produce a 2-dimensional image. Point NEXAFS spectra and image sequences at many energies can also be acquired.
A brochure (PDF format) about the Stony Brook STXM and research with it can be down loaded from the Stony Brook site (click here). This brochure will provide more details about how a STXM works.
Dedicated Polymer STXM at the ALS
The X-ray Microscopy group at NCSU is heading a team that is building a STXM dedicated to polymer research. It will be located at beamline 5.3.2 at the Advanced Light Source. NCSU is also a key partner in the upgrade of the BL7.0 STXM at the ALS. Both STXMs will use laser interferometry in order achieve higher scan precision during imaging and point spectrum data acquisition modes. We anticipate a spatial resolution of better than 40 nm and an intensity in the zone plate focus above 500,000 kHz. (more details). (fist results)
Last updated December 6, 2001 by Harald Ade; harald_ade@ncsu.edu