X-ray microscopes

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Scientific American; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0291-88· OSTI ID:5166390

Howells, M R; Kirz, J; Sayre, D

The new x-ray microscopes considerably improve on the resolution of optical microscopes. They can also be used to map the distribution of certain chemical elements. Some can form pictures in extremely short times, and some hold the promise of special capabilities such as three-dimensional imaging. Unlike conventional electron microscopy, x-ray microscopy enables specimens to be kept in air and in water, which means that biological samples can be studied under conditions similar to their natural state. The illumination used, so-called soft x rays in the wavelength range of 20 to 40 angstroms (an angstrom is one ten-billionth of a meter), is also sufficiently penetrating to image intact biological cells in many cases. Because of the wavelength of the x rays used, soft x-ray microscopes will never match the highest resolution possible with electron microscopes. Rather their special properties will make possible investigations that will complement those performed with light- and electron-based instruments.

• OSTI ID: 5166390
• Journal Information: Scientific American; (United States), Journal Name: Scientific American; (United States) Vol. 264:2; ISSN SCAMA; ISSN 0036-8733
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440800* -- Miscellaneous Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
AIR
BRIGHTNESS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMAGES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MICROSCOPES
MICROSCOPY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
RESOLUTION
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION SOURCES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
USES
WATER
X RADIATION
X-RAY EQUIPMENT
X-RAY SOURCES