Ultra-fast Coherent Diffraction Imaging of Single Particles, Clusters and Biomolecules
Theoretical studies and simulations predict that with a very short and very intense coherent X-ray pulse a single diffraction pattern may be recorded from a large macromolecule, a virus, or a cell without the need for crystalline periodicity. Measurement of the over-sampled X-ray diffraction pattern permits phase retrieval and hence structure determination. Although individual samples will be destroyed by the very intense X-ray pulse, a three-dimensional data set could be assembled when copies of a reproducible sample are exposed to the beam one by one. The challenges in carrying out such an experiment requires an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon structural biology, atomic and plasma physics, mathematics, statistics, and XFEL physics. The potential for breakthrough science in this area is great with impact not only in the biological areas but wherever structural information at or near atomic resolution on the nanoscale is valuable.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 900146
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-TR-225072; TRN: US0702213
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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