Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NanoXCAN (Nanoscale virus imaging X-ray microscope based on incoherent diffraction)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-05-01 al 2023-04-30
The goal of NanoXCAN is to develop a tabletop virus imaging X-ray microscope. Xrays have the advantage of performing in-situ non-destructive and non-invasive imaging compared to electron or super-resolution microscopy. They can also be element specific. Such a microscope does not currently exist, and therefore its foreseeable impact as revolutionary as the invention of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy (Betzig, Hell and Moerner, Nobel prize 2014). Our approach and methodology are based on the development of new technologies, concepts and modelling. Three, highly ambitious, key achievements must come together to fulfill this main objective.
For the success of NanoXCan, our consortium is working on the development of:
1. A new X-ray nano-imaging technology, Incoherent Diffraction Imaging or IDI (WP3),
that relies on the development of:
2. A new, high brightness, X-ray nano-source (WP2),which is made possible thanks to:
3. A new high average power tabletop laser (WP1)
For the success of NanoXCan, our consortium is working on the development of:
1. A new X-ray nano-imaging technology, Incoherent Diffraction Imaging or IDI (WP3),
that relies on the development of:
2. A new, high brightness, X-ray nano-source (WP2),which is made possible thanks to:
3. A new high average power tabletop laser (WP1)
A cooperation agreement was established between EP and n2-Photonics for the development of two Post-compression Cells for NanoXCan. Some of the mirrors will be provided by Naneo. Two MPC have been commissioned at EP premises. Preliminary tests are promising in terms of gained bandwidth whereas actual post compression will be performed later this year. So far, efficiencies over 95% have been obtained in the first stage compression. Vortex beams were sent through one MPC without significant beam degradation. The decision to use two consecutive PCS was supported by work performed at IST, where
two different post-compression systems were tested. At the L2I facility at IST, a PhD student had developed with Jena and n2-Photonics a multipass Herriot cell on a 100kHz Amphos laser. With high repetition rate capability, the post-compression reached 100 fs from an initially 1ps pulse, with 85% efficiency.
In Machine learning electric field control process we advanced the targeted digital control of laser focus at IST, in collaboration with EP, with several developments. An important step is to develop a novel algorithm aiming at deriving the near field optimal phase, amplitude and polarization transverse distributions, to obtain any arbitrary focal plane electric field distribution such as optical needles. During RP1, the OSIRIS developed by Prof. Luis Silva’s EPP team at IST, was upgraded so that arbitrary pulses (distorted wavefront gaussian beams, Vortex beams, Bessel–Gauss, Finite-energy Airy, Hermite–Gauss beams, Laguerre–Gauss , Vector vortex beams...) can now be input in the simulation. Experiments have started at IST with a high power Spatial Light Modulator for the kHz Ti:Sa laser at the VOXEL laboratory. The dataset produced by these students will be incorporated in the Graduation project of an MSc student from the Data Science Masters at IST.
A system for the generation of nanoparticles at high repetition rate was demonstrated at LUH. Tests on the X-ray yield from these particles, both experimentally and numerically were very promising.
Finally a first version of IDI imaging software was made. Studies are ongoing for its upgrade to make it more robust to SNR issues.
two different post-compression systems were tested. At the L2I facility at IST, a PhD student had developed with Jena and n2-Photonics a multipass Herriot cell on a 100kHz Amphos laser. With high repetition rate capability, the post-compression reached 100 fs from an initially 1ps pulse, with 85% efficiency.
In Machine learning electric field control process we advanced the targeted digital control of laser focus at IST, in collaboration with EP, with several developments. An important step is to develop a novel algorithm aiming at deriving the near field optimal phase, amplitude and polarization transverse distributions, to obtain any arbitrary focal plane electric field distribution such as optical needles. During RP1, the OSIRIS developed by Prof. Luis Silva’s EPP team at IST, was upgraded so that arbitrary pulses (distorted wavefront gaussian beams, Vortex beams, Bessel–Gauss, Finite-energy Airy, Hermite–Gauss beams, Laguerre–Gauss , Vector vortex beams...) can now be input in the simulation. Experiments have started at IST with a high power Spatial Light Modulator for the kHz Ti:Sa laser at the VOXEL laboratory. The dataset produced by these students will be incorporated in the Graduation project of an MSc student from the Data Science Masters at IST.
A system for the generation of nanoparticles at high repetition rate was demonstrated at LUH. Tests on the X-ray yield from these particles, both experimentally and numerically were very promising.
Finally a first version of IDI imaging software was made. Studies are ongoing for its upgrade to make it more robust to SNR issues.
Several developments already have an appreciable impact in year I of the project. The work was focused mostly on the development of the laser, and the Ka generation optimisation, from which depends the success of the rest of the project.
The realisation of phase control and the ability to post-compress the MHz digital laser at very high average power and compatible with relativistic intensities at focus was demonstrated. This has implications in several areas beyond X-ray imaging. Two potentially viable commercial products have been developed during the first year: an active polarisation plate and high bandwidth, high average power mirrors. These have the potential for creating a novel market in the high repetition rate laser industry.
The development of a compact source of X-rays has progressed thanks to the development of sub-micron scale targets and numerical optimisation of laser-particle interaction. While further studies are needed to quantify the final source brightness, if successful these new Ka sources will have a very broad impact beyond imaging in the Incoherent Diffractive Imaging configuration - even as simple as point projection microscopy.
The realisation of phase control and the ability to post-compress the MHz digital laser at very high average power and compatible with relativistic intensities at focus was demonstrated. This has implications in several areas beyond X-ray imaging. Two potentially viable commercial products have been developed during the first year: an active polarisation plate and high bandwidth, high average power mirrors. These have the potential for creating a novel market in the high repetition rate laser industry.
The development of a compact source of X-rays has progressed thanks to the development of sub-micron scale targets and numerical optimisation of laser-particle interaction. While further studies are needed to quantify the final source brightness, if successful these new Ka sources will have a very broad impact beyond imaging in the Incoherent Diffractive Imaging configuration - even as simple as point projection microscopy.