X-ray optics

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X-ray optics is the branch of optics which manipulates x-rays instead of visible light. While lenses for visible light are made of a transparent material with an index of refraction substantially different from 1, there is no equivalent material for x-rays. Therefore, the only methods of x-ray manipulation are through reflection, diffraction and interference effects. Examples of technologies in use include grazing incidence mirrors^[1]^[2]^[3], zone plates, bent crystals^[4], multilayer optics based systems, and microstructured optical arrays^[5].

Most x-ray optical elements (with the exception of grazing incidence mirrors) are very small in size, and must be designed for a particular incident angle and energy, thus limiting their applications in divergent radiation. Although the technology has advanced rapidly, its practical uses are still limited.

One of the applications showing greater promise is in enhancing both the contrast and resolution of mammographic images, compared to conventional anti-scatter grids.

[edit] References

^ Wolter, H. (1952). "Glancing Incidence Mirror Systems as Imaging Optics for X-rays". Ann. Physik 10: 94.
^ Wolter, H. (1952). "A Generalized Schwarschild Mirror Systems For Use at Glancing Incidence for X-ray Imaging". Ann. Physik 10: 286.
^ Rob Petre. X-ray Imaging Systems. NASA.
^ Pikuz, T.A.; Faenov, A.Ya.; Fraenkel, M.; Zigler, A.; Flora, F.; Bollanti, S.; Di Lazzaro, P.; Letardi, T.; Grilli, A.; Palladino, L.; Tomassetti, G.; Reale, A.; Reale, L.; Scafati, A.; Limongi, T.; Bonfigli, F.; Alainelli, L.; Sanchez del Rio, M. (2000). "Using spherically bent crystals for obtaining high-resolution, large-field, monochromatic X-ray backlighting imaging for wide range of Bragg angles" in Plasma Science. Proceedings of the 27th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science: 183.
^ {Kumakhov, MA (1990). "Channeling of photons and new X-ray optics". Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B 48,: 283--286.

[edit] See also

Wolter telescope A type of X-ray telescope built with glancing incidence mirrors
Chandra X-ray Observatory Orbiting observatory, uses X-ray optics
XMM-Newton Orbiting X-ray observatory, again using X-ray optics