Application of Polycapillary
Optics to Synchrotron Radiation Experiments
Polycapillary x-ray optics has been successfully used in laboratory-based x-ray analytical instruments for applications such as micro x-ray fluorescence and parallel-beam x-ray diffraction. The use of a polycapillary on synchrotron was demonstrated for the very first time in US at Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source in 1994. Since then polycapillary optics technology has undergone dramatic development and the optic performance has been significantly improved. The state-of-the-art focusing polycapillary optic can produce a focal spot less than 15 mm and a flux density three orders of magnitude higher than that obtained with a conventional collimator. This allows scientists to perform a variety of x-ray analysis on micro scale without having to spend hours or days to collect data.
This presentation will review the most recent advances in polycapillary optics and its applications on Synchrotron radiation. Main topics will include micro XRF, micro EXAFS/XANES, and micro computed tomography. While focusing is a major attribute to look at for a polycapillary optic when used on the excitation side, the use of the optic on the x-ray detection side will also be discussed. This includes using a polycapillary optic as a spatial filter for depth profiling, as a collimator for wavelength dispersive XRF analysis, and as a device to increase the collecting efficiency of detector systems. The performance characteristics of polycapillary optics will be reviewed and other possible applications on synchrotron radiation will be discussed.