DMCA
Advances in Computational Methods for X-Ray Optics III, 92090A; References
BibTeX
@MISC{Zernike_advancesin,
author = {F Zernike and M Stampanoni},
title = {Advances in Computational Methods for X-Ray Optics III, 92090A; References},
year = {}
}
OpenURL
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives Transition metal concentrations in the central nervous system (CNS) are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis. A common symptom of these diseases is demyelination, which is the degradation of the myelin sheath that encapsulates the neurons in vertebrates. A dysmyelinating rodent model (Long Evans Shaker (LES) rodents) was used to characterize the transition metal concentrations in the central nervous system compared to its age-matched controls, to elucidate the contingency between transition metals and myelination in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in regions of grey matter and white matter have been compared between Shaker rodents and their agematched Long Evans (LE) controls in the cerebellum and spinal cord, using micro probe Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence (µSRXRF). Results and Discussion In the cerebellum, the concentration of all elements were significantly increased in the white matter of the Shaker model, and decreased in the gray matter of the Shaker model in comparison to their age and region matched controls. In the spinal cord samples, concentrations of all metals were higher in white matter and grey matter of Shaker rat spinal cord compared to those in the control rat spinal cord. This study demonstrated that µSRXRF sensitivity is sufficient to discriminate between the elemental distributions of gray and white of the brain sections and spinal cords in the two groups. The observed significant increase of Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu in the white matter of the Shaker animals in the cerebellum and spinal cord compared to controls could be the result of astrocytic glial cells replacing the myelin in the CNS [1]. Unlike other imaging techniques, the fine resolution of µSRXRF enables specific regions of gray matter structures namely, the molecular layer and the granule layer to be identified in the rat CNS, and their transition metal concentrations to be quantified. Conclusions This work will further establish µSRXRF as a powerful analytic technique for compositional studies in brain sections from models of brain disease. If further µSRXRF studies could be carried out, a final atlas could be created to represent the expected levels of transition metals in central nervous system of healthy animals, which is currently missing in literature. Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy Mapping on Electrodes for Li-ion Batteries Introduction and Objectives Capacity fade caused in part by leaching of transition metals is one of the major challenges for promising high energy battery materials such as the high voltage LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) spinel. The leaching process produces chemical and morphological inhomogeneities and such heterogeneities were identified as major contributions to capacity fade and aging of the battery. Fast scanning micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (Micro-XRF) at medium spatial resolution (500 nm) and over millimeter ranges utilizing a Maia fluorescence detector was used to characterize the effects of cycling rate and state of charge on the elemental distribution (Ni, Mn) for LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 /carbon composite electrodes in LNMO/Li [1]. Charge distribution is imaged by mapping the Ni-oxidation state by acquisition of a stack of elemental maps at multiple energies in the vicinity of the Ni K-edge (XANES mapping). The large solid angle provided by a 384 detector element array in combination with streamlined data handling and processing yields exposure times in the millisecond range and thus makes such detailed investigations feasible. Results and Discussion Conclusions While these measurements give a first overview and characterize the ongoing processes of degradation, we envision further studies in operando. This will allow us to follow the mechanism causing the inhomogeneities and characterize it in more detail. In addition, micro-XRF in 2 and 3 dimensions is a valuable tool to characterize the leached transition metals, which are partially deposited on the graphitic anode and thereby further reducing the capacity of the battery. In this presentation, we will show that, after solving some challenging technical problems, the applications in hard X-rays can provided interesting results in this field. References Results and Discussion The new design of our instrument comprises a reduction of the typical artifacts in Zernike phase imaging [4] and the possibility to easily and quickly change the X-ray Energy for the full-field microscope in the energy range of 8-20 keV [5]. This opens the possibility to fine tune the acquisition energy according to the sample and also to distinguish different materials by K-edge imaging. The setup is built in such a way that the sample position remains fixed and the condenser is placed at the appropriate focusing distance for the working energy. The magnification is also fixed, i.e. a constant pixel size of 50nm, thanks to the design of a set of FZPs with different diameters for the used photon energy range. In the particular case of Nb 3 Sn filament, used in superconductive wires, we will show that high energy ZPC provides 3D nanostructure details not accessible before and give complementary information to absorption imaging. Conclusions Our Full Field ZPC setup is working from 8 to 20 keV with a spatial resolution down to 150 nm both in absorption and phase contrast mode. This opens a wide range of application in materials sciences, as it will be shown in different applications during this talk. Xrt is an open source framework for ray tracing in x-ray regime [1]. We provide basic classes for realistic synchrotron sources and various optical elements (mirrors, crystals, gratings, zone plates, compound refractive lenses etc.) and the engine for accurate calculation of the x-ray beam propagation. Due to high efficiency of the code and no limitation on the number of rays, in a reasonable time frame (seconds to minutes) the user can obtain both high resolution beam profiles and reliable estimation for the total intensity/power/flux values. Color coding can be used to demonstrate spectral characteristics of the beam on the same figures simultaneously with intensity distribution. In the most recent version we present the full wave propagation mode that accounts for the diffraction effects on any optical element via the Kirchhoff integral calculation. We introduced the dedicated single electron wave generation mode to address partially coherent beam propagation. As the transition from rays to wave formalism leads to exponential growth of computational complexity, most critical calculations can now be delegated to the GPU via CUDA or OpenCL. Introduction and Objectives The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recently commissioned jointly with the Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste a multi-purpose X-ray spectrometry facility as the endstation of XRF bending magnet beamline. Exciting energies from about 3.8 -14 keV are currently available using a Si(111) double crystal monochromator with a resolving power of 1.5•10 , whereas certain upgrades are foreseen for the near future [1]. The endstation facility was developed to operate primarily under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions, but non-UHV compatible samples can be also accommodated. The main instrument of this facility is a motorized 7-axis manipulator allowing 3 linear translations (x/y/z) and 2 rotational (theta/phi) degrees of freedom for the sample alignment. A coupled theta-2theta goniometer offers the option for performing simultaneously GI-XRF and XRR scans using several photo-diodes mounted on a separate linear stage. An ultra thin window SDD detector is employed for X-ray fluorescence experiments, whereas an intuitive GUI based on LabView software allows controlling all UHV chamber actuators/detectors. The endstation is based on a prototype designed by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and the Technical University of Berlin, Germany (TUB) [2], whereas its technical specifications were evaluated by the PTB [3]. Results and Discussion First results from the application of GI-XRF/XRR and TXRF-XANES analytical methodologies for the characterization of various nano-structured materials and environmental samples will be presented and discussed to highlight the analytical merits and capabilities of this new X-ray spectrometry facility that is available for external users [4]. Conclusions Research projects from the IAEA member states are very welcome. References Introduction and Objectives Within this examination we visualized granule cells from a human brain. Granule cells -predominating in the granular layer of cerebellar cortex and rendering its characteristic microscopic picture, possess one of the smallest somas of all neurons (ca. 4 µm) make them most numerable population of neurons in the whole brain, estimated even to one half of all brain neurons. A small piece of cerebellum was scanned with a full-field X-ray tomography in a cryogenic-vacuum environment, a new development available for users at PETRA III P06 beamline at DESY. The scanning, emission X-ray fluorescence tomography was employed to find any inhomogeneities and fine structures in the element composition at a sub-tissue level. Results and Discussion An X-ray attenuation contrast below 12% in tomograms, recorded at a small radiation dose of ca. 10 3 Gy, with a spatial resolution of 1.1 µm, was sufficient enough to distinguish between different sub-structures where mass density varies relatively less than 10%. Cell nuclei from granule neurons are clearly visible in tomography slices Conclusions The experiment proves that cell nuclei are slightly more dense than the surrounding cell plasma. Autolysis in the granular layer was confirmed. This experiment opens up the way for any future investigation to clarify e.g. the reason of brain death in forensic pathology. We have also proven that the new cryogenicvacuum environment installed at PETRA III P06 beamline at DESY is a reliable instrument for bioimaging with hard X-rays. Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics They at the SR XFA station on VEPP-3 have developed an X-ray confocal microscope (XCM) with pair of polycapillary lenses used as X-ray optical elements. These lenses are very sensitive to adjustment of the angles of beam incidence. Since the station is intended for a variety of tasks besides the XCM, the position of the front lens may vary uncontrollably. Therefore, prior to experiments of elemental mapping it is necessary to adjust the X-ray unit. We have developed a two-coordinate unified procedure of periodic adjustment of the polycapillary lenses by fluorescence signal. The automated adjustment of the first lens is performed based on two angle coordinates relative to the SR beam; the second lens is adjusted by two linear coordinates in a plane perpendicular to the cross section of the lens. The adjustment process takes less than one hour. The optimality of the angle settings can be determined from the signal maximum; the position adjustment can be assessed from the shape of the curve of the instrument function. Some problems under study at the experimental station require disalignment of the XCM for a larger confocal volume. With a non-optimal setting of beam position relative to the axis of the front lens, the instrument function is asymmetric. This dependence is well approximated with expression [1]: where A=A(E) is the maximum recorded signal value; w=w(x,y)≡{w 1 (x): y<0; w 2 (x): y≥0} is the the waist width parameter; x is the coordinate of the wire along the incident radiation beam relative to the focus of the lens; y is the transverse coordinate of the wire. The asymmetry of the first lens is defined by the linear displacement of its axis with respect to the SR beam axis. Performing one-dimensional scanning with the wire at first in the horizontal plane of the beam cross section and then in the vertical plane, we obtain the profile of the distribution of asymmetric Gaussian beam. Using the FWHM values of the approximated dependencies, one can obtain correction factors for lens alignment. Using this procedure, one can adjust the lens in five coordinates for problems of X-ray confocal microscopy with disalignment. This work was supported by RFBR grant number 14-02-00631. In some micro XFA problems (investigation into biological cells, dust mites, layered samples etc.) it is desirable to attain to a spatial resolution of a few microns, still using polycapillary optics with their advantages, including the high radiation transmission ratio and compactness. The relevant methods are based on the solution to a three-dimensional deconvolution equation, which is reducible to a block system of linear equations [2]. There are a lot of computational methods for solving such inverse problems, and good results can be achieved by a number of ways. In the widespread Tikhonov's method of regularization, the use of the singular (SVD) or spectral decomposition of the resulting block matrix can significantly reduce the computation time [2], and the solution may depend on the chosen decomposition basis (depending on the source of the initial signal and noise characteristics). Comparison of the results of the method with different bases of decomposition may be of interest. The SVD and SVDs procedures of the Matlab program do not work properly when applied to block matrixes that correspond to an instrument function with large widths (FWHM> 6). In particular, they overstate the singular values. We have attempted to identify the source of the error and then to develop an algorithm that would be free of the above drawbacks. We relied on the SVD function of the Jama package [3] adapted for the programming language C ++, this function giving similar results. In the course of the study of this algorithm in the environment Visial C ++, we identified the problem fragments that gave error because of incorrect rounding-off, which in turn was caused by underflow. Moreover, the error accumulated fast because of the nature of the code. These fragments were fixed via introduction of bigwidth numbers using the package BigNumber [4], which we adapted to the case of real numbers. The new SVD algorithm is at the stage of debugging yet. It is expected that the application of the algorithm in the Tikhonov regularization method to model problems with very low noise (below 10 -3 %) will increase the resolution up to three times (which corresponds to a minimum detectable object of 3 microns). This will enable better results of deconvolution at actual noise levels of about 1% (assuming that the noise is close to white). This work was supported by RFBR grant No.14-02-00631. Introduction and Objectives The fabrication of optoelectronic devices with self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) is costly due to the nature of the growth techniques and the difficulty of controlling their size and uniformity. As an alternative, highly luminescent quantum dots is becoming increasingly demanding for optoelectronic applications, one of such candidate is CdSe QDs. Not only that the UV-photolithographic patterning [1] is possible but also by changing exposure time, the size of CdSe QDs can be tuned. With this technique, CdSe QDs and CdSe QDs/polymer matrix systems were grown on glass substrate and investigated the local microstructure by the extended X-ray absorption fine structure method (EXAFS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and X-ray fluorescence to determine the effect in local environment surrounding the Se atoms. Results and Discussion The different size of CdSe QDs was formed by changing UV-exposure time between 30 -60 minutes, the average sizes are found to be 10 nm and 14 nm. In addition, CdSe QDs were fabricated both on glass substrate and on polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) polymer matrix. The local neighborhood of Se atoms is examined to determine the effect of microstructure characteristics in those systems. The chemical nature or electron density at the vicinity of Se atoms in the CdSe QDs samples patterned with exposure time of 30 and 60-minute is the same. The CdSe QDs patterned on PVK matrix clearly exhibits a shift in position of the absorption edge and peak absorption position towards higher energy, resulting from the modification of the electronic structure. The shift of energy position of this sample relative to the energy position of SeO 2 indicates the chemical nature is different from the SeO 2 . The EXAFS results indicate that in the samples of CdSe deposited on PVK matrix, some of the Se atoms exist next to other (impurity) atoms than Cd. Cd-Se bond length calculation from Fourier transform XANES spectra is consistent with EXAFS results. Conclusions According to both XANES and EXAFS results the CdSe QDs patterned on PVK matrix exhibit different micro-structural properties than that of CdSe QDs on glass substrate. Results and Discussion Examples being fabricated and tested are: For quantification of very small masses in (T)XRF, reference samples of known composition have to be measured together with the specimen. Masses below ng-range or pm-"thicknesses" were fabricated. Characterization was performed using high sensitivity methods such as AAS, ICP-OES and various synchrotron based XRF techniques at DESY, PTB at BESSY[2] and ANKA. The lateral structure of these samples was analyzed with different electron and X-ray scanning techniques. XRF measurements in grazing incidence geometry (GI-XRF) taking advantage of X-ray standing waves formed inside and above reflecting samples [3,4] have come into the focus of research by advances in synchrotron technology and computing power. GI-XRF is a promising tool to analyze layered structures and buried materials but strongly depends on reliable optical constants and simulation software to interpret measured data. In order to test and improve simulation software, well defined layered structures have to be manufactured, measured and reconstructed by simulations. In cooperation with research groups in the GI-XRF field such samples have been designed and fabricated. Mingyuan@bnl.gov In-situ characterization combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray imaging provides the capability to investigate materials under real reactions with multi-length scale, from atomic structure to micron size overview. In this work, we have designed an in-situ cell, which is capable of performing miniature electrochemical reaction with the presence of electrolyte and electric bias added, and it is suitable for both TEM and X-ray microscope investigation (full-field and scanning). We have preliminary results on the in-situ investigation of the structure evolution of Li-battery electrode material (AgVO 2 PO 4 ) under battery operation, to demonstrate the functionality and capability of the designed cell. In addition, we are looking forward to applying the cell for other systems such as electrochemical catalysts to give insightful understanding of the underlying mechanism from multi-length scale. 13 Poster Abstracts Introduction and Objectives The presence, in tightly regulated levels, of the essential metals iron, copper and zinc, is important for the physiology of a number of organs including the retina. The retina is composed of several layers with distinct structure and function. In the work presented here a synchrotron microprobe has been used to localise and quantify the three trace metals but also the minor ones P, S, Cl and K, in the retinas of n=5 young and aged mice. The aim is to determine whether there is sustained modification of the levels of these metals with age as associations between afflicting conditions and elevated metal levels is an emerging area of interest in retinology. Results and Discussion The x-ray microprobe of beamline I18, at the Diamond Light Source, England, was used to localise and quantify the biologically significant minor and trace elements with a resolution of 2 microns. The elemental maps allow distinction of most of the different anatomical structures of the retina; they are 9 in total in a cross-section of approximately 300 microns. Regions of interest were drawn in each of the delineated regions and average concentrations for each region were compiled for the two groups of samples. A trend of significant elevation of Fe, Cu, Zn and S in the outer retinal region of the aged animals has emerged, varying between 2-fold and 4-fold depending on the element. The common difficulties in such measurements are the extremely dilute nature of some of the elements (Cu < 20 ppm) and the statistical spread of concentrations within the same group of specimens, either due to statistical noise associated with weak signal or because of inherent biological variability. In these measurements the intra-group statistical variation of concentrations in the outer retina was insignificant compared to the degree of change between groups so these first results are very encouraging. The metals play a significant role in regulating the function of a number of proteins therefore the apparent correlation with elevated sulphur concentration is also potentially meaningful. The region that displays this age-related modification is in fact a complex of three layers that are not clearly resolved, the Retinal Pigment Epithelium, Bruch's Membrane and Choriocapillaris. The fact that some of these boundaries remain too small for the size of the beam presents a challenge for future experiments. Conclusions Initial results suggest age-related accumulation of essential biological metals in the retina with potential implications in macular degeneration. This work is a prime example of how x-ray microscopy can provide invaluable information in current biological problems. Emerging challenges point to the need for even more advanced x-ray techniques, specifically the increased spatial resolution that novel synchrotron nanoprobes can provide. Dresden, Germany Introduction and Objectives In the last years full field hard x-ray microscopes have earned their reputation not only at synchrotron beam lines but also as an reliable laboratory equipment for imaging and tomography, with a resolution better than 50 nm. Using a system setup for hard x-ray transmission microscopy with long distance of more than 10 mm on each side between condenser optics, sample and objective lens it is possible to include additional instruments for in-situ experiments into the beam path. We present three approaches for such in-situ experiments: (i) recording of a time lapse image sequence of an oxidation reaction at elevated temperatures, supplemented by recording tomography data under inert atmosphere before and after the reaction; (ii) crack propagation studies in on-chip interconnect structures of microchips by double cantilever beam test and (iii) instrumented micro indentation and compression tests. Results and Discussion All experiments were carried out inside a laboratory X-ray microscope using Cu-Kα radiation (Xradia nanoXCT-100). The morphology change of agglomerates of iron powder at elevated temperatures up to 773 K were imaged during heating the sample inside a water-cooled reaction chamber with windows for x-ray imaging, electrical connections for resistive heating, temperature control by a thermal couple and gas supply to provide an inert or reactive atmosphere [2,3]. This chamber is positioned using a separate xyzstage above the sample. Highly reactive iron powder with a particle size less than 100 nm was used for an advanced hydrogen storage cycle based in the steam-iron-process. Hydrogen is released during the oxidation of iron in water steam, and inversely, hydrogen was used to reduce the iron oxide to metal. We studied the loss of storage capacity by imaging the oxidation process for a loose agglomerate in wet nitrogen atmosphere. The time lapse series shows the formation of an oxide layer at the surface of the agglomerate, and tomograms recorded after the reaction show the three-dimensional evolution of the distribution of material. The mechanical tests were carried out with custom-built piezo-driven mechanical stages that were specially designed to fit inside the beam path, allowing to record tomographic data sets with no or minor missing data. The miniaturized dual cantilever beam (DCB) test was performed at a multi-level on-chip interconnect structure of a microchip, with Cu interconnects and a so-called low-k dielectric material. The local pathway of cracks in this stack and the effect of crack stop structures was shown [4]. The third in-situ experiment uses a compact modular stage for instrumented micro indentation and compression tests. Phase contrast imaging of crack propagation in multi-component ceramic materials are demonstrated. Computer tomography combined with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is attractive for obtaining tomographic elemental distribution in a soft matter. However, the attenuation of XRF within the sample generally makes rigorous analysis of elemental distribution difficult. We have investigated simplified analysis of tomographic elemental investigation of a strand of hair. The method utilizes the transverse scan of X-ray microbeam over the strand of hair, and the projected one dimensional image of the cross section was compared with the model calculation that consider the axisymmetrical distribution of the element and the attenuation of XRF in the hair. References Investigations of Tomographic Elemental Distribution in a Strand of Hair by X-ray Fluorescence Analysis Combined with Transvers Scan of an X-ray Microbeam The experiments were carried out on the BL05SS of SPring-8 by using micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometer designed for forensic investigations. The dimension of the microbeam was ca. 2 micron in diameter, and a silicon drift detector was used for XRF measurements. The feasibility study was carried out, and the obtained projected one dimensional image of the hair was consistent with the XRF images of the cross section of the same sample. In this poster we describe the setup for both the beamline itself and the PDF platform. Quality evaluation of the data collected using standard sample is described. Limiting effects of low/high temperature and in siu apparatus are also discussed with possible ways to reduce such effects. Data of some typical real samples of interest are present, with focus on our efforts to develop PDF application on low Z materials. Also we describe our effort to develop PDF method using micro size focused high energy X-ray beam. This has potential application on high pressure experiments using diamond anvil cell (DAC) and also on other fields involve microanalysis. Very preliminary results on effort to fabricate kinoform lens designed for focusing high energy X-ray will be showed. 17 Poster Abstracts Imaging and spectroscopy in the "water window" (λ=2.3-4.4nm) has been long pursued in the fields of biology and material science, driven by the natural contrast between carbon and oxygen, and the high spatial resolution provided by the short wavelength. Significant progress has been achieved in producing high flux and coherent light sources in this wavelength region, using synchrotron or free electron laser [1], and high harmonic generation [2]. Besides the high quality sources, multilayer mirror is another key component for the water window microscope [3]. Due to the short working wavelength, the d-spacing of the multilayer is only 1-2nm. This imposes a severe challenge for the fabrication of such multilayer mirrors. Cr/V multilayer is one of the promising candidate working near the V-L edge (λ=2.4nm). To develop high reflectance multilayer mirror for this region, the physical structure inside the multilayer with different layer thicknesses were investigated. Interface engineering was further applied to this metal/metal system which produced a maximum reflectance of 24% near the V-L edge at 42°grazing incidence. 18 Poster Abstracts References [1] X. Huang, et al., "Quantitative X-ray wavefront measurements of Fresnel zone plate and K-B mirrors using phase retrieval", Optics Express, 20, 24038-24048 (2012). [2] X. Huang, et al., "11 nm hard X-ray focus from a large-aperture multilayer Laue lens", Scientific Reports, 3, 3562 (2013). [3] E. Nazaretski, et al., "Pushing the limits: an instrument for hard X-ray imaging below 20 nm", Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 22, 336-341 (2015). [4] X. Huang, et al., "Achieving hard X-ray nanofocusing using a wedged multilayer Laue lens", Optics Express, 23, 12496-12507 (2015). 19 Poster Abstracts Zinc oxide (ZnO) has a wide range of applications including electronics, solar cells, and humidity sensors. It has been observed that when zinc oxide thin film is subject to humidity treatment, the surface of the film exhibits morphological heterogeneity. However, the nature of this heterogeneity, such as chemical and elemental compositions, remains unclear. Here, we focus on studying the chemical and morphological heterogeneity of ZnO thin film when the materials are subject to humidity treatment and compare it with the untreated pristine samples. We will utilize the Sub-micron Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy (SRX) beamline at National Synchrotron Light Source II to carry out x-ray fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy measurement on the ZnO thin film. Other characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy were also used to provide supplemental information. The materials under investigation include ZnO and Al doped ZnO on Si substrate. By comparing the results from humidified samples and pristine ones we aim to study the environment induced heterogeneity in coating materials. The presentation reports on novel Soft X-ray Fresnel CDI ptychography results, demonstrating the potential of this method for dynamic studies. Our in-situ ptychography experiments explored the electrodeposition process of Mn and Co/polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites, Pt-free candidates for fuel cell catalysts [1]. The measurements were performed using a custom-made three-electrode microcell, sketched in The ptychography-based investigation of the electrodeposition dynamics was executed during the in-situ electrical biasing of the electrochemical cell. Besides the observation of morphological changes, we retrieved the spectroscopic information, provided by multiple ptychographic energy scans across Mn and Co edges. The most important issues related to the computational aspects of such experiments will be outlined and potential improvements of the methodology will also be discussed. The Nanofocus Endstation of beamline P03 (PETRA III, Hamburg) is operated jointly by HelmholtzZentrum Geesthacht and the University of Kiel, and is one of the very few synchrotron endstations providing the experimental conditions for scanning X-ray nanodiffraction. This technique, in turn, is an excellent tool for materials science. It readily serves structural information with sub-micrometer spatial resolution from crystalline and semi-crystalline materials (metals, biomaterials, synthetic compounds) for the retrieval of e.g. grain orientation, residual stress profiles, crystal structure or texture. Because of the long focal distance focusing, the wide energy range of the P03 beamline and the highly adaptive sample positioning system, high resolution nanodiffraction experiments can be performed even in extended sample environments. A beam size of typically (250 nm)² is used for these experiments and is generated using a long focal distance KB-mirror focusing system. The strong focus on materials science at P03 is demonstrated by the wide range of experiments already performed with in situ sample environments: pressure, indentation force, tensile stress, fluid shear, magnetic fields -all of these parameters were successfully modified in situ and combined with the high spatial resolution provided by nanofocused beam [1][2][3][4][5][6]. 22 Poster Abstracts Introduction Coherent diffractive imaging techniques exploit oversampling to recover the phase information lost in the measurement of farfield diffraction patterns. In the case of ptychography, the sample is scanned with a coherent xray beam taking diffraction measurements while ensuring some degree of overlap between neighbouring areas of illumination [1, 2]. From these diffraction frames applying adequate constraints the projected transmission function of the object can be retrieved simultaneously with the probe, i.e. the function describing the radiation incident on the sample. Ptychographic methods can be extended to threedimensional objects simply by recording projections for several sample orientations and applying conventional tomographic algorithms to the set of 2D images obtained with ptychographic algorithms thus finally rebuilding the whole volume [3]. This approach already allows to get highresolution 3D images and nonetheless further improvements could be developed, for instance in order to decrease the dose and time required for each experiment. Results and objectives We have implemented and successfully performed ptychography experiments at I131, the coherence beamline at Diamond Light Source [4]. We succeeded in imaging technologically interesting materials such as nanoporous gold in both 2D [