Scientists at Helmholtz Berlin (HZB) have created a new type of microscope that performs high-resolution spatial X-ray spectroscopy at the nanoscale for single and nanostructures.

This picture shows a schematic diagram showing the study of various photon energies of X-ray irradiation of titanium dioxide through capillary condenser rods. A high-resolution lens is not shown here, and then an image of the object is formed. (Source: HZB)

BESSY II, Synchrotron Radiation HZB, X-ray Microscope uses a highly intelligent X-ray to detect the nature and size of nanomaterials. In order to achieve nano-scale spatial resolution, nanomaterials are irradiated with high-spectral resolution X-rays that are photographed using an X-ray lens detector.

The HZB microscope is ideal for material research, especially for energy research. This tool can capture nanostrucutures objects that have an image size within 2020m2 of simultaneous CCD camera field. An image library of spatial resolution of hyperspectral data can be stored in tiny energy steps in a specific energy range, which in turn provides data for each nanoparticle or specific nanostructure portion of the stored image information.

These spectra are called electronic structure data provided by NEXAFS and nanoparticles within a single atomic arrangement. The tool's image library includes spectra of several particles that facilitate faster analysis. The researchers used tools to analyze the structure of specially synthesized titanium dioxide nanorods.

HZB physicist Dr. Peter Gutman said: In addition to providing an enhanced spectral order of 10,000 spectral resolution, it allows for a 100-fold faster recording of spectra in large object fields. The HZB electron beam writer is capable of manufacturing advanced lenses, which will increase the tool's spatial resolution from the current 25 nm to 10 nm.