Achromatic X-Ray Lens Opens Pathways in Microscopy, Access to Light Sources

Scientists at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) developed an achromatic lens for x-rays that allows x-ray beams to be accurately focused on a single point even if they have different wavelengths. The lens will make it easier to study nanostructures with x-ray light, supporting R&D in materials science, microchips, and batteries. Achromatic lenses ensure that different wavelengths can have a common focal point. They are essential for producing sharp photography and microscopy images. To date, achromatic lenses have been unavailable for x-rays. This has made x-ray microscopy possible only with monochromatic lenses. Only a portion of the light can be effectively used in this process with a monochromatic lens, resulting in a relatively...