Three-Dimensional X-ray Observation of Atmospheric Biological Samples by Linear-Array Scanning-Electron Generation X-ray Microscope System

Recently, we developed a soft X-ray microscope called the scanning-electron generation X-ray microscope (SGXM), which consists of a simple X-ray detection system that detects X-rays emitted from the interaction between a scanning electron beam (EB) and the thin film of the sample mount. We present herein a three-dimensional (3D) X-ray detection system that is based on the SGXM technology and designed for studying atmospheric biological samples. This 3D X-ray detection system contains a linear X-ray photodiode (PD) array. The specimens are placed under a CuZn-coated Si3N4 thin film, which is attached to an atmospheric sample holder. Multiple tilt X-ray images of the samples are detected simultaneously by the linear array of X-ray PDs, and the 3D structure is calculated by a new 3D reconstruction method that uses a simulated-annealing algorithm. The resulting 3D models clearly reveal the inner structure of the bacterium. In addition, the proposed method can easily be used for diverse samples in a broad range of scientific fields.近日，本团队研发了一款名为扫描电子激发X射线显微镜（scanning-electron generation X-ray microscope, SGXM）的软X射线显微镜，该装置集成一套简易X射线探测系统，可探测扫描电子束（EB）与样品支架薄膜相互作用所产生的X射线。本文中提出了一种基于SGXM技术的三维X射线探测系统，专为大气环境下生物样品的研究设计。该三维X射线探测系统搭载线性X射线光电二极管（PD）阵列。样品被放置于镀铜锌的氮化硅（Si3N4）薄膜下方，该薄膜附着于大气样品支架之上。线性X射线PD阵列可同步采集样品的多张倾斜X射线图像，并通过一种基于模拟退火算法的新型三维重建方法计算得到样品的三维结构。所得三维模型可清晰呈现该细菌的内部结构。此外，所提方法可便捷应用于多科学领域的多样化样品研究。