Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging

Coherent x-rays generated from recent advanced x-ray sources such as next generation synchrotrons and x-ray lasers provide new opportunities to apply x-rays in a similar manner as visible laser beam. One of the most important applications of coherent x-rays is the new microscopy technique based on static coherent diffraction measurements. The ultimate resolution of this diffraction microscopy can be in sub-nanometer scale. In this presentation, we introduce the principle of coherent diffraction imaging including image reconstruction and phase retrieval. In addition, we present our recent results on coherent x-ray diffraction imaging using hard x-rays, soft x-ray laser, and optical laser beam. The impact of the future coherent x-ray imaging would be great in molecular biology and nanoscience since the structural evolution of a specific molecule or a particle can be followed in a proper time scale