Characterization of Pt-coated twin paraboloidal laboratory capillary high energy X-ray optics

Novel focusing optics composed of twin paraboloidal capillaries coated with Pt, for laboratory X-ray sources are presented and characterized. The optics are designed to focus the X-rays, resulting in an achromatic focused beam with photon energies up to 40 keV. The performance of the optics under different operational conditions is studied by comparing the energy-photon count spectra of the direct and focused beams. Based on these analyses, the optics gain and efficiency as a function of photon energy are determined. A focal spot of 8.5 mu m with a divergence angle of 0.59 degrees is observed. The obtained characteristics are discussed and related to theoretical considerations. Moreover, the suitability and advantages of the present optics for X-ray microdiffraction is demonstrated using polycrystalline aluminium. Finally, possibilities for further developments are suggested.

Automated summary

This study presents and characterizes a novel focusing optics, composed of twin paraboloidal capillaries coated with Pt, for laboratory X-ray sources. The optics are designed to produce achromatic focused beam with high photon energies up to 40 keV. The performance of the optics is evaluated under different operational conditions, and the suitability and advantages of the optics for X-ray microdiffraction are demonstrated using polycrystalline aluminium. Possibilities for further developments are suggested.