3D Chemical Imaging of Nanoscale Biological, Environmental, and Synthetic Materials by Soft X-Ray STXM Spectrotomography

Definition of the TopicSynchrotron-based soft X-ray scanning transmission X-ray microscopy is applied to 3D chemical imaging using tilt series tomography at multiple photon energies. Instrumentation, methodology and examples from a range of nanoscale biological, environmental and materials science are presented.OverviewSynchrotron-based soft X-ray scanning transmission X-ray microscopy is applied to 3D chemical imaging using tilt series tomography at multiple photon energies (STXM spectro-tomography). Instrumentation, methodology and examples from a range of nanoscale biological, environmental and materials science are presented. Dry and wet samples dealing with biomineralization and the interface of bacteria and minerals are presented. 3D chemical maps are generated from a model system for the perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer in the electrodes of polymer electrode membrane fuel cells. Results for 3D imaging of wet biofilms and wet latex microspheres are presented. Future improvements in the forms of soft X-ray spectro-ptychography, cryo-spectro-tomography, laminography and improved instrumentation for wet samples are discussed.