Real-Time Coherent X-ray Imaging of Radiation-Sensitive Materials at Sub-10 nm Resolution
Abstract
Coherent x-ray sources, such as x-ray free electron lasers, diffraction-limited storage rings, and tabletop high harmonic generation, are under rapid development worldwide. These groundbreaking developments have opened up new opportunities for real-time functional imaging of materials at the nano-scale, ranging from non-destructive 3D imaging of integrated circuits, uncovering new regimes of nanoscale thermal transport to capturing spin texture and dynamics in topological and spintronic materials. However, many scientifically and technologically important materials such as batteries, catalysts, polymers, perovskites, and biological materials are highly sensitive to x-ray radiation, especially in their native environment. For these materials, radiation sensitivity can preclude imaging altogether, or significantly limit the achievable spatial and temporal resolution. Although rapidly freezing the sample to cryogenic temperatures can reduce radiation damage and has revolutionized structural biology, this approach has a major disadvantage - it cannot be used to study dynamic (i.e. functional) processes in real time. To tackle the grand challenge of low-dose dynamic x-ray imaging of radiation-sensitive material and biological systems, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team of six investigators with world-leading expertise in coherent diffractive imaging methods, coherent x-ray sources, computational algorithms, deep learning, nanofabrication of liquid cells, lithium ion batteries, polymers, electrocatalysts, and biological systems. Our goal is to harness coherent interference to enable x-ray imaging with two orders of magnitude lower dose than is currently possible, and use this capability to capture the structure and dynamics of radiation-sensitive energy and biological materials with sub-10 nm spatial and sub-second temporal resolution. We will achieve this challenging goal through close collaboration and cross fertilization, as well as functioning as an integrated team that is significantly more than the sum of the individual groups. Our research is organized into four integrated thrusts- 1) Fundamental spatial resolution limits of low-dose coherent x-ray imaging; 2) Real-time coherent x-ray imaging of radiation-sensitive and biological materials; 3) Computational algorithms and deep learning for high resolution coherent x-ray imaging; and 4) Solving long-standing problems in radiation-sensitive energy and biological materials. Our team is uniquely positioned to tackle this high-risk, high-reward research project because of our excellent track record of pioneering novel imaging methods to address major scientific challenges. We have many joint publications and advances that have been widely adopted by academia, national labs, and industry. Impact on DoD Capabilities- This MURI project will impact future DoD capabilities in several important ways. i) Development of energy- and power-dense battery materials. Energy-dense lithium-ion batteries are critical to DoD missions, ranging from high-power lasers to surveillance drones. ii) Imaging real-time nanoscale dynamics of biological systems. Our proposed research will add a new dimension to reveal the entirety of cellular ultrastructure with nanoscale resolution in real time. iii) Development of energy-efficient nano-energy-quantum devices. New low-dose large-area imaging capabilities are needed to guide synthesis and integration of near-perfect structures and interfaces associated with next-generation energy-efficient nano and quantum devices, lightweight materials, and also to dynamically image functioning devices for downselection and optimization. iv) Personnel Training for DoD. Our research groups train many top young scientists, who now work at US DoD and DOE defense national laboratories.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310281
Entities
People
- Jianwei Miao
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California, Los Angeles