The weak refraction of X-rays allows refracting optical elements to be fabricated that perturb the X-ray phase at the picometre level. This allows fine correction of the X-ray wavefront from imperfect optical elements. Adaptable refractive correcting optics are a new concept of refractive optics that produce a wavefront correction that can be varied in size and form [1] allowing an dynamic correction of X-ray wavefront following mirror or lens focusing optics. Precise measurements and simulation at Diamond Light Source of the wavefront of a spatially coherent X-ray beam focused by an elliptical mirror, demonstrate that after optimisation, focusing close to the theoretical diffraction limit is achieved.
[1] David Laundy, Vishal Dhamgaye, Thomas Moxham and Kawal Sawhney,
Adaptable refractive correctors for X-ray optics. Optica 6 (12), 1484-1490.2019. DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.6.001484
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