Hard X-ray nano-focusing with Montel mirror optics

Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors in the Montel (or nested) configuration were tested for hard X-ray nanoscale focusing at a third generation synchrotron beamline. In this scheme, two mirrors, mounted side-by-side and perpendicular to each other, provide for a more compact focusing system and a much higher demagnification and flux than the traditional sequential K-B mirror arrangement, They can accept up to a 120 mu m x 120 mu m incident X-ray beam with a long working distance of 40 mm and broad-bandpass of energies up to similar to 30 keV. Initial test demonstrated a focal spot of about 150 nm in both horizontal and vertical directions with either polychromatic or monochromatic beam. Montel mirror optics is important and very appealing for achromatic X-ray nanoscale focusing in conventional non-extra-long synchrotron beamlines. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.