Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “coherence imaging”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6

Bragg coherent diffractive imaging of ferromagnetic nickel nanoparticles

We synthesized Ni nanoparticles with an atmospheric-thermal chemical vapor deposition method and investigated their lattice distortions and defects using Bragg coherent diffractive imaging. Because the strain can alter the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials, it is important to study the lattice distortion and structural imperfection. As a result of the Bragg coherent diffractive imaging, we found that the Ni nanocubes have a deformation-free zone in the middle. In addition, the defects such as dislocation and twin domain defects were detected in other Ni nanoparticles based on the Bragg diffraction images and patterns. The imaging of nanoparticles can contribute to a better understanding of their growth mechanisms and improve the design and synthesis of nanoparticles.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Stability limits and defect dynamics in Ag nanoparticles probed by Bragg coherent diffractive imaging

Dissolution is critical to nanomaterial stability, especially for partially dealloyed nanoparticle catalysts. Unfortunately, highly active catalysts are often not stable in their reactive environments, preventing widespread application. Thus, focusing on the structure–stability relationship at the nanoscale is crucial and will likely play an important role in meeting grand challenges. Recent advances in imaging capability have come from electron, X-ray, and other techniques but tend to be limited to specific sample environments and/or two-dimensional images. Here, we report investigations into the defect-stability relationship of silver nanoparticles to voltage-induced electrochemical dissolution imaged in situ in three dimensional detail by Bragg coherent diffractive imaging. We first determine the average dissolution kinetics by stationary probe rotating disk electrode in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, which allows in situ measurement of Ag+ ion formation. We then observe the dissolution and redeposition processes in single nanocrystals, providing unique insight about the role of surface strain, defects, and their coupling to the dissolution chemistry. Finally, the methods developed and the knowledge gained go well beyond a “simple” silver electrochemistry and are applicable to all electrocatalytic reactions where functional links between activity and stability are controlled by structure and defect dynamics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Use of Justified Constraints in Coherent Diffractive Imaging

We demonstrate the use of physically justified object constraints in x-ray Fresnel coherent diffractive imaging on a sample of nanoporous gold prepared by dealloying. Use of these constraints in the reconstruction algorithm enabled highly reliable imaging of the sample's shape and quantification of the 23- to 52-nm pore structure within it without use of a tight object support constraint.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

General approaches for shear-correcting coordinate transformations in Bragg coherent diffraction imaging. Part I

This two-part article series provides a generalized description of the scattering geometry of Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) experiments, the shear distortion effects inherent in the 3D image obtained from presently used methods and strategies to mitigate this distortion. Part I starts from fundamental considerations to present the general real-space coordinate transformation required to correct this shear, in a compact operator formulation that easily lends itself to implementation with available software packages. Such a transformation, applied as a final post-processing step following phase retrieval, is crucial for arriving at an undistorted, correctly oriented and physically meaningful image of the 3D crystalline scatterer. As the relevance of BCDI grows in the field of materials characterization, the available sparse literature that addresses the geometric theory of BCDI and the subsequent analysis methods are generalized here. This geometrical aspect, specific to coherent Bragg diffraction and absent in 2D transmission CDI experiments, gains particular importance when it comes to spatially resolved characterization of 3D crystalline materials in a reliable nondestructive manner. This series of articles describes this theory, from the diffraction in Bragg geometry to the corrections needed to obtain a properly rendered digital image of the 3D scatterer. Part I of this series provides the experimental BCDI community with the general form of the 3D real-space distortions in the phase-retrieved object, along with the necessary post-retrieval correction method. Part II builds upon the geometric theory developed in Part I with the formalism to correct the shear distortions directly on an orthogonal grid within the phase-retrieval algorithm itself, allowing more physically realistic constraints to be applied. Taken together, Parts I and II provide the X-ray science community with a set of generalized BCDI shear-correction techniques crucial to the final rendering of a 3D crystalline scatterer and for the development of new BCDI methods and experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Three Dimensional Variable-Wavelength X-Ray Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging

Here, we present and demonstrate a formalism by which three-dimensional (3D) Bragg x-ray coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) can be implemented without moving the sample by scanning the energy of the incident x-ray beam. This capability is made possible by introducing a 3D Fourier transform that accounts for x-ray wavelength variability. We also demonstrate the approach by inverting coherent Bragg diffraction patterns from a gold nanocrystal measured with an x-ray energy scan. Furthermore, variable-wavelength BCDI will expand the breadth of feasible in situ 3D strain imaging experiments towards more diverse materials environments, especially where sample manipulation is difficult.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Three-dimensional Bragg coherent diffraction imaging of an extended ZnO crystal

A complex three-dimensional quantitative image of an extended zinc oxide (ZnO) crystal has been obtained using Bragg coherent diffraction imaging integrated with ptychography. By scanning a 2.5 µm-long arm of a ZnO tetrapod across a 1.3 µm X-ray beam with fine step sizes while measuring a three-dimensional diffraction pattern at each scan spot, the three-dimensional electron density and projected displacement field of the entire crystal were recovered. The simultaneously reconstructed complex wavefront of the illumination combined with its coherence properties determined by a partial coherence analysis implemented in the reconstruction process provide a comprehensive characterization of the incident X-ray beam.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Manifesting pseudo-spin polarization of graphene with field emission image

Coherent emission of electron from graphene in both electric and magnetic fields is studied. We obtain the emission wave function analytically. The emission current density is calculated. The structure of Landau levels is recognizable in the emission image. The emission pattern depends on the phase difference of two sub-lattices. We find that the pattern changes obviously with the gate voltage on the edge. It provides a way to manipulate the emission pattern.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Gas-Induced Segregation in Pt-Rh Alloy Nanoparticles Observed by In Situ Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging

Bimetallic catalysts can undergo segregation or redistribution of the metals driven by oxidizing and reducing environments. Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) was used to relate displacement fields to compositional distributions in crystalline Pt-Rh alloy nanoparticles. Three-dimensional images of internal composition showed that the radial distribution of compositions reverses partially between the surface shell and the core when gas flow changes between O 2 and H 2 . Our observation suggests that the elemental segregation of nanoparticle catalysts should be highly active during heterogeneous catalysis and can be a controlling factor in synthesis of electrocatalysts. Additionally, our study exemplifies applications of BCDI for in situ 3D imaging of internal equilibrium compositions in other bimetallic alloy nanoparticles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NEURAL NETWORK FOR COHERENT DIFFRACTION IMAGE INVERSION

A deep neural network model plus automatic differentiation is developed for retrieving phase information from 3D coherent diffraction images. The model is implemented using Tensorflow and the training dataset is generated using physics-based atomistic simulations. Custom codes are written to handle the resampling of diffraction images to oversampling ratios appropriate for the neural network model.

CHAN, HENRY↗

Bragg coherent diffraction imaging of iron diffusion into gold nanocrystals

Understanding how diffusion takes place within nanocrystals is of great importance for their stability and for controlling their synthesis. In this study, we used the strain sensitivity of Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) to study the diffusion of iron into individual gold nanocrystals in situ at elevated temperatures. The BCDI experiments were performed at the I-07 beamline at Diamond Light Source, UK. The diffraction pattern of individual gold nanocrystals was measured around the (11-1) Bragg peak of gold before and after iron deposition as a function of temperature and time. Phase retrieval algorithms were used to obtain real space reconstructions of the nanocrystals from their measured diffraction patterns. Alloying of iron with gold at sample temperatures of 300 °C–500 °C and dealloying of iron from gold at 600 °C were observed. The volume of the alloyed region in the nanocrystals was found to increase with the dose of iron. However, no significant time dependence was observed for the structure following each iron deposition, suggesting that the samples reached equilibrium relatively quickly. The resulting phase distribution within the gold nanocrystals after the iron depositions suggests a contraction due to diffusion of iron. Furthermore, our results show that BCDI is a useful technique for studying diffusion in three dimensions and alloying behaviour in individual crystalline grains.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Co-notch and independent windowing to mitigate interference in SAR-based imagery

Various technologies for mitigating distortion in coherent image products generated from SAR data are described herein. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) datasets generated based upon SAR returns from first and second passes of a SAR platform over a scene are received. The SAR datasets can be co-notched at matching sample indices to improve coherence of SAR images generated from the datasets. Windowed SAR data is generated by applying independent windows to subsets of each of the datasets to reduce sidelobe levels of their image impulse responses. Coherent image products are generated based upon the windowed SAR data, wherein an image quality of the coherent image products is improved as compared to coherent image products generated based upon the SAR datasets.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

MO-F-CAMPUS-I-03: Tissue Equivalent Material Phantom to Test and Optimize Coherent Scatter Imaging for Tumor Classification

Purpose: To accurately model different breast geometries using a tissue equivalent phantom, and to classify these tissues in a coherent x-ray scatter imaging system. Methods: A breast phantom has been designed to assess the capability of coded aperture coherent x-ray scatter imaging system to classify different types of breast tissue (adipose, fibroglandular, tumor). The tissue-equivalent phantom was modeled as a hollow plastic cylinder containing multiple cylindrical and spherical inserts that can be positioned, rearranged, or removed to model different breast geometries. Each enclosure can be filled with a tissue-equivalent material and excised human tumors. In this study, beef and lard, placed inside 2-mm diameter plastic Nalgene containers, were used as surrogates for fibroglandular and adipose tissue, respectively. The phantom was imaged at 125 kVp, 40 mA for 10 seconds each with a 1-mm pencil beam. The raw data were reconstructed using a model-based reconstruction algorithm and yielded the location and form factor, or momentum transfer (q) spectrum of the materials that were imaged. The measured material form factors were then compared to the ground truth measurements acquired by x-ray diffraction (XRD) imaging. Results: The tissue equivalent phantom was found to accurately model different types of breast tissue by qualitatively comparing our measured form factors to those of adipose and fibroglandular tissue from literature. Our imaging system has been able to define the location and composition of the various materials in the phantom. Conclusion: This work introduces a new tissue equivalent phantom for testing and optimization of our coherent scatter imaging system for material classification. In future studies, the phantom will enable the use of a variety of materials including excised human tissue specimens in evaluating and optimizing our imaging system using pencil- and fan-beam geometries. United States Department of Homeland Security Duke University Medical Center - Department of Radiology Carl E Ravin Advanced Imaging Laboratories Duke University Medical Physics Graduate Program.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Bragg Coherent Diffractive Imaging of Zinc Oxide Acoustic Phonons at Picosecond Timescales

Mesoscale thermal transport is of fundamental interest and practical importance in materials such as thermoelectrics. Coherent lattice vibrations (acoustic phonons) govern thermal transport in crystalline solids and are affected by the shape, size, and defect density in nanoscale materials. The advent of hard x-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) capable of producing ultrafast x-ray pulses has significantly impacted the understanding of acoustic phonons by enabling their direct study with x-rays. However, previous studies have reported ensemble-averaged results that cannot distinguish the impact of mesoscale heterogeneity on the phonon dynamics. Here we use Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (BCDI) to resolve the 4D evolution of the acoustic phonons in a single zinc oxide rod with a spatial resolution of 50 nm and a temporal resolution of 25 picoseconds. We observe homogeneous (lattice breathing/rotation) and inhomogeneous (shear) acoustic phonon modes, which are compared to finite element simulations. We investigate the possibility of changing phonon dynamics by altering the crystal through acid etching. Lastly, we find that the acid heterogeneously dissolves the crystal volume, which will significantly impact the phonon dynamics. In general, our results represent the first step towards understanding the effect of structural properties at the individual crystal level on phonon dynamics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Coherent diffractive imaging of time-evolving samples with improved temporal resolution

Bragg coherent x-ray diffractive imaging is a powerful technique for investigating dynamic nanoscale processes in nanoparticles immersed in reactive, realistic environments. Its temporal resolution is limited, however, by the oversampling requirements of three-dimensional phase retrieval. Here, we show that incorporating the entire measurement time series, which is typically a continuous physical process, into phase retrieval allows the oversampling requirement at each time step to be reduced, leading to a subsequent improvement in the temporal resolution by a factor of 2-20 times. The increased time resolution will allow imaging of faster dynamics and of radiation-dose-sensitive samples. Furthermore, this approach, which we call "chrono CDI," may find use in improving the time resolution in other imaging techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Coherent diffractive imaging with twisted X-rays: Principles, applications, and outlook

Recent technological breakthroughs in synchrotron and x-ray free electron laser facilities have revolutionized nanoscale structural and dynamic analyses in condensed matter systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in coherent scattering and diffractive imaging techniques, which are now at the forefront of exploring materials science complexities. These techniques, notably Bragg coherent diffractive imaging and x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic dichroism, and x-ray correlation analysis leverage beam coherence to achieve volumetric three-dimensional imaging at unprecedented sub-nanometer resolutions and explore dynamic phenomena within sub-millisecond timeframes. Such capabilities are critical in understanding and developing advanced materials and technologies. Simultaneously, the emergence of chiral crystals—characterized by their unique absence of standard inversion, mirror, or other roto-inversion symmetries—presents both challenges and opportunities. These materials exhibit distinctive interactions with light, leading to phenomena such as molecular optical activity, chiral photonic waveguides, and valley-specific light emissions, which are pivotal in the burgeoning fields of photonic and spintronic devices. This review elucidates how novel x-ray probes can be leveraged to unravel these properties and their implications for future technological applications. A significant focus of this review is the exploration of new avenues in research, particularly the shift from conventional methods to more innovative approaches in studying these chiral materials. Inspired by structured optical beams, the potential of coherent scattering techniques utilizing twisted x-ray beams is examined. This promising direction not only offers higher spatial resolution but also opens the door to previously unattainable insights in materials science. By contextualizing these advancements within the broader scientific landscape and highlighting their practical applications, this review aims to chart a course for future research in this rapidly evolving field.

Physics↗

Mapping nanocrystal orientations via scanning Laue diffraction microscopy for multi-peak Bragg coherent diffraction imaging

The recent commissioning of a movable monochromator at the 34-ID-C endstation of the Advanced Photon Source has vastly simplified the collection of Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) data from multiple Bragg peaks of sub-micrometre scale samples. Laue patterns arising from the scattering of a polychromatic beam by arbitrarily oriented nanocrystals permit their crystal orientations to be computed, which are then used for locating and collecting several non-co-linear Bragg reflections. The volumetric six-component strain tensor is then constructed by combining the projected displacement fields that are imaged using each of the measured reflections via iterative phase retrieval algorithms. Complications arise when the sample is heterogeneous in composition and/or when multiple grains of a given lattice structure are simultaneously illuminated by the polychromatic beam. Here, a workflow is established for orienting and mapping nanocrystals on a substrate of a different material using scanning Laue diffraction microscopy. The capabilities of the developed algorithms and procedures with both synthetic and experimental data are demonstrated. The robustness is verified by comparing experimental texture maps obtained with Laue diffraction microscopy at the beamline with maps obtained from electron back-scattering diffraction measurements on the same patch of gold nanocrystals. Such tools provide reliable indexing for both isolated and densely distributed nanocrystals, which are challenging to image in three dimensions with other techniques.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Identifying Defects with Guided Algorithms in Bragg Coherent Diffractive Imaging

In this study, crystallographic defects such as dislocations can significantly alter material properties and functionality. However, imaging these imperfections during operation remains challenging due to the short length scales involved and the reactive environments of interest. Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (BCDI) has emerged as a powerful tool capable of identifying dislocations, twin domains, and other defects in 3D detail with nanometer spatial resolution within nanocrystals and grains in reactive environments. However, BCDI relies on phase retrieval algorithms that can fail to accurately reconstruct the defect network. Here, we use numerical simulations to explore different guided phase retrieval algorithms for imaging defective crystals using BCDI. We explore different defect types, defect densities, Bragg peaks, and guided algorithm fitness metrics as a function of signal-to-noise ratio. Based on these results, we offer a general prescription for phasing of defective crystals with no a prior knowledge.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗