Surreal illustration of nano-imaging with laser beams illuminating cells and nanostructures.

Nano-Imaging Revolution: How Advanced Microscopes Are Unveiling the Secrets of Cells and Materials

Theo Raines in Tech & Innovation June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how soft X-ray and EUV laser-plasma sources are transforming nano-imaging, offering unprecedented views into biological and material structures with compact, high-resolution microscopes."

Recent advancements in nanoscience and nanotechnology depend on nanometer-scale resolution imaging tools like extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray (SXR) microscopy. EUV/SXR microscopy is useful for imaging objects with nanometer spatial resolution and obtaining additional information with high optical contrast in specific wavelength ranges.

EUV radiation is strongly absorbed in thin layers of materials, making it suitable for thin films and layers. SXR radiation, specifically in the "water-window" (λ = 2.3 - 4.4 nm), is ideal for high-resolution biological imaging due to the high contrast between carbon and water, the main constituents of biological material.

Most studies in this field use synchrotron or free-electron laser installations. Synchrotron and FEL facilities are used for cutting-edge scientific experiments, providing the highest available photon flux, tunability, and spatial and temporal coherence. Recent progress in developing compact EUV and SXR sources, especially laser-plasma sources, overcomes these limitations and allows for imaging experiments in laboratories worldwide.

Compact EUV and SXR Microscopes: A New Era in Nano-Imaging?

Surreal illustration of nano-imaging with laser beams illuminating cells and nanostructures.

Traditional EUV and SXR microscopy often relies on large-scale facilities like synchrotrons and free-electron lasers. These facilities provide high photon flux, tunability, and coherence but are expensive, complex, and have limited user access. Recent advancements in laser-plasma sources are enabling the development of compact, high-resolution microscopes that can be used in smaller laboratories.

Laser-plasma sources, particularly those based on double-stream gas puff targets, are emerging as a viable alternative for lab-scale nano-imaging. These sources efficiently generate plasma and emit radiation in the EUV and SXR regions without producing debris. They are robust, easy to operate, and offer a relatively high EUV and SXR emission flux.

High Spatial Resolution: Resolving features down to 50-80 nm.
Short Exposure Times: Acquiring images in just a few seconds.
Compact Footprint: Fitting easily into standard laboratories.
Versatile Applications: Suitable for biological samples and nanomaterials.

The SXR/EUV microscopes based on these sources do not require extensive sample preparation like gold coating (for SEM) or staining (for STED microscopy). The gas puff target is created by injecting a small amount of high-Z gas (working gas) into a stream of low-Z gas (outer gas) using a fast electromagnetic double valve system. The target is then irradiated with focused laser pulses from a Nd:YAG laser, generating EUV and SXR radiation.

The Future of Nano-Imaging: Accessible, High-Resolution Microscopy for All

Compact EUV and SXR microscopes are revolutionizing nano-imaging by providing high resolution and short exposure times. These microscopes may become commercially available and have a big impact on nanotechnology in the near future.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the main advantage of using soft X-ray (SXR) radiation in biological imaging?

SXR radiation, specifically within the "water-window" (wavelengths between 2.3 and 4.4 nm), is ideal for high-resolution biological imaging. This is because it offers high contrast between carbon and water, the primary components of biological materials. This contrast enhancement allows for detailed visualization of cellular structures without the need for extensive sample preparation like staining, which is often required in other microscopy techniques. This makes SXR microscopy a powerful tool for observing biological samples in their natural state, minimizing artifacts and preserving structural integrity.

How do compact EUV and SXR microscopes based on laser-plasma sources compare to traditional methods using synchrotrons and free-electron lasers?

Traditional EUV and SXR microscopy often rely on large-scale facilities like synchrotrons and free-electron lasers (FELs). While these facilities provide superior photon flux, tunability, and coherence, they also come with significant drawbacks. They are expensive to operate, complex to manage, and have limited user access. Compact EUV and SXR microscopes, utilizing laser-plasma sources, offer a viable alternative. These lab-scale microscopes are more accessible, less expensive, and easier to operate. They still provide high resolution and short exposure times, making them suitable for various laboratories worldwide and accelerating research in nano-imaging.

What are the key features of compact EUV and SXR microscopes that make them suitable for a wide range of applications?

Compact EUV and SXR microscopes based on laser-plasma sources provide several key features. They offer high spatial resolution, capable of resolving features down to 50-80 nm. They also have short exposure times, enabling image acquisition in just a few seconds. Their compact footprint allows them to fit easily into standard laboratories. Furthermore, these microscopes are versatile, suitable for imaging both biological samples and nanomaterials. Unlike some other microscopy techniques, they often don't require extensive sample preparation like gold coating or staining, making them a convenient and efficient choice for diverse research applications.

How do laser-plasma sources generate EUV and SXR radiation for nano-imaging?

Laser-plasma sources are crucial for generating the EUV and SXR radiation used in compact microscopes. They use a focused laser, typically from a Nd:YAG laser, to irradiate a target, such as a double-stream gas puff target. The gas puff target is created by injecting a high-Z gas into a stream of low-Z gas using a fast electromagnetic double valve system. The focused laser pulses then generate plasma, which emits radiation in the EUV and SXR regions. These sources are efficient, robust, and offer a relatively high EUV and SXR emission flux, making them a practical choice for lab-scale nano-imaging.

What impact is expected from the increasing availability of compact EUV and SXR microscopes on the field of nanotechnology?

The wider availability of compact EUV and SXR microscopes is expected to have a significant impact on nanotechnology and related fields. By providing high resolution and short exposure times in a more accessible format, these microscopes are set to revolutionize nano-imaging. This will lead to faster advancements in areas such as biology, material science, and nanotechnology, as researchers can more easily visualize and analyze structures at the nanoscale. The commercial availability of these microscopes will make them accessible to a broader range of researchers and institutions, accelerating discoveries and fostering innovation in the future.