Modern X-Ray Physics

The lecture covers the basic concepts of Modern X-ray Physics with synchrotron radiation but also with modern laboratory based X-ray sources e.g. a compact-synchrotron. The focus is on imaging applications.

Topics:

• The Basics: X-ray sources and instrumentation
• Generation of X-rays with X-ray tubes, synchrotron and the compact synchrotron MuCLS
• Electron accelerator and storage ring at MuCLS; picosecond laser and laser cavity at MuCLS
• X-ray interaction with matter; X-ray spectroscopy; X-ray optics and beamlines
• X-ray detectors
• Applications: X-ray imaging
•     Absorption-based imaging and computed tomography
•     X-rays as waves; propagation and coherence; near and far field
•     X-ray phase-contrast imaging
•     X-ray microscopy; imaging with coherent diffractive imaging and ptychography.

After successful participation in the lecture, the students will be able to

• understand the different interactions of X-rays with matter.
• understand the origins of absorption, phase contrast and dark-field contrast and identify the methods to measure these modalities.
• describe the characteristics of conventional laboratory X-ray sources and synchrotron radiation sources.
• predict the requirements for an X-ray source in terms of source size, coherence and energy resolution for a successful experiment.
• select the detector with regard to the necessary efficiency, spatial resolution, readout speed and signal-to-noise ratio.
• analyze and evaluate data from spectroscopic and imaging methods.

No requirements that go beyond the admission requirements for the Master's program.

The contents of the lecture is divided into, on the one hand, basics and advanced aspects of radiation physics and, on the other hand, the technical aspects of the generation and detection of radiation. In particular the cross-connections between these two areas is addressed. Active participation of the students in the form of questions and comments is greatly appreciated. The area is fostered by exercises which include calculations as well as the "virtual" construction of a beamline under cost-benefit aspects. In an accompanying seminar, students can choose one out of about 20 publications on the physical aspects of radiation physics and one of about 20 publications on the technical aspects of radiation physics, familiarize themselves with the topic and present it to their fellow students in two talks.

The content of the lectures is presented as PowerPoint slides. Additions are written either directly into the slides or onto the blackboard. A pdf-version of the content without additions is available on Moodle shortly before the beginning of each lecture.

Philip Willmott
An introduction to Synchrotron Radiation, Wiley, 2011
http://lib.myilibrary.com/Open.aspx?id=317772

Jens Als-Nielsen & Des McMorrow
Elements of Modern X-ray Physics (2nd ed.), Wiley, 2011
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781119998365

David Attwood,
Soft X-rays and Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation, Cambridge University Press, 1999
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/soft-xrays-and-extreme-ultraviolet-radiation/189E4CC382657A1680B4C457B4B29057

Klaus Wille,
Physik der Teilchenbeschleuniger und Synchrotronstrahlungsquellen, Teubner Studienbuecher, 1996
http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-663-11039-2

There will be an oral exam of 25 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using comprehension questions, discussions of sketches and simple formulae.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Please sketch the spectrum of an X-ray tube, a wiggler and an undulator and explain the differences.
• Describe the possibilities of focusing X-rays.
• What possibilities are there to measure X-ray phase contrast?

Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.