With the development of the next generation of synchrotron radiation and free electron lasers in recent years, X-ray measurement and imaging, such as X-ray holography and biochemical microscopy, has become a hot spot again. However, traditional phase shifters cannot be used in the region of X-ray due to the strong absorption of material, which has greatly hindered the development speed. Based on previous discoveries, in 1965 common-path lensless Fourier-transform X-ray holography was proposed and applied to imaging phase-only objects.

Recently, a group of researchers headed by Dr. Zhang Junyong at the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have introduced the concept of Yin and Yang of the Chinese Taiji diagram into diffractive lenses and successfully constructed a kind of phase-shifting three-dimensional focal system, which can be used for lensless Fourier-transform X-ray holography.

Three thousand years ago, Chinese Taiji suggested the law of the unity of opposites. Now the diffraction competition of Yin and Yang can be used to generate multiple phase-shifting focal spots, which are located at the object plane in order to realize phase-shifting lensless Fourier-transform X-ray holography.

In the following experiment, they designed the amplitude-only Taiji lenses and used them to image a 1951 U.S. Air Force resolution test target and a vortex focal spot. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical analysis and verify the validity of the phase shift function of Chinese Taiji lens.

In developing the next generation of synchrotron light source (free-electron lasers), the amplitude-only Taiji lens will offer an opportunity for X-ray holography, biochemical microscopy at short wavelengths, and X-ray spectroscopy in physical and life sciences.

This research, entitled "Phase-shifting lensless Fourier-transform holography with a Chinese Taiji lens" has been published in Optics Letters (Opt. Lett. 43, 4085, 2018) on August 17, 2018.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Zhang Junyong

E-mail: zhangjy829@siom.ac.cn

Mr. Cao Yong 

General Administrative Office

Email: caoyong@siom.ac.cn

Source: R&D Center of High Power Laser Components

and Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, CAS