X-ray Diffraction from X-ray Waveguide Arrays for Generation of Coherent X-ray

Abstract

The generation of coherent x-ray beams by using a multi-slit diffraction phenomenon is presented. The mode-confinement conditions in the x-ray waveguide (XWG) needed to obtain single-mode beams are determined. The XWGs are stacked to form an XWG array. The core of the XWG array is used as a slit in an opaque screen, similar to those used for visible light. Diffraction patterns that interfered constructively in the XWG array are investigated based on multi-slit diffraction theory. The irradiance distributions are studied at on observation screen. The FWHM of diffracted x-ray spectra were between $1.67{\times}10^{-4}$ to $3.30{\times}10^{-5}$ radians which lead to a spot-size of a few tens of micrometers on the screen at distance of 1 m. The intensities decrease with increase in the period of the XWG array, i.e. a thicker cladding, due to growth of the higher-order diffraction peaks.