Soft X-ray Imaging Research Articles

Energetic Electron Distribution of the Coronal Acceleration Region: First Results from Joint Microwave and Hard X-Ray Imaging Spectroscopy

Abstract Nonthermal sources located above bright flare arcades, referred to as the “above-the-loop-top” sources, have been often suggested as the primary electron acceleration site in major solar flares. The X8.2 limb flare on 2017 September 10 features such an above-the-loop-top source, which was observed in both microwaves and hard X-rays (HXRs) by the Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array and the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager, respectively. By combining the microwave and HXR imaging spectroscopy observations with multifilter extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray imaging data, we derive the coronal magnetic field and energetic electron distribution of the source over a broad energy range from <10 keV up to ∼MeV during the early impulsive phase of the flare. The source has a strong magnetic field of over 800 G. The best-fit electron distribution consists of a thermal “core” from ∼25 MK plasma. A nonthermal power-law “tail” joins the thermal core at ∼16 keV with a spectral index of ∼3.6, which breaks down at above ∼160 keV to >6.0. Temporally resolved analysis suggests that the electron distribution above the break energy rapidly hardens with the spectral index decreasing from >20 to ∼6.0 within 20 s, or less than ∼10 Alfvén crossing times in the source. These results provide strong support for the above-the-loop-top source as the primary site where an ongoing bulk acceleration of energetic electrons is taking place very early in the flare energy release.

Soft x-ray imaging spectroscopy with micrometer resolution

Soft x-ray spectroscopy is invaluable for gaining insight into quantum materials. However, it is typically conducted in a spatially averaging way, making it blind to inhomogeneity in samples. Here, we demonstrate how we couple imaging to x-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. Accordingly, we use a 2D detector and an off-axis Fresnel zone plate that images the sample in one spatial dimension and provides spectroscopic information in the other dimension. With our setup, we envision to enable a more detailed understanding of how the behavior of microscopic domains determines the functionality of quantum materials.

EUV and Hard X-ray Hartmann Wavefront Sensing for Optical Metrology, Alignment and Phase Imaging.

For more than 15 years, Imagine Optic have developed Extreme Ultra Violet (EUV) and X-ray Hartmann wavefront sensors for metrology and imaging applications. These sensors are compatible with a wide range of X-ray sources: from synchrotrons, Free Electron Lasers, laser-driven betatron and plasma-based EUV lasers to High Harmonic Generation. In this paper, we first describe the principle of a Hartmann sensor and give some key parameters to design a high-performance sensor. We also present different applications from metrology (for manual or automatic alignment of optics), to soft X-ray source optimization and X-ray imaging.

Niemann Pick C2 protein enables cholesterol transfer from endo-lysosomes to the plasma membrane for efflux by shedding of extracellular vesicles

The Niemann-Pick C2 protein (NPC2) is a sterol transfer protein in the lumen of late endosomes and lysosomes (LE/LYSs). Absence of functional NPC2 leads to endo-lysosomal buildup of cholesterol and other lipids. How NPC2’s known capacity to transport cholesterol between model membranes is linked to its function in living cells is not known. Using quantitative live-cell imaging combined with modeling of the efflux kinetics, we show that NPC2-deficient human fibroblasts can export the cholesterol analog dehydroergosterol (DHE) from LE/LYSs. Internalized NPC2 accelerated sterol efflux extensively, accompanied by reallocation of LE/LYSs containing fluorescent NPC2 and DHE to the cell periphery. Using quantitative fluorescence loss in photobleaching of TopFluor-cholesterol (TF-Chol), we estimate a residence time for a rapidly exchanging sterol pool in LE/LYSs localized in close proximity to the plasma membrane (PM), of less than one min and observed non-vesicular sterol exchange between LE/LYSs and the PM. Excess sterol was released from the PM by shedding of cholesterol-rich vesicles. The ultrastructure of such vesicles was analyzed by combined fluorescence and cryo soft X-ray tomography (SXT), revealing that they can contain lysosomal cargo and intraluminal vesicles. Treating cells with apoprotein A1 and with nuclear receptor liver X-receptor (LXR) agonists to upregulate expression of ABC transporters enhanced cholesterol efflux from the PM, at least partly by accelerating vesicle release. We conclude that NPC2 inside LE/LYSs facilitates non-vesicular sterol exchange with the PM for subsequent sterol efflux to acceptor proteins and for shedding of sterol-rich vesicles from the cell surface.

Multiphoton Imaging of Melanoma 3D Models with Plasmonic Nanocapsules

We have synthesized plasmonic nanocapsules and have studied their induced cellular responses in 3D melanoma models towards its perspective use as photothermal therapeutic agent. The nanocapsules’ wall is composed of polyelectrolytes. The inner part is functionalized with discrete gold nanoislands. The nanocapsules’ cavity contains a fluorescent payload to show their ability for loading a cargo. The nanocapsules exhibit simultaneous two-photon luminescent and fluorescent properties. Their dual imaging properties are exploited for the first time to study cellular responses towards the exposure of 3D melanoma models to the nanocapsules. Specifically, we studied cellular uptake, toxicity, intracellular fate, generation of reactive oxygen species and effect on levels of hypoxia using multi-photon and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The presence of the gold nanostructured enabled the study of cell-nanocapsule interactions with soft X-ray tomography. We confirmed maintenance of the nanocapsules’ geometry in the intracellular milieu with no impairment of the cellular ultrastructure. Furthermore, we observed lack of cellular toxicity and no alteration of oxygen or reactive oxygen species levels. These results in 3D melanoma models contributes to the development of these nanocapsules for their exploitation in future application as agents for imaging guided photothermal therapy.

A new inversion method for reconstruction of plasmaspheric He<sup>+</sup> density from EUV images

The Computer Tomography (CT) method is used for remote sensing the Earth’s plasmasphere. One challenge for image reconstruction is insufficient projection data, mainly caused by limited projection angles. In this study, we apply the Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART) and the minimization of the image Total Variation (TV) method, with a combination of priori knowledge of north–south symmetry, to reconstruct plasmaspheric He⁺ density from simulated EUV images. The results demonstrate that incorporating priori assumption can be particularly useful when the projection data is insufficient. This method has good performance even with a projection angle of less than 150 degrees. The method of our study is expected to have applications in the Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) reconstruction for the Solar wind–Magnetosphere–Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission.

Soft x-ray imaging system used for Z-pinch experiments

基于塑料闪烁体转换和光学条纹相机的方法建立了一套用于Z箍缩实验中的软X射线条纹图像诊断系统, 解决了以往实验中使用的X射线条纹相机易被电磁环境干扰以及相机电极部件易被实验产生的高速粒子损伤的问题. 诊断系统的光谱响应范围主要集中在0.2—10 keV, 系统的空间分辨率经过理论评估小于120 μm, 通过标定闪烁体对X射线的时间响应特性给出了系统的时间分辨率约为1 ns. 诊断系统拍摄到了铝丝阵内爆等离子体的一维空间和时间分辨的X射线条纹图像, 给出了等离子体的内爆一致性和辐射均匀性等特征信息.

3D Imaging and Quantification of the Integrin at a Single-Cell Base on a Multisignal Nanoprobe and Synchrotron Radiation Soft X-ray Tomography Microscopy.

The development of three-dimensional (3D) single-cell imaging and protein quantitative methods can provide more comprehensive information for diagnoses. We report the design and synthesis of a multisignal nanoprobe (AuGdNC@BSA-CV) for single-cell 3D imaging and quantifying the integrin αIIbβ3 using correlated synchrotron radiation soft X-ray tomography microscopy and an iterative tomographic algorithm termed equally sloped tomography for the first time. Moreover, on the basis of the Au or Gd content of our nanoprobe, the number of integrin αIIbβ3 on a single cell also can be accurately quantified (1.5 × 107 per cell) via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Design and optimization of a soft X-ray tomography system on Keda Torus eXperiment

Abstract We report about the soft X-ray (SXR) tomography system which is being developed on Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX). The tomographic system aims at studying three dimensional effects in reversed field pinch with high plasma current, particularly in quasi-single-helicity state (QSH). The view distribution of the probes has been carefully designed to reflect the experimental constraints. Bayesian experimental design (BED) is used to optimize the signal camera location and camera opening angle, aiming at maximizing the gain information in future QSH states. The BED approach allows us to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the design, and to estimate the design robustness. The physical image of the plasma is tomographically reconstructed using Cormack approach and the reconstructed emissivity image may be compared to the emissivity model using the residual error χ. The camera location, camera opening angle, and sightline density are finally decided by quantitatively comparing diverse designs in order to achieve the best reconstruction.

Visualizing subcellular rearrangements in intact β cells using soft x-ray tomography.

Characterizing relationships between cell structures and functions requires mesoscale mapping of intact cells showing subcellular rearrangements following stimulation; however, current approaches are limited in this regard. Here, we report a unique application of soft x-ray tomography to generate three-dimensional reconstructions of whole pancreatic β cells at different time points following glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Reconstructions following stimulation showed distinct insulin vesicle distribution patterns reflective of altered vesicle pool sizes as they travel through the secretory pathway. Our results show that glucose stimulation caused rapid changes in biochemical composition and/or density of insulin packing, increased mitochondrial volume, and closer proximity of insulin vesicles to mitochondria. Costimulation with exendin-4 (a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist) prolonged these effects and increased insulin packaging efficiency and vesicle maturation. This study provides unique perspectives on the coordinated structural reorganization and interactions of organelles that dictate cell responses.

Revealing 3D magnetization of thin films with soft X-ray tomography: magnetic singularities and topological charges

The knowledge of how magnetization looks inside a ferromagnet is often hindered by the limitations of the available experimental methods which are sensitive only to the surface regions or limited in spatial resolution. Here we report a vector tomographic reconstruction based on soft X-ray transmission microscopy and magnetic dichroism data, which has allowed visualizing the three-dimensional magnetization in a ferromagnetic thin film heterostructure. Different non-trivial topological textures have been resolved and the determination of their topological charge has allowed us to identify a Bloch point and a meron-like texture. Our method relies only on experimental data and might be of wide application and interest in 3D nanomagnetism.

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction and Thermal Modeling of Observed Loops

Due to their characteristic temperature and density, loop structures in active regions (ARs) can be seen bright in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray images. The semiempirical determination of the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of basic physical parameters (electronic density and temperature, and magnetic field) is a key constraint for coronal heating models. In this work we develop a technique for the study of EUV bright loops based on differential emission measure (DEM) analysis and we first apply it to AR structures observed by the {Atmospheric Imaging Assembly} (AIA) on board the {Solar Dynamics Observatory} (SDO). The 3D structure and intensity of the magnetic field of the observed EUV loops are modelled using force-free field extrapolations based on magnetograms taken by the {Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager} (HMI) on board SDO. In this work we report the results obtained for several bright loops identified in different ARs. Our analysis indicates that the mean and width of the temperature distributions are nearly invariant along the loop lengths. For a particular loop we study its temporal evolution and find that these characteristics remain approximately constant for most of its life time. The appearance and disappearance of this loop occurs at time-scales much shorter than its life time of $\approx 2.5$ hours. The results of this analysis are compared with numerical simulations using the zero-dimensional (0D) hydrodynamic model, Enthalpy-Based Thermal Evolution of Loops (EBTEL). We study two alternative heating scenarios: first, we apply a constant heating rate assuming loops in quasi-static equilibrium, and second, we heat the loops using impulsive events or nanoflares. We find that all the observed loops are overdense with respect to a quasi-static equilibrium solution and that the nanoflare heating better reproduces the observed densities and temperatures.

Deep learning for Gaussian process soft x-ray tomography model selection in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak

Gaussian process tomography (GPT) is a method used for obtaining real-time tomographic reconstructions of the plasma emissivity profile in tokamaks, given some model for the underlying physical processes involved. GPT can also be used, thanks to Bayesian formalism, to perform model selection, i.e., comparing different models and choosing the one with maximum evidence. However, the computations involved in this particular step may become slow for data with high dimensionality, especially when comparing the evidence for many different models. Using measurements collected by the Soft X-Ray (SXR) diagnostic in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak, we train a convolutional neural network to map SXR tomographic projections to the corresponding GPT model whose evidence is highest. We then compare the network's results, and the time required to calculate them, with those obtained through analytical Bayesian formalism. In addition, we use the network's classifications to produce tomographic reconstructions of the plasma emissivity profile.

Experimental studies on the charge transfer inefficiency of CCD developed for the soft X-ray imaging telescope Xtend aboard the XRISM satellite

We present experimental studies on the charge transfer inefficiency (CTI) of charge-coupled device (CCD) developed for the soft X-ray imaging telescope, Xtend, aboard the XRISM satellite. The CCD is equipped with a charge injection (CI) capability, in which sacrificial charge is periodically injected to fill the charge traps. By evaluating the re-emission of the trapped charge observed behind the CI rows, we find that there are at least three trap populations with different time constants. The traps with the shortest time constant, which is equivalent to a transfer time of approximately one pixel, are mainly responsible for the trailing charge of an X-ray event seen in the following pixel. A comparison of the trailing charge in two clocking modes reveals that the CTI depends not only on the transfer time but also on the area, namely the imaging or storage area. We construct a new CTI model by taking into account both transfer-time and area dependence. This model reproduces the data obtained in both clocking modes consistently. We also examine apparent flux dependence of the CTI observed without the CI technique. The higher incident X-ray flux is, the lower the CTI value becomes. It is due to a sacrificial charge effect by another X-ray photon. This effect is found to be negligible when the CI technique is used.

ECCD-induced sawtooth crashes at W7-X

The optimised superconducting stellarator W7-X generates its rotational transform by means of external coils, therefore no toroidal current is necessary for plasma confinement. Electron cyclotron current drive experiments were conducted for strikeline control and safe divertor operation. During current drive experiments periodic and repetitive crashes of the central electron temperature, similar to sawtooth crashes in tokamaks, were detected. Measurements from soft x-ray tomography and electron cyclotron emission show that the crashes are preceded by weak oscillating precursors and a displacement of the plasma core, consistent with a (m, n) = (1, 1) mode. The displacement occurs within , followed by expulsion and redistribution of the core into the external part of the plasma. Two types of crashes, with different frequencies and amplitudes are detected in the experimental program. For these non-stationary parameters a strong dependence on the toroidal current is found. A 1-D heuristic model for current diffusion is proposed as a first step to explain the characteristic crash time. Initial results show that the modelled current diffusion timescale is consistent with the initial crash frequency and that the toroidal current rise shifts the position where the instability is triggered, resulting in larger crash amplitudes.

Nucleoid Remodeling During Environmental Adaptation as Seen Through Soft X-ray Tomography

Nucleoid Remodeling During Environmental Adaptation as Seen Through Soft X-ray Tomography

Advances in Soft X-ray Tomography

Advances in Soft X-ray Tomography

Correlated Soft X-ray and Cryogenic Fluorescence Tomography Is a Powerful Tool to Explore the Role of Mitochondria-associated Membranes in Insulin Secretory Pathway

Correlated Soft X-ray and Cryogenic Fluorescence Tomography Is a Powerful Tool to Explore the Role of Mitochondria-associated Membranes in Insulin Secretory Pathway

The need to freeze-Dehydration during specimen preparation for electron microscopy collapses the endothelial glycocalyx regardless of fixation method.

The endothelial glycocalyx covers the luminal surface of the endothelium and plays key roles in vascular function. Despite its biological importance, ideal visualization techniques are lacking. The current study aimed to improve the preservation and subsequent imaging quality of the endothelial glycocalyx. In mice, the endothelial glycocalyx was contrasted with a mixture of lanthanum and dysprosium (LaDy). Standard chemical fixation was compared with high-pressure frozen specimens processed with freeze substitution. Also, isolated brain microvessels and cultured endothelial cells were high-pressure frozen and by transmission soft x-rays, imaged under cryogenic conditions. The endothelial glycocalyx was in some tissues significantly more voluminous from chemically fixed specimens compared with high-pressure frozen specimens. LaDy labeling introduced excessive absorption contrast, which impeded glycocalyx measurements in isolated brain microvessels when using transmission soft x-rays. In non-contrasted vessels, the glycocalyx was not resolved. LaDy-contrasted, cultured brain endothelial cells allowed to assess glycocalyx volume in vitro. Both chemical and cryogenic fixation followed by dehydration lead to substantial collapse of the glycocalyx. Cryogenic fixation without freeze substitution could be a way forward although transmission soft x-ray tomography based solely on amplitude contrast seems unsuitable.

Optical blocking performance of CCDs developed for the X-ray Astronomy Satellite XRISM

We have been developing P-channel Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) for the upcoming X-ray Astronomy Satellite XRISM, planned to be launched in 2021. While the basic design of the CCD camera (Soft X-ray Imager: SXI) is almost the same as that of the lost Hitomi (ASTRO-H) observatory, we are planning to reduce the phenomenon of “light leakages” that is one of the largest problems recognized in Hitomi data. We adopted a double-layer optical blocking layer on the XRISM CCDs and also added an extra aluminum layer on the backside of them. We develop a newly designed test sample CCD and irradiate it with optical light to evaluate the optical blocking performance. As a result, light leakages are effectively reduced compared with that of the Hitomi CCDs. We thus conclude that the issue is solved by the new design and that the XRISM CCDs satisfy the mission requirement for the SXI.