Fixed Target Single-shot Imaging of Nanostructures using Thin Solid Membranes at SACLA

Abstract

Single-shot imaging using femtosecond x-ray pulses from x-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) has revealed high-resolution structures of Au nanoparticles and biological macromolecular complexes. The x-ray pulse power of 10GW is enough to vaporize specimen when it is focused on a few microns area. This makes it essential to have a single particle loader to provide fresh samples to the x-ray pulses. In this paper we introduce single-shot imaging at Spring-8 Angstrom Compact Free Electron Laser (SACLA) to investigate various types of specimen, from metallic nanoparticles to biological macromolecules, prepared on Si3N4 membrane. A significant reduction in sample consumption is achieved while maintaining a data acquisition rate of 30 Hz, which is compatible with the current SACLA operation rate.