High-resolution water window X-ray imaging of in vivo cells and their products using LiF crystal detectors

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique Vol. 71; no. 1; pp. 35 - 41
• Main Authors: Bonfigli, Francesca, Faenov, Anatoly, Flora, Francesco, Francucci, Massimo, Gaudio, Pasqualino, Lai, Antonia, Martellucci, Sergio, Montereali, Rosa Maria, Pikuz, Tania, Reale, Lucia, Richetta, Maria, Vincenti, Maria Aurora, Baldacchini, Giuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Chlorella - cytology; Chlorella - metabolism; color centers; Crystallization; Fluorides - chemistry; imaging detectors; Lithium Compounds - chemistry; lithium fluoride; Microscopy, Fluorescence - instrumentation; Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods; X-ray microscopy; X-Rays
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20523

High contrast imaging of in vivo Chlorella sorokiniana cells with submicron spatial resolution was obtained with a contact water window X‐ray microscopy technique using a point‐like, laser‐plasma produced, water‐window X‐ray radiation source, and LiF crystals as detectors. This novel type of X‐ray imaging detectors is based on photoluminescence of stable electronic point defects, characterized by high intrinsic resolution. The fluorescence images obtained on LiF crystals exposed in single‐shot experiments demonstrate the high sensitivity and dynamic range of this new detector. The powerful performances of LiF crystals allowed us to detect the exudates of Chlorella cells in their living medium and their spatial distribution in situ, without any special sample preparation. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.