X-rays @NWO Physics 2024

Tuesday January 23^rd, Dr. Igor Makhotkin (of The Industrial Focus Group XUV Optics at the University of Twente) co-chaired the focus session " Evolution of X-ray techniques for nanostructures from incoherent scattering to coherent imaging" at the Dutch national physics conference, NWO Physics.

First of all, we would like to thank co-chair and speaker at this session Giuseppe Portale (RUG) with whom we proposed this session to NWO and compiled such an amazing program. Many thanks to Prof. Christian Schroer (DESY), Laura Rossi (TU Delft) and Milen Gateshki (Malvern Panalytical) for inspiring and incisive talks and, of course, all attendees for a great discussion. There is no more pleasure for the session chair than moderate, lively, and energetic Q&As.

In this session, we have focused on the basics and applications of X-ray techniques for the geometrical characterisation of 3D nano-structures: X-ray ptychography and microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GI-SAXS). These techniques are broadly used in research and development in material science and chemistry. The speakers have presented the most advanced examples of the application of advanced 3D X-ray imaging and scattering-based characterizations available at synchrotrons, as well as extended characterization possibilities currently enabled in laboratory environment.

The good attendance at our X-ray-focused session has nicely demonstrated the high interest of the Dutch physics community in X-ray metrology development and applications.