Properties of a submicrometer x-ray beam at the exit of a waveguide

This report discusses the properties of a 13-keV submicrometer x-ray beam exiting from a waveguide. Waveguides for this spectral regime can be constructed by enclosing a low-absorbing material between highly absorbant metals. Best performance is found for about 0.1 mu m guiding layer thickness. Measurements of the photon beam size close to the exit and of the intensity distribution far from the exit will be presented. From these data one derives a beam size at the exit which is identical to the guiding layer thickness. This number being in the submicrometer range offers interesting perspectives for microscopy experiments in the hard x-ray range. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.