Ptychographic X-ray Microscopy with the Vacuum Imaging Apparatus HORST.

Imaging is one of the key drivers for new scientific insights - from the observation of distant stars in astronomy to microscopic studies of sub-cellular structures in biology. In the latter case, X-rays are a versatile probe due to their small wavelength and thus high spatial sensitivity. We give an overview of applicable lensless, coherent imaging approaches relying on scattering with a focus on ptychographic microscopy and discuss the experimental requirements for the soft X-ray scattering experiment HORST. Besides the experiment itself, we highlight the importance of sample environments, especially when biological specimens are investigated. Here, the water window is of central importance. In addition to exploitation of the contrast and resolution, resonant ptychography allows to distinguish chemical species at high spatial resolution with both phase and amplitude contrast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]