Beamlines and Facilities: Beamline: 32-ID-B

Introduction

32ID beamline entertains 4 different techniques: High speed imaging, Phase contrast imaging, Transmission X-ray microscope and USAXS Imaging. The beamline has 2 experimental stations, one at about 40 m and another at 70 m from the source (APS Undulator A). Both stations are monochromatic- and white-beam compatible.

For white beam imaging, a heat load solenoid shutter with an opening time of ~ 5 ms is used. This is coupled with a high speed rotating disk chopper with an opening time of ~ 5 microsecond for use in single bunch (150 ps) exposures (see also here).

Typical imaging parameters:
Maximum beam size ~ 3 mm x 2 mm.
Minimum exposure times ~ 200 microsecond in monochromatic beam, 150 ps in white beam
Monochromatic energy range: 8-35 keV
Overall detector system spatial resolution ~ 2-3 micron

Science:

While a lot is known about the morphology and physiology of living things, this information is mostly limited to subjects larger than a few centimeters. In order to visualize the internal biomechanics and physiological dynamics of millimeter-sized animals, a probe needs to (1) be able to penetrate the typically opaque exterior, (2) have spatial resolutions better than 50 micron (depends on the object of interest), (3) have temporal resolutions better than 50 ms (depends on object of interest) and (4) have sensitivity to soft tissue. X-ray phase-contrast imaging is well-suited for this. Using this technique, we have, for the first time, direct visualization of the respiratory dynamics of many insects. In addition, by using iodine as a contrast agent, we have visualized the uptake and transport of food in several insect species.

Movie#1: Field of view is ~ 3 mm H x 2 mm V, recorded with video camera. Tracheal compressions in a beetle.

Movie#2: Field of view is ~ 3 mm x 2 mm V, recorded with video camera. Ant drinking CdWO4-laced sugar solution.

Contacts:

Beamline Scientists:

Wah-Keat Lee (Phase and High Speed Imaging) - ph: 630.252.7759 ; email: wklee@aps.anl.gov

Kamel Fezza (Phase and High Speed Imaging) - ph: 630.252.3638 ; email: fezzaa@aps.anl.gov

Jan Ilavsky (USAXS Imaging) - ph: 630.252.0866 ; email: ilavsky@aps.anl.gov

Postdoctoral Research Associate:

Jake Socha (Imaging of Insects and small animals) ph: 630.252.8548 ; email: jjsocha@aps.anl.gov

Techniques

• Radiography
• Transmission X-ray microscope
• USAXS Imaging

Beamline and source parameters

• Source: APS undulator A
• Monochromator: 8-35keV

References

1. “Tracheal Respiration in Insects Visualized with Synchrotron X-ray Imaging", M. W. Westneat, O. Betz, R. W. Blob, K. Fezzaa, W. J. Cooper, and W.-K. Lee, Science, 299(5606), 558-560, Jan 24 (2003).
2. "Real-time phase-contrast x-ray imaging: a new technique for the study of animal form and function", J. J. Socha, M. W. Westneat, J. F. Harrison, J. S. Waters and W.-K. Lee, BMC Biology 5:6, (2007).