X-rays are used in an x-ray microscope to magnify images of small objects. This provides unique details that other microscopy technologies may not be able to see. The ability to handle thick objects, such as whole cells, is one advantage of an x-ray microscope, which can provide important insight into structures and their function. With the help of this equipment, research facilities with x-ray microscopy capabilities can conduct a variety of experiments.
Because the naked eye cannot see x-rays, an x-ray microscope differs from the standard bench equipment that some people are used to. Because x-rays are invisible, people looking through a lens would see nothing. Instead, the device either exposes film or a sensitized plate capable of displaying false color electronic images. The images show where the x-rays are dense and scatter, highlighting the presence of various structures within the specimen.
X-ray microscope technicians can prepare and mount specimens on the microscope stage using a variety of protocols. They can check the output after each exposure to see if any adjustments are needed for clarity or to see specific structures. The final images can be printed for review by researchers or to accompany scientific papers and announcements in publications. Some of them can be quite striking, particularly when sharpened and cleaned in image editing software.
There are a variety of x-ray microscope designs to choose from. A basic projection microscope, for example, uses x-rays to pass through a specimen. This is inefficient compared to a lens design that uses a condenser to focus the rays. Focused x-rays are less prone to scattering and errors, which can reduce image clarity. Researchers can also use a scanning x-ray microscope to create a series of “slices,” or images from different perspectives, by changing the position of the specimen between shots.
Multiple microscopy images can be combined to create a three-dimensional image, which can be used to highlight structures of interest in a cutaway. Various imaging techniques can also be combined to take advantage of the various resolutions they provide in a coherent combined picture that improves visibility and provides important information. X-ray microscopy technicians can take very sharp, clear images and may be able to advise on how to combine and use them for the best effect. Imaging technicians with specialized skills can be an important part of a research team because their work can illuminate a subject in unexpected ways.