Sub 1-μm resolution “water-window” microscopy using a compact, laser-plasma SXR source based on a double stream gas-puff target

We report for the first time on a compact, desk-top size, laboratory-type microscopy setup, based on nitrogen gas puff target soft X-ray source, which emits radiation in “water-window” spectral range. The microscope employs Wolter type-I objective and allows capturing magnified images of objects with 850 nm spatial resolution and exposure time as low as a few seconds. Details about the source and the microscope as well as imaging results for test and biological objects are presented and discussed.