<title>Applications and instrumentation advances with the Stony Brook scanning transmission x-ray microscope</title>

Abstract

Scanning transmission x-ray microscopes (STXM) are well matched to the optics of high resolution monochromators, offer a variety of imaging modes and can minimize radiation damage to the specimen. We describe the Stony Brook STXM at the NSLS. This microscope is used for a variety of studies by many users; we briefly outline its use for studies of hydrated colloidal system and for dark field microscopy on immunogold labeled specimens as examples. In order to keep pace with developments in zone plate optics, spectroscopy and a variety of imaging modalities, the microscope is being redesigned and its characteristics are discussed. Its preliminary x-ray detector will be a new multiware proportional counter with high count rate capability.