Measure signals more precisely with Alcorix beam blockers

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A beam blocker in shape of a small-diameter absorbing disk is placed in the optical path to block zero order diffracted beam passing through a zone plate, or for stopping the direct beam passing through capillary focusing optics. Other uses include optical filtering and apodization. Alcorix has a variety of standard configurations, and can work with you if you need to develop a customized solution.

Beam blockers are gold cylinders placed on top of SiNx membranes, supported by a Si frame. The area surrounding the gold cylinder is highly X-ray transparent and free of debris, particles, and contamination.

Cylinder diameters are in the 25 micrometer to 250 micrometer range, with heights from few to 120 micrometer, typically >80 micrometer.

Alcorix’s beam stops usually come with a gold frame surrounding the cylinder area, outside the membrane region. The gold frame has the same height as the cylinder and its role is to protect the cylinder and membrane in case the chip touches any flat surface with the gold structure side. This allows also safe storage, manipulation, and transportation.

The Si chips can be 5 mm x 5 mm or 3 mm x 3 mm. Other shapes and sizes also available on custom orders.

Membrane sizes are 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm or 1 mm x 1 mm and have a typical thickness of 0.35 um or 0.50 um. A Cr/Au layer used as plating base is also present. This leaves the membrane only slightly transparent in visible light. The plating base can be removed on demand, leaving the membrane highly transparent.

Customization of beam stops include optional off-center positioning, membranes with several beam stop cylinders, custom frames constituting filed apertures, custom carrier chip configurations and many more. Beam stops can also be custom integrated on other devices.