Piezoelectric Mirror for X-ray Nanobeam Focusing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reflective surface shape controllable mirrors face challenges in achieving sub-10nm hard X-ray nanobeam focusing due to surface shape distortions caused by temperature differences and environmental conditions, limiting the accuracy of shape measurement and machining, and requiring precise correction of reflection phase errors in multilayer coatings.

Innovation Solution

A reflective surface shape controllable mirror device with a laminated structure using piezoelectric elements arranged along the sides of a substrate, allowing for voltage application to correct shape errors and adjust the focal length, incorporating a multichannel control system for precise voltage application to restore initial shape and correct phase errors in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a mirror with large curvature and high shape accuracy is manufactured to achieve smaller focused beam diameter and high energy, then focusing performance is improved, but the mirror shape is strained due to temperature and environmental conditions, affecting focusing performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemirror shape accuracyVSAvoidfocusing performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies piezoelectric elements to the mirror substrate to enable dynamic adjustment of the mirror surface shape. This allows the mirror to adapt its shape in real-time to compensate for thermal and environmental distortions, transforming a static optical system into a dynamic one that can maintain optimal focusing performance under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by applying voltages to piezoelectric elements, which alter the mirror surface curvature and shape. This enables precise control of the wavefront and focal properties, allowing optimization of focusing performance while compensating for temperature-induced shape changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If nanomachining is performed to achieve nano-order accuracy in the reflective surface shape, then manufacturing precision is improved, but wavelength differences between reference light and X-ray cause phase errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflective surface accuracyVSAvoidphase error accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical measurement methods with piezoelectric actuation for shape control. Instead of relying on optical interferometry that suffers from wavelength-dependent phase errors, the system uses piezoelectric elements to directly control the mirror shape, enabling accurate X-ray wavefront control independent of optical measurement limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from optical phase measurement to piezoelectric voltage application. By controlling the mirror shape through voltage-driven piezoelectric elements rather than iterative optical measurement and correction, the system eliminates wavelength-mismatch phase errors while maintaining nano-order surface accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the mirror structure is made rigid to maintain shape stability, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to correct shape errors and adjust focal length is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidwavefront correction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure combining a rigid mirror substrate with piezoelectric elements. This composite design maintains the structural stability and shape rigidity of the substrate while incorporating the adaptive shape-control capabilities of piezoelectric materials, achieving both reliability and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities to an otherwise static rigid mirror structure. The piezoelectric elements enable the rigid substrate to actively adjust its surface shape in response to control signals, providing wavefront correction and focal length adjustment while maintaining overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device achieves nm-order shape accuracy by eliminating distortions caused by temperature differences and environmental conditions, allowing for adjustable wavefront correction and focal length changes, enabling sub-10nm hard X-ray nanobeam focusing with improved spatial resolution and flexibility in optical systems.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of piezoelectric elements are attached to at least the front surface of the substrate so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the X-ray reflective surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2521136B1Mirror device for controlling shape of reflective surface, and method for producing mirror for controlling shape of reflective surface
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 JTEC CORP
  • EP2521136B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2521136B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)
  • EP2521136B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~5(b)

AI summary

The device is configured from: a reflective surface shape controllable mirror in which a band-shaped X-ray reflective surface 2 is formed on a central portion of a front surface of a substrate 1, reference planes 3 are formed along both sides of the X-ray reflective surface, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 4 are attached to at least one of front and back surfaces of the substrate so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the X-ray reflective surface on both side portions of the substrate, and a multichannel control system for applying a voltage to each of the piezoelectric elements.