Coherent X-ray Diffractive Imaging of Topological Defects in Operando Energy Storage Materials

We developed lensless x-ray microscopy techniques, which rely on coherent properties of x-ray beams, and eliminate the need for focusing optics altogether, replacing it with a computational algorithm. We have applied these techniques to image the distribution of lattice strain in wide range of nanostructures. Lens-less imaging, also known as Coherent X-ray Diffractive Imaging (CXDI) technque is especially powerful in Bragg scattering geometry (see Fig. 1) for in-operando imaging of lithium ion diffusion and dislocation dynamics in lithium ion energy storage devices.