X-ray and neutron polycapillary optics: status and perspectives

The state of the capillary optics is now characterized by the transition from solution of the purely research problems to the creating of new devices on the base of these optics: diffractometers, x-ray analyzers, systems for focusing and bending of the synchrotron and neutron beams, etc. A very important event is creating new medical imaging systems. These systems have a large area, high spatial resolution, and wide dynamical range. In this paper the results of experimental investigations on polycapillary optics performed by our Institute are analyzed. A new interference effect of 8 keV photons reflected from a single capillary of 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm diameters is discussed. At this stage technology of the capillary optics manufacturing is a decisive factor. Technology now is developed in a two directions. On one hand, systems with the more smaller capillary diameters are created. On the other hand area of these systems are increased already mounting to hundreds square centimeters. The wide use in the near future of devices based on the polycapillary optics not only in scientific instruments but also in medicine, microelectronics, biology, space, and so on may be forecast.