Formation of high-aspect-ratio nanocavity in LiF crystal using a femtosecond X-ray free-electron laser pulse.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41408039.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-66481-6 and PMC identifier 12749636.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Recent research and development into the formation of nanoscale channels as a central component of nanofluidic biochip systems revolutionized the biological and chemical fields. Exploration of new pathways to form nanochannels is increasingly necessary to provide a new generation of analytical tools with accurate control of liquid fluid flow, high selectivity and increased mass flow rate. Here, we demonstrate that a single 9-keV pulse from X-ray free-electron-laser can form a nanoscale mm-long cavity in LiF. The laser-generated shock pressure results in channel formation with >1,000 length-to-diameter aspect ratio. The development of void is analyzed via continuum and atomistic simulations revealing a sequence of processes leading to the final long cavity structure. This work presents the study of mm-long nanochannel formation by a single high-brilliance X-ray free-electron laser pulse. With MHz repetition rate X-ray free electron laser opens a new avenue for the development of lab-on-chip applications in any material, including those non-transparent to optical lasers.