Water window

The water window is a region of the electromagnetic spectrum in which water is transparent to soft x-rays. The window extends from the K-absorption edge of carbon at 282 eV (68 PHz, 4.40 nm wavelength) to the K-edge of oxygen at 533 eV (129 PHz, 2.33 nm wavelength). Water is transparent to these X-rays, but carbon and its organic compounds are absorbing. These wavelengths could be used in an x-ray microscope for viewing living specimens.[1][2] This is technically challenging because few if any viable lens materials are available above extreme ultraviolet.

Not to be confused with Water hole (radio), Water gate, or Water vapor windows.

See also

References
  1. De Stasio, G.; Gilbert, B.; Nelson, T.; Hansen, R.; Wallace, J.; Mercanti, D.; Capozi, M.; Baudat, P. A.; Perfetti, P.; Margaritondo, G.; Tonner, B. P. (January 2000). "Feasibility tests of transmission x-ray photoelectron emission microscopy of wet samples" (PDF). Review of Scientific Instruments. 71: 11–14. Bibcode:2000RScI...71...11D. doi:10.1063/1.1150151. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-13.
  2. Spielmann, C.; Burnett, N. H.; Sartania, S.; Koppitsch, R.; Schnürer, M.; Kan, C.; Lenzner, M.; Wobrauschek, P.; Krausz, F. (24 Oct 1997). "Generation of Coherent X-rays in the Water Window Using 5-Femtosecond Laser Pulses". Science. 278 (5338): 661–664. Bibcode:1997Sci...278..661S. doi:10.1126/science.278.5338.661.
  • Sebastian Wachsmann-Hogiu; Alexander J Annala; Daniel L Farkas (2004). Colin E. Webb and Julian D. C. Jones (ed.). Handbook of Laser Technology and Applications: Applications. IOP Publishing. p. 2138. ISBN 978-0-7503-0966-0.
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