Apparatus and method for focusing hard X-rays

An apparatus for projecting an image defined by a mask onto a surface comprising:

• a first substantially dislocation-free single-substance crystal;
• means for projecting diffuse hard X-ray or gamma ray radiation upon said dislocation-free single-substance crystal;
• a second substantially dislocation-free composite-substance crystal having a linearly-varying lattice constant along a length thereof, said mask interposed between said first and second crystals, said second crystal having a first end thereof for receiving said hard X-ray or gamma ray radiation, and a second end from which said hard X-ray or gamma ray radiation exits said second crystal, said first end having a lattice constant which is greater than a lattice constant of the second end;
• means for interposing the mask between said dislocation-free single-substance crystal and said dislocation-free composite substance crystal;
• and
• means for positioning the surface in a path of said hard X-ray or gamma ray radiation which exit said dislocation-free composite substance crystal.

A method for convergently focusing a hard X-ray image or gamma ray image onto a surface comprising:

• directing diffuse hard X-ray or gamma ray radiation through a first substantially dislocation-free single-substance crystal to produce a collimated hard X-ray beam or gamma ray beam;
• directing said collimated hard X-ray beam or gamma ray beam upon a second substantially dislocation-free composite-substance crystal having a lattice constant which decreases over a length thereof from a first end having a first lattice constant to a second end thereof having a second lattice constant whereby said surface receives said focussed hard X-ray or gamma ray beam, wherein said collimated hard X-ray beam or gamma ray beam is directed upon said first end and exits said second end;
• interposing a mask between said first dislocation-free crystal and said second dislocation-free crystal to provide a hard X-ray or gamma ray image to said second crystal;
• and
• positioning the surface in the path of radiation which exits said second end of said dislocation-free composite-substance crystal.

A system for manufacturing an article comprising:

• means for providing collimated hard X-ray or gamma ray radiation;
• crystal means for receiving and focussing said radiation to provide focussed hard X-ray or gamma ray radiation;
• and
• means for using said focussed radiation to manufacture an article;
• wherein said crystal means comprises a crystal having a first end and a second end distanced by a length of said crystal means, said crystal means having a lattice constant that decreases over said length, and said crystal means for receiving said hard x-ray or gamma ray radiation and converging said radiation as said radiation propagates from said first end to said second end over said length to provide focussed hard x-ray or gamma ray radiation.