ANATOMIX is a beamline for X-ray tomography on the micro- and nanoscale, in absorption and phase contrast. It operates in the energy range from 5 keV upward and allows its users to obtain two- and three-dimensional radiographic images of bulk volume samples of macroscopic size (up to several cm thickness). For smaller samples, a spatial resolution down to 50 nm (20 nm pixel size) can be achieved. Real-time studies are possible at speeds of currently up to one microtomography scan per second; higher speeds up to 20 volume scans per second (50 ms per scan) have been demonstrated.

A flexible sample interface enables in situ and/or operando studies under conditions similar to the natural or working environment of the samples (temperature, humidity, mechanical load, transport processes). Biological samples can be measured without dehydration and, in many cases, without chemical fixation. With suitable sample preparation, cellular imaging without cryogenic environment is possible.

The beamline currently offers two spectral modes:

• filtered white beam;
• monochromatic beam from a double-crystal monochromator (DCM, ΔE/E ≈ 10^-4, up to ≈ 25 keV).

Two types experimental stations cover different ranges of spatial resolution:

• Parallel-beam microtomography in absorption and phase contrast – spatial resolution down to 1 µm (smallest pixel size 300 nm; maximum possible beam size: 40 mm x 15 mm [H x V]).
• Full-field transmission X-ray microscope (TXM, nanotomography) – spatial resolution down to 50 nm (pixel size from 20 to 80 nm; field of view 40 µm x 40 µm; discrete working energy values).

Like all other SOLEIL beamlines, ANATOMIX is open to users from all countries, free of charge when applying for beamtime via a proposal. If you are considering measurements on ANATOMIX, visit our beamline web page and check out the ANATOMIX beamline user guide (PDF). And, of course, contact the beamline staff for advice.

ANATOMIX is an Equipment of Excellence (EQUIPEX) funded by the Investments for the Future program of the French National Research Agency (ANR), project NanoimagesX, grant no. ANR-11-EQPX-0031.