X-ray refractive axicon lens for advanced synchrotron sources

The optical system consisting of X-ray refractive axicon lenses and traditional parabolic lenses is considered. Such lenses combination makes it possible to flexibly adjust the size of the focused ring-shaped beam produced by axicons changing their number in the optical system. It was theoretically shown that the considered lens system is analogous to the X-ray refractive parabolic axicon. The axicons were made from polycrystalline aluminum by a pressing technique. The optical properties of the presented beam-shaping lens have been experimentally tested at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The obtained results are fully consistent with theoretical calculations. Additionally, the numerical experiment was carried out to demonstrate the influence of the axial symmetry of the optical scheme as a whole and axicons conical shape distortion on the focused annular beam. Future possible applications of the axicon are discussed.