Ghost imaging at an XUV free-electron laser

Abstract

Here we present the results of a classical ghost imaging experiment accomplished at an XUV free-electron laser (FEL). To perform such experiment at an FEL source each x-ray pulse was transmitted through a moving diffuser, which created a noncorrelated speckled beam. This beam was then split in two identical branches by introducing a beam splitter in the form of a transmission grating. In one of these branches the sample was positioned. We demonstrate the possibility of image formation, a double bar in our case, in the beam that has never interacted with the sample. With this experiment we extend the quantum optics methodology to the FEL community.