Formation of high-aspect-ratio nanocavity in LiF crystal using a femtosecond X-ray free-electron laser pulse

S Sergey S. Makarov V Vasily V. Zhakhovsky S Sergey Yu. Grigoryev P Petr Chuprov T Tatiana A. Pikuz N Nail A. Inogamov V Victor A. Khokhlov Y Yuri V. Petrov E Evgeniy A. Perov V Vadim Shepelev T Takehisa Shobu A Aki Tominaga L Ludovic Rapp S Saulius Juodkazis M Mikako Makita M Motoaki Nakatsutsumi T Thomas R. Preston K Karen Appel Z Zuzana Konôpková (European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany) V Valerio Cerantola (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences DISAT) E Erik Brambrink J Jan-Patrick Schwinkendorf I István Mohacsi V Vojtech Vozda V Vera Hajkova T Tomas Burian J Jaromir Chalupsky L Libor Juha N Norimasa Ozaki R Ryosuke Kodama U Ulf Zastrau A Andrei V. Rode S Sergey A. Pikuz

Abstract

Abstract Recent research and development into the formation of nanoscale channels as a central component of nanofluidic biochip systems revolutionized the biological and chemical fields. Exploration of new pathways to form nanochannels is increasingly necessary to provide a new generation of analytical tools with accurate control of liquid fluid flow, high selectivity and increased mass flow rate. Here, we demonstrate that a single 9-keV pulse from X-ray free-electron-laser can form a nanoscale mm-long cavity in LiF. The laser-generated shock pressure results in channel formation with >1,000 length-to-diameter aspect ratio. The development of void is analyzed via continuum and atomistic simulations revealing a sequence of processes leading to the final long cavity structure. This work presents the study of mm-long nanochannel formation by a single high-brilliance X-ray free-electron laser pulse. With MHz repetition rate X-ray free electron laser opens a new avenue for the development of lab-on-chip applications in any material, including those non-transparent to optical lasers.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 16, Issue 1
Published December 17, 2025
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (33)

S

Sergey S. Makarov

V

Vasily V. Zhakhovsky

S

Sergey Yu. Grigoryev

P

Petr Chuprov

T

Tatiana A. Pikuz

N

Nail A. Inogamov

V

Victor A. Khokhlov

Y

Yuri V. Petrov

E

Evgeniy A. Perov

V

Vadim Shepelev

T

Takehisa Shobu

A

Aki Tominaga

L

Ludovic Rapp

S

Saulius Juodkazis

M

Mikako Makita

M

Motoaki Nakatsutsumi

T

Thomas R. Preston

K

Karen Appel

Z

Zuzana Konôpková

European XFEL, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany

V

Valerio Cerantola

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences DISAT

E

Erik Brambrink

J

Jan-Patrick Schwinkendorf

I

István Mohacsi

V

Vojtech Vozda

V

Vera Hajkova

T

Tomas Burian

J

Jaromir Chalupsky

L

Libor Juha

N

Norimasa Ozaki

R

Ryosuke Kodama

U

Ulf Zastrau

A

Andrei V. Rode

S

Sergey A. Pikuz