A stand‐alone compact EUV microscope based on gas‐puff target source

We report on a very compact desk‐top transmission extreme ultraviolet (EUV) microscope based on a laser‐plasma source with a double stream gas‐puff target, capable of acquiring magnified images of objects with a spatial (half‐pitch) resolution of sub‐50 nm. A multilayer ellipsoidal condenser is used to focus and spectrally narrow the radiation from the plasma, producing a quasi‐monochromatic EUV radiation (λ = 13.8 nm) illuminating the object, whereas a Fresnel zone plate objective forms the image. Design details, development, characterization and optimization of the EUV source and the microscope are described and discussed. Test object and other samples were imaged to demonstrate superior resolution compared to visible light microscopy.     

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TOMATOES AS RELATED TO PUNCTURE INJURY SUSCEPTIBILITY

The relation between mechanical properties of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and puncture injury susceptibility was investigated using two cultivars: Tradiro, which is moderately resistant and Blitz, which is very susceptible. Mechanical properties were determined using a universal testing machine and an acoustic firmness sensor. The susceptibility to puncture injury was measured by a pendulum test. By means of Partial Least Squares analysis (PLS), a relationship with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.78 was found between the mechanical properties and the puncture injury susceptibility of the tomato cultivar. High loadings were found for the force required to puncture the tomato with and without skin, the elasticity of the fruit, the toughness of the skin and the acoustic firmness of the tomato fruit, indicating that these mechanical properties affect the susceptibility to puncture injury. The obtained results directly imply that these mechanical properties should be used to screen for genotypes with lower susceptibility to puncture injury.