Parabolic refractive X-ray lenses

Parabolic refractive X‐ray lenses are optical components, especially suitable for third‐generation synchrotron radiation sources. This article describes the status of the development of our lenses and illustrates the possibilities for micrometre and submicrometre focusing and for X‐ray imaging in absorption and phase contrast. The parabolic lens profile ensures distortion‐free imaging of high quality. First characteristics of Be lenses are given. A microscope based on Be lenses is expected to have a lateral resolution below 80 nm.