Kirkpatrick-Baez Mirror

A Kirkpatrick-Baez (K-B) mirror system uses two precisely aligned curved mirrors positioned at right angles to each other to focus X-ray beams. Unlike traditional lenses, these mirrors reflect X-rays instead of refracting them, allowing for tight focusing of high-energy beams used in scientific and medical applications. By carefully shaping and aligning the mirrors, the system can concentrate X-rays into a very small, intense spot, improving image resolution or experimental precision. This setup is essential in facilities like synchrotrons, where controlling X-ray focus is critical for studying materials at tiny scales.