title: The 3D-architecture of individual free silver nanoparticles captured by X-ray scattering.
abstract: The diversity of nanoparticle shapes generated by condensation from gaseous matter reflects the fundamental competition between thermodynamic equilibration and the persistence of metastable configurations during growth. In the kinetically limited regime, intermediate geometries that are favoured only in early formation stages can be imprinted in the finally observed ensemble of differently structured specimens. Here we demonstrate that single-shot wide-angle scattering of femtosecond soft X-ray free-electron laser pulses allows three-dimensional characterization of the resulting metastable nanoparticle structures. For individual free silver particles, which can be considered frozen in space for the duration of photon exposure, both shape and orientation are uncovered from measured scattering images. We identify regular shapes, including species with fivefold symmetry and surprisingly large aspect ratio up to particle radii of the order of 100 nm. Our approach includes scattering effects beyond Born's approximation and is remarkably efficient-opening up new routes in ultrafast nanophysics and free-electron laser science.
authors: Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Universitätsplatz 3, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors: Ingo
authors: I
authors: Barke
authors: Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Universitätsplatz 3, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors: Hannes
authors: H
authors: Hartmann
authors: IOAP, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Rupp
authors: IOAP, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Leonie
authors: L
authors: Flückiger
authors: IOAP, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Sauppe
authors: IOAP, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Marcus
authors: M
authors: Adolph
authors: 1] IOAP, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany [2] Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Schorb
authors: 1] Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA [2] PULSE Institute, Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Bostedt
authors: FLASH, DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Rolf
authors: R
authors: Treusch
authors: Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Universitätsplatz 3, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Peltz
authors: Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Universitätsplatz 3, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Bartling
authors: Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Universitätsplatz 3, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Fennel
authors: Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Universitätsplatz 3, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors: Karl-Heinz
authors: KH
authors: Meiwes-Broer
authors: IOAP, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Möller
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