Microbeam
A microbeam is a beam of particles or photons whose cross-sectional diameter is on the micrometer scale, used to examine or modify a localized region of a sample. Microbeams may be produced from charged particle beams such as protons, helium or carbon ions, focused by magnetic or electrostatic optics, or from X-ray sources using advanced focusing crystals or lenses. The term encompasses both ion microbeams and X-ray microbeams.
In radiobiology, targeted microbeam irradiation enables delivery of radiation to single cells or subcellular regions while
In materials science and analytical chemistry, microbeams underpin techniques such as micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) and
Generation and delivery require precise beam optics and stable sources, high-precision positioning, and adequate shielding. Facilities
Limitations include instrumentation complexity, potential sample damage from high local doses, and the need for meticulous