Abstract: The advent of diffraction-limited X-ray sources ushers in an era of materials research in which coherent photons can be used to encode heterogeneities and dynamics in a wide range of quantum and functional materials. For realistic materials and devices, such dynamics often cover decades of length and time scales. Exploring the vast spatiotemporal parameter space to obtain insights into materials requires novel experimental and analysis approaches.
In this talk we present our recent progress harnessing the power of X-ray imaging tools — scanning nano diffraction, X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and dark field X-ray microscopy. Examples include the heterogeneous distribution and evolution of nanoscale domains in materials from relaxor ferroelectrics to van der Waals materials. We outline opportunities and challenges from the extremely brilliant coherent X-ray sources, such as the upgraded APS, and discuss what these mean for the next generation of light sources.