Imaging biological specimens with high-intensity soft x rays

I compare alternative techniques for x-ray imaging of biological specimens on the basis of (1) transverse and longitudinal resolution, (2) depth of field, (3) choice of recording medium, and (4) recording efficiency. I show that, for all imaging techniques, the dosages suffered by specimens are so high that the living state cannot be preserved, nor can the structural integrity of the specimen be maintained in the usual sense. I demonstrate the remarkable fact that, at sufficiently high intensity, an image of diffraction-limited resolution can be captured before the specimen is obliterated.