Universal mask for hard X rays

The penetrating power of X rays underpins important applications such as medical radiography. However, this same attribute makes it challenging to achieve flexible on-demand patterning X-ray beams. One possible path goal is ``ghost projection'', a method which may be viewed reversed form classical ghost imaging. This technique employs multiple exposures, single illuminated non-configurable mask that transversely displaced number specified positions, create any desired pattern. An experimental proof-of-concept given for idea, using hard rays. written pattern arbitrary, up tunable constant offset, and its spatial resolution limited by both (i) the finest features present in (ii) inaccuracies positioning exposure time. In principle, could used make universal lithographic hard-X-ray regime. Ghost projection might also dynamically-configurable beam-shaping element, namely equivalent light modulator. underpinning principle can applied gamma rays, neutrons, electrons, muons, atomic Our approach beam shaping gives potentially useful means manipulate fields.